Claims of abuse lies are ‘deeply hurtful’

CLAIMS that people who were kept in State institutions as children are lying about being abused so they can get compensation are “deeply hurtful”, a former orphanage resident said yesterday.

A group called LOVE (Let Our Voices Emerge), which supports the religious who worked in the homes, claims people are making false allegations to win settlements.

Group founder Florence Horsman-Hogan says her stay in St Joseph's Industrial School in Ballinasloe, County Galway, was a positive experience, and she believes there is a witch-hunt against religious orders.