Child abuse commission hears of conflict in reports of abuse

THE Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse has heard claims that there is an “unbridgeable gulf” between the findings of school inspection reports and the personal experiences of children at former industrial schools run by the Sisters of Mercy.

Representatives of the religious order yesterday denied that the Sisters of Mercy ran “excessively harsh” regimes at St Vincent’s Industrial School, Goldenbridge, Dublin, and Our Lady of Succour Industrial School, Newtownforbes, Co Longford, despite claims by former residents that some children were regularly subjected to physical beatings.

However, lawyers for former residents who claim they suffered physical abuse at the schools said their experience contrasted with official reports by Department of Education inspectors which reported improvements and good childcare operations.