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Historical Abuse Inquiry: Nun 'beat girl black and blue' | Historical Abuse Inquiry: Nun 'beat girl black and blue' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The first female witness to give evidence to the Historical Abuse Inquiry said she was beaten by a nun until she was black and blue. | The first female witness to give evidence to the Historical Abuse Inquiry said she was beaten by a nun until she was black and blue. |
The woman, who is now 58, said she realised the nun enjoyed it when she cried so she stopped crying when she was hit. | The woman, who is now 58, said she realised the nun enjoyed it when she cried so she stopped crying when she was hit. |
She lived in Nazareth House in Bishop Street, Londonderry from 1957-1969. | She lived in Nazareth House in Bishop Street, Londonderry from 1957-1969. |
The inquiry is investigating abuse claims against children's residential institutions in NI from 1922 to 1995. | The inquiry is investigating abuse claims against children's residential institutions in NI from 1922 to 1995. |
The witness also told the inquiry she was sexually assaulted by two foster carers she was placed with. | The witness also told the inquiry she was sexually assaulted by two foster carers she was placed with. |
When she went back to the home and told the nuns, they said she was talking nonsense. | When she went back to the home and told the nuns, they said she was talking nonsense. |
The woman's evidence also included an allegation of being lined up for baths along with 100 other young girls, and of the same water being used to wash them all. | The woman's evidence also included an allegation of being lined up for baths along with 100 other young girls, and of the same water being used to wash them all. |
Searched | Searched |
She said she did not know she had a sibling in the home until one day, when she was six, another of the residents said to her: "I'm your big sister." | She said she did not know she had a sibling in the home until one day, when she was six, another of the residents said to her: "I'm your big sister." |
Her sister left the home aged 16, the witness claimed, and wanted to take her with her, but that she was too young to go. | Her sister left the home aged 16, the witness claimed, and wanted to take her with her, but that she was too young to go. |
She told the inquiry: "I've been trying to search for my sister for a long time since I left the convent but I just can't find her." | She told the inquiry: "I've been trying to search for my sister for a long time since I left the convent but I just can't find her." |
The woman said she also searched for her mother but has never found her either. | The woman said she also searched for her mother but has never found her either. |
She said she did not know what age she was or her birthday while she lived in the home. | She said she did not know what age she was or her birthday while she lived in the home. |
Fear of God | |
She also told how she discovered, three years ago, that she had three other siblings, a brother and two sisters, who had been raised by their grandparents. | She also told how she discovered, three years ago, that she had three other siblings, a brother and two sisters, who had been raised by their grandparents. |
On Monday afternoon, another former resident, who is now 46, told the inquiry that the nuns put the fear of God into him by locking him in a cupboard as punishment for truanting. | |
He said he was traumatised when a nun would not let him attend his mother's funeral. | |
"It was like she ripped my heart out," he said. | |
The Historical Abuse Inquiry also heard that children at the Sisters of Nazareth Home in Londonderry were routinely given scalding or freezing showers. | |
The inquiry, being held in Banbridge, County Down, is chaired by retired judge Sir Anthony Hart and is considering cases in 13 residential institutions. | The inquiry, being held in Banbridge, County Down, is chaired by retired judge Sir Anthony Hart and is considering cases in 13 residential institutions. |
Public hearings are due to finish in June 2015, with the inquiry team to report to the Northern Ireland Executive by the start of 2016. | Public hearings are due to finish in June 2015, with the inquiry team to report to the Northern Ireland Executive by the start of 2016. |