HIA inquiry hears nun was never prosecuted over complaints

The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry has heard a nun was never been prosecuted, despite complaints against her by former residents of Nazareth House and Nazareth Lodge care homes.

Giving evidence at the inquiry today, the nun said she had been interviewed by police several times since 1995, but the Public Prosecutions Service (PPS) never pursued a prosecution against her.

She also said she regreted not reporting claims of sexual abuse by the priest, Fr Brendan Smyth. He was later convicted of more than 100 child abuse charges.

She said she told police: “I did not report this to anyone, and in hindsight that was a mistake on my part. We were so naive in those days.”

The nun denies cruelty to children, but did admit the regime was “maybe too strict at times”.

The inquiry is examining child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland up to 1995.