Historical Institutional Abuse apology: victims told 'When you sought our help to prevent physical or sexual abuse, we did not believe you'
Last updated 11th Mar 2022
Historical abuse victims and survivors also received an apology from various institutions across Northern Ireland.
Cornelia Walsh, from the Sisters of Nazareth, said they were offering a "heartfelt apology" to victims.
"We recognise your pain and the long-awaited journey you have travelled to reach this day."
"When you sought our help to prevent physical or sexual abuse, we did not believe you," she told those listening at the Assembly.
"There are no acceptable excuses. We are sorry."
Br Francis Manning, from De La Salle, specifically acknowledged failings at Rubane and St Patrick's Training School.
He said his organisation accepted that there were children in their care "subjected to physical and sexual abuse, and to excessive physical
punishment".
"We accept that we had a responsibility to prevent this abuse occurring and acknowledge that we did not take sufficient action to investigate allegations of abuse and ensure prosecution where appropriate.
"These serious failures are a matter of profound regret to the De La Salle brothers.
"We recognise that fear, shame and punishment were experienced, and that there were those who have carried this trauma throughout their lives.
"For our part, we wish to say we are sorry and wish to offer our sincere apology," he concluded.
Uainin Clarke, from Sisters of St Louis, accepted the findings that a "harsh regime" existed in St Joseph'sTraining School, Middletown.
"We are indeed sorry for this."
"To those of you who suffered at any time while at St Joseph's and are still carrying that pain, we say we are especially sorry that when you were a child or a teenager, you did not always feel safe or believed while at St Joseph's."
Meanwhile, the Rev Mark Jones, representing the Irish Church Missions, said his organisation had run the Manor House Home in Lisburn.
He offered a profound apology to victims of sexual abuse.
He said: "These were crimes that could have been detected and should have been prevented.
"We recognise that such violations robbed you of your childhood and that you continue to live with the consequences to this day."
He apologised for the "treatment of bed-wetters' in the 1940s, co-operating in the sending of boys to Australia in November 1950 under the Child Migrants Scheme and the poor condition of the home in the 1950s".