Three women convicted of abusing children at former orphanage
Three women were yesterday, Wednesday, 13 December, 2023, found guilty of cruel and unnatural treatment of children who were under their care at the former orphanage, Smyllum Park, in Lanark.
At Airdrie Sheriff Court, following a trial which lasted six weeks, Sister Sarah McDermott, 79, carer Margaret Hughes, 76, and Sister Eileen Igoe, 79, were found guilty of the charges relating to children in their care.
The incidents happened at the orphanage between 1969 and 1981 while children were in the care of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. The victims included boys and girls.
Detective Inspector Jim McLauchlan said: “This has been a complex case and I would like to commend the courage of survivors who have had to recall and revisit traumatic periods of their lives during the trial.
“Orphaned children were placed in the care of those running Smyllum House which was supposed to be a place of safety. The punishments and cruelty they suffered at such a young age was incomprehensible and has affected many of the survivors throughout their lives.
“Investigating events from decades ago presents challenges and it can sometimes only be with hindsight that people recogise that what happened to them was abuse. Police Scotland has highly trained, specialist officers, across the country who can investigate such offences and, working with partners, ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
“The police response to reports of childhood abuse has evolved significantly over the years and we would like to reassure survivors that we are committed to investigating all reports regardless of when it happened, where it took place or who was involved. We will listen, we will investigate and we will take prompt action to ensure that no-one else is at risk of harm. We would ask anyone wishing to report abuse to contact us on 101.”
McDermott, Hughes, and Igoe are due to be sentenced at a later date.
