Witness Seeks Apology for Child Migrants

UTV
September 8, 2014

http://www.u.tv/News/Witness-seeks-apology-for-child-migrants/aa750b79-795c-4ff8-a0b6-3e0d37dc389b

The woman, who was at Nazareth house in Londonderry when she was transported, told the inquiry that when she first arrived in the country she was told she was there to "fill the empty cradles of Australia".

She also described how she was part of a child labour force.

Giving evidence by video link, the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she wanted justice and for someone to be held accountable for the deaths of her two brothers - who took their own lives.

She said added that to send children 30,000 miles across the ocean - to take away their family and identity and leave them with nothing but abuse - is wrong.

The inquiry resumed last week and over a three-week period will be hearing evidence from 50 people who are now living in Australia - many suffered physical and sexual abuse.

Approximately 140 young children were sent to Australia from Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1955 as part of the child migration programme.

Brendan McCloat, now 68, told the hearing via video link that he was sent away as a child with 13 other boys in 1957.

He described how the physical and sexual abuse had an adverse effect on his life for 30 years.

Mr McCloat told the inquiry it was only when he had returned to Ireland and saw his surname on a family headstone; "I felt as if I belonged...until then - even after meeting my mum - I was nobody."

A number of written statements were also read out - one witness described how he had attempted to take his own life six times and he directly relates those suicide attempts to his time in institutions.

He described his time at Termonbacca boys' home in Londonderry as frightening,the nuns as 'vicious' and added that he has lived with depression all his life.

Another witness compared the selection process for the migrant scheme to a raffle. He told the inquiry how he was bundled onto a ship like a herd of cattle and when his mum, who visited him at the home at time, asked about him she was simply told he had gone to Australia and it was none of her business.

The HIA Inquiry was set up last year and is expected to hear from more than 300 witnesses.

A total of 13 institutions in Northern Ireland are currently under investigation by the Inquiry in relation to allegations of historical institutional abuse and/or neglect.

It has a remit to investigate child abuse which occurred in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period up to 1995.