NORTHERN IRELAND
BBC News

A middle-aged man has defended nuns who cared for him as an orphan at the Nazareth Lodge care home in Belfast.

Giving evidence at the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA), the witness said he “never witnessed any violence or abuse by nuns”.

However, he said he was beaten by two domestic workers who deny the claims.

The inquiry is examining allegations of child abuse in children’s homes and other residential institutions in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 1995.

Paying tribute to the Sisters of Nazareth, the witness said he was “grateful for their care and support” during the first 10 to 11 years of his life and said he thought “very fondly” of the nuns.

Another witness claimed he was beaten by one nun against whom other allegations of cruelty have been made.