Reputations of many ‘good nuns’ ruined, says ex-Termonbacca boy

NORTHERN IRELAND
Derry Journal

A former resident of a boys’ home in Derry says he’s furious that the reputations of many “good nuns” have been ruined as a result of false allegations of abuse.

Bernard McEldowney, a retired policeman, spent 18 years under the care of the Sisters of Nazareth in Derry, the majority of which was spent at St Joseph’s Boys’ Home, Termonbacca.

Mr. McEldowney spoke out after the publication of the report of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry which investigated child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-years period, up to 1995.

A former senior policeman in England, Mr. McEldowney gave evidence to the HIA anonymously in 2014 but later waived his right to anonymity to voice his concerns.

He told the ‘Journal’ yesterday that, “like many former residents of Termonbacca, I had a wonderful childhood at Termonbacca and will always be grateful to the nuns who cared for me for all those years.

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