‘Victim of brutality by nuns’ is paid £50k

A WOMAN who claims she was repeatedly beaten by nuns and forced to bathe in barely diluted disinfectant at a Belfast children’s home is to receive a £50,000 payout.

The settlement was announced at the High Court in a case which also involved allegations she was fed food unfit for human consumption.

The woman, who is not being identified, sued the Sisters of Nazareth over her treatment while in their care decades ago.

Her lawyers claimed she was subjected to assaults, neglect and humiliation at Nazareth House.

It was alleged she endured repeated beatings with a leather strap, stick and bunch of keys.

She claimed fingernails were pressed into her arms and wrists, and clumps of hair pulled out.

Papers in the case alleged she was forced to remain outdoors for lengthy periods in extremely cold weather while inadequately clothed, and that she was at times kept alone inside an unlit cupboard.

In court yesterday, however, the plaintiff ’s barrister, Patrick Lyttle QC, confirmed the terms of a resolution had been reached.

Her case has been settled for £50,000 plus costs, Mr Justice Maguire was told.

There is no admission of liability by the defendants.

Following the outcome, the woman’s solicitor insisted the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry’s recommendations for compensation for victims and survivors must be implemented. Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law said: “Given the ongoing failure of the Secretary of State to implement a redress package for Survivors and Victims in NI, we have no option than to litigate these matters before the courts.”