Prosecutors find ‘no crime’ at mass grave orphanage

THERE is ‘no evidence’ of crime at an orphanage believed to have buried hundreds of children in a mass grave, prosecutors have revealed.

An investigation found that at least 400 youngsters from Smyllum Park, Lanark, are thought to have been dumped in an unmarked section of the town’s St Mary’s Cemetery.

The orphanage, run by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, was home to more than 10,000 children between its opening in 1864 and 1981 closure.

An investigation by the BBC and a Sunday newspaper uncovered the mass grave allegations.

Analysis of death records indicates that most of the children who died while living there died of natural causes from diseases common at the time, such as TB, pneumonia and pleurisy.

But prosecutors and police have said there is ‘no evidence’ that any deaths need investigating. A joint statement from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Police Scotland said: ‘[We] recognise the level of public concern following media reports about Smyllum Park home, including reports that children were buried in unmarked graves. Based on the information available, there is no evidence to suggest a crime has been committed, or that any deaths require to be investigated, but that position will be kept under review. Any allegations of criminality will be thoroughly and sensitively investigated.’

Smyllum Park is one of the institutions being examined as part of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

Representatives of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul gave evidence to the inquiry in June and said they could find no evidence of abuse.

The order said: ‘Our values are totally against any form of abuse and thus we offer our most sincere and heartfelt apology to anyone who suffered any form of abuse while in our care.’

Childhood Minister Mark McDonald was questioned on the grave claims at Holyrood by the SNP’s Clare Haughey.

He said it was of great public concern and highlighted bereavement and child abuse support services funded by the Scottish Government.

He added that prosecutors and the abuse inquiry were the correct bodies to deal with the matter.

Mr McDonald said: ‘Any action for the Scottish Government could only follow through proper consideration through these channels first.’

He said burials in private ground during the period the orphanage was open were covered by a law dating back to 1855.

He added that there was no requirement for private burial authorities to keep a register of grave plots.