Inquiry hears 1 in 5 boys at Co Down children's home say they were abused

It also heard that paedophile priest, Father Brendan Smyth, was among the offenders.

AN INQUIRY EARLIER today was told that one in five former residents of a children’s home in Co Down were sexually abused.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry is examining allegations made about Rubane House in Kircubbin.

The home was ran by the De La Salle religious order from 1950 to 1985 and its residents were mostly boys aged 11-16. It’s one of 13 Northern Ireland institutions being investigated.

BBC reports that 55 of the 1,050 former residents have come forward to the inquiry to allege they were physically or sexually assaulted, while a further 150 boys made allegations in the past but have not contacted the inquiry.

Some children required hospital treatment for injuries that could 'never be justified' in terms of lawful corporal punishment. #hiainquiry
— Joanne Fleming (@JoanneFleming8) September 29, 2014

Joanne Fleming / Twitter

The inquiry has heard that the paedophile priest, Father Brendan Smyth, was among the offenders.

First published 2.34pm

Read: Child sex abuse survivors far more likely to be disabled, poor and live alone in later life>

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