Nuns who 'violently' attacked children in care avoid jail

Two nuns who admitted abusing children at a care home in the 70s and 80s have avoided jail sentences.

Marie O'Gorman, 79, and Mary McGuire, 68, targeted eight vulnerable children at Nazareth House in Glasgow's Cardonald area.

Both pleaded guilty to various charges earlier this month - including what a sheriff described as "violent" attacks. They hit children with belts, a hairbrush and a slipper.

Sheriff Louise Arrol KC imposed a probation order on both women, despite the custodial threshold being met. She said the sentencing - which includes both women paying £1,000 to each victim - was an appropriate alternative to jail.

McGuire, of Lochore, Fife, was ordered to do 225 hours of unpaid work and put under supervision for two years.

O'Gorman, who now resides in County Cork, Ireland, was placed under supervision for two years.

Both women have been deemed unsuitable to work with children.

Sheriff Arrol stated that Nazareth House was supposed to be a place of safety, security and comfort but did not provide this.

She said: "Miss McGuire was a novice and Miss O'Gorman, you had made full vows. Both of you had responsibility of caring for children who desperately required love and support. You failed to provide that.

"You both engaged in violent, humiliating and degrading behaviour. You were in a position of responsibility which you used to abuse these vulnerable children over a period of years."

The sentencing was also told that McGuire had essentially "lied" to the author of her background reports as to her guilt in her crimes.

Sheriff Arrol said the true picture was that McGuire had been "nothing short of monstrous to the victims."

Glasgow Sheriff Court previously heard O'Gorman - described as a "disciplinarian" of the home - began her services at the Sisters of Nazareth congregation in 1963.

She struck several children with various objects, including a leather harness, a slipper and a leather belt.

One victim recalled if she wet the bed, O'Gorman would take her to the bathroom, force her to stand in a freezing bath and pour cold water on her.

The same victim was made to wear a nappy in front of other children.

The court heard McGuire joined the congregation in 1975 and then worked at Nazareth House between 1979 and 1981.

She went on to strike multiple children with a belt in that time period. In one case the punishment was for a girl losing a sandal while on a seaside trip to Girvan.

Another incident saw her strike a 16-year-old girl on the back of her head with a hairbrush, saying it was due to her misbehaving in a chapel.

The court heard that McGuire has left the nunnery after 1981 and has spent the last 40 years as a care worker.

McGuire's lawyer told the sentencing that his client "copped up" what she told her social work background report.

Sheriff Arrol replied: "This report was disgraceful, I have never read a report as disgraceful as this. There was no remorse, she said she didn't do it and said that she was the victim. It's appalling."

Paul Hannah, defending O'Gorman, stated she had done things that had harmed her victims and that there was "a culture of this behaviour at Nazareth House" at the time.