Three women involved in historical abuse against children at care homes have been sentenced, with one former nun receiving a 15-month jail term for her shocking actions. Carol Buirds, 75, also known as Sister Carmel Rose, was found guilty of 13 charges, including severe assault, such as rubbing urine-soaked bedding on children and using implements like a belt and a stick to harm them. The abuse occurred at homes run by the Sisters of Nazareth in the early 1970s and early 1980s.
Eileen McElhinney, 78, known as Sister Mary Eileen, and former support worker Dorothy Kane, 68, were also convicted of subjecting children to cruel treatment over a nine-year period. McElhinney was found guilty of violent assaults on young children, while Kane was convicted of various abusive acts, including grabbing a boy by the hair and locking a child in a cupboard.
At the sentencing in Edinburgh Sheriff Court, McElhinney received a 12-month probation order, unpaid work, and a curfew, while Kane was ordered to perform community service. The prosecutors highlighted the seriousness of the sustained abuse and emphasized their commitment to addressing historic child abuse cases in Scotland.
One survivor expressed relief at seeing the perpetrators held accountable, describing her time at Nazareth House as filled with fear. She expressed gratitude for finally being heard and believed. Legal representatives for multiple survivors acknowledged the gravity of the abuse inflicted on young residents decades ago.