Inquiry will probe burials at Smyllum orphanage

THE researcher who helped The Sunday Post’s landmark probe into deaths at the Smyllum Park orphanage has been asked to give evidence at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

In September, we revealed how up to 400 children died while under the care of a Catholic order of nuns at the Lanarkshire children’s home.

We found 402 babies, toddlers and teenagers who died there between 1864 and 1981 were feared to be buried in a single unmarked grave.

The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul had previously admitted they had put around 120 children in 158 lairs at St Mary’s cemetery in Lanark.

But the extent of deaths at the controversial home had never been revealed.

Lost children of Smyllum will be remembered at last but why has it taken so long?

Our research, done in partnership with the BBC and using accredited researcher Janet Bishop found 400 deaths at the home where burial records could not be found.

It led to claims dead children had been dumped in an unmarked grave.

The rate of deaths was estimated as being far higher than the norm.

Janet’s findings are to be part of an examination into allegations of abuse at Smyllum Park.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry will begin hearing evidence on Smyllum on November 28.