Smyllum abuse inquiry to hear more home claims

THE brother of a toddler who died at Smyllum Park children’s home in Lanark is to give evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry this week.

Leon Carberry, a former police officer in Australia, where he lives, is one of 16 witnesses the inquiry will hear from when it starts again.

The hearing will include more evidence from former residents at the controversial Lanarkshire orphanage, run by the Daughters of Charity of Vincent de Paul.

The inquiry will also hear from residents at another home ran by the Daughters of Charity – Bellevue House in Rutherglen.

Daughter of Charity representatives are also expected to give evidence to the inquiry, led by Lady Smith.

Four witnesses, including Leon, will give evidence via statements given to the inquiry team.

Last September, we revealed how up to 400 babies, toddlers and children who had been residents at Smyllum Park were feared to be buried in a mass unmarked grave at St Mary’s Cemetery in Lanark.

Our probe found David Carberry, who died at just four in 1955, was one of those dead kids.

The inquiry previously heard a former resident claim David was beaten “quite badly” before he died.

Leon, who has described his own stay at Smyllum as “hell”, wants answers about his brother’s death.