Three women convicted in connection with cruelty and assaults at Sisters of Nazareth homes in Scotland

Three woman have been convicted in connection with child cruelty and assaults in the 1970s and 1980s at two homes run by the Sisters of Nazareth in Scotland.

Eileen McElhinney, aged 78, Carol Buirds, aged 75, and Dorothy Kane, aged 68, were convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 28 November, 2025.

They will be sentenced at a later date.

The offences took place between 1972 and 1981 at children’s homes in Lasswade, Midlothian, and in Kilmarnock.

Detective Inspector Lynn McPhail, senior investigating officer from Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “This was a harrowing and complex investigation, and I hope these convictions bring some form of closure for those who were treated inhumanely.

“I would like to thank the victims for coming forward. It is never easy, even with the passage of time, to talk about these kinds of experiences.

“The acts carried out by these women towards children they were supposed to be taking care of and protecting, were horrendous.

“Their behaviour included kicking, punching and pushing children, hitting them with objects, locking a child in a room without food or water, forcing one to eat soap, and making others take cold showers.

“I would also like to thank all the officers who worked on this investigation and commend them for their dedicated work alongside partners to bring these women to justice.

“I urge anyone who has experienced abuse to come forward, regardless of the passage of time. We have specialist officers you can speak to.

“Anyone with information or concerns about child abuse should call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”