Extension Granted to Abuse Inquiry

UTV
February 3, 2015

http://www.u.tv/News/Extension-granted-to-abuse-inquiry/244c8e61-8353-429c-be24-50af3be8adb0

The Historical Abuse Inquiry began one year ago. (© PA)

The inquiry had originally hoped to finish taking evidence by June 2015, and was scheduled to complete its report and present it to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister by January 2016.

The request was made due to the heavy workload involved and was granted on Tuesday at the Assembly.

It is now expected that Sir Hart, a former senior judge, will present his report in January 2017.

The inquiry is examining the extent of wrongdoing in a number of institutions - including industrial schools, workhouses, and borstals. Many of which were run by religious orders.

Speaking at Stormont after the vote, Patrick Corrigan, of Amnesty International NI, welcomed the move.

However, he called for the Executive to address the consequences of the extension.

"In the interests of truth and justice, it is essential that the Inquiry has the time needed to investigate all the allegations of abuse and to hear from the huge number of victims who have come forward.

"But one consequence of the extension is that the prospect of redress for victims has now been further postponed."

For many victims of advanced age, there is a real possibility that they may never live to see justice or receive any form of compensation.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International

He added: "Ministers should now move to establish an appropriate redress scheme for victims, without waiting for Sir Anthony to deliver his report in two years' time. In the Republic of Ireland a redress scheme was established in parallel with the inquiry and that is what should now happen for victims in Northern Ireland.

Mr Corrigan, the human rights charity's Programme Director for NI, believes ministers should also set up an inquiry for victims who are not covered by the present inquiry - such as those abused in Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes, and clerical child abuse victims.

"Previously they have been told that there will be no consideration of their cases until after the end of the Hart Inquiry. With that inquiry with two years still to run, it is unjust to ask those who are not included within its remit, to wait before Ministers will consider an inquiry into their abuse," he said.