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13/01/2014
Historical Abuse Inquiry Begins
Hearings into historical child abuse in Church and state-run institutions in Northern Ireland are to begin today.
The Inquiry will commence its oral hearings in the former Banbridge Courthouse on at 14:00.
The oral hearings will begin with an opening statement by the inquiry chairman Sir Anthony Hart, followed by an opening statement by Christine Smith QC, Senior Counsel to the Inquiry.
The hearings today will initially focus on Institutions at Termonbacca and Sisters of Nazareth, Bishop Street L'Derry.
The inquiry will seek to examine the extent of abuse at institutions including industrial schools, workhouses and borstals. Many such institutions were Church-run and consequently evaded detection.
This new inquiry was ordered by Northern Ireland's ministerial executive after large-scale abuse was uncovered in the Republic of Ireland and claims of mistreatment were made in Northern Ireland.
The panel will investigate whether sexual, emotional or physical harm was inflicted upon children and whether there were systemic failings by institutions or the state in their duties towards children.
The inquiry will focus on the years between 1922 and 1995.
More than 300 witnesses from across Ireland, Australia and Great Britain are expected to give evidence.
The inquiry hopes to finish taking evidence by June 2015.
A report is to be submitted to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister by January 2016.
(IT/CD)
The Inquiry will commence its oral hearings in the former Banbridge Courthouse on at 14:00.
The oral hearings will begin with an opening statement by the inquiry chairman Sir Anthony Hart, followed by an opening statement by Christine Smith QC, Senior Counsel to the Inquiry.
The hearings today will initially focus on Institutions at Termonbacca and Sisters of Nazareth, Bishop Street L'Derry.
The inquiry will seek to examine the extent of abuse at institutions including industrial schools, workhouses and borstals. Many such institutions were Church-run and consequently evaded detection.
This new inquiry was ordered by Northern Ireland's ministerial executive after large-scale abuse was uncovered in the Republic of Ireland and claims of mistreatment were made in Northern Ireland.
The panel will investigate whether sexual, emotional or physical harm was inflicted upon children and whether there were systemic failings by institutions or the state in their duties towards children.
The inquiry will focus on the years between 1922 and 1995.
More than 300 witnesses from across Ireland, Australia and Great Britain are expected to give evidence.
The inquiry hopes to finish taking evidence by June 2015.
A report is to be submitted to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister by January 2016.
(IT/CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
