Executive Officer Appoints New Truth Recovery Independent Panel

A new 10-person Independent Panel has been appointed to progress the work of the Truth Recovery Programme, the Executive Office has announced.

Establishment of the Independent Panel was a key recommendation in the Truth Recovery Design Panel's Report on Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in NI, which was published in October 2021.

The report outlined the need for an integrated truth investigation which consisted of an Independent Panel and a Statutory Public Inquiry.

The following people have been appointed to the Independent Panel as Expert Members across six areas of expertise:

• Leanne McCormick and Sean O'Connell – Social and Oral History / Co-Chairs

• Patricia Canning - Sociology of Discrimination and Gender-based Violence

• Beverley Clarke – Trauma Informed Practice

• Mark Farrell – Archiving

• Colin Smith – International Human Rights Law and Domestic Law

• Steven Smyrl – Genealogy

Dr Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O'Connell, both of whom have significant experience and expertise in this area, will share the role of Chair of the Independent Panel.

The following people have been appointed to the Independent Panel as Victim-Survivor representatives: Maria Cogley; Paul McClarey; and Roisin McGlone.

The Victim-Survivor representatives will enhance the Panel's understanding and appreciation of the experience of former residents, adoptees and their families and help to ensure a Victim-Survivor centred approach.

Dr Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary of The Executive Office, said: "I would like to congratulate the newly appointed members of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel.

"The Independent Panel appointments are a critical part of the integrated truth recovery investigation. The experience and expertise of the appointees reflects the importance of this work, which will be underpinned by a victim-survivor centred approach.

"This work will be critical to supporting and shaping not only the future statutory public inquiry but other elements of the Truth Recovery Programme which are progressing in parallel."

Dr Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O'Connell, Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel, said: "We are delighted to be appointed Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel.

"A primary role of the Independent Panel is to provide those with direct experience of the institutions and practices, an opportunity to provide their testimonies in a non-adversarial, supported, and if requested, confidential way.

"We appreciate the importance, impact and responsibility of the Independent Panel and our roles. We look forward to working with victims and survivors and with the rest of the Panel to support access to truth, acknowledgement and accountability."

The Independent Panel will complete its work within 24 months – a key focus will be primary research via oral testimonies before presentation of findings, analysis and conclusions.