Abuse inquiry in North to focus on 35 facilities

A State inquiry into historical institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland will initially investigate 35 residential facilities.

The locations comprise 15 state-run children’s homes, 13 institutions run by Catholic Church orders, four borstals or training schools, and three institutions run by Protestant denominations or voluntary sector organisations.

Chairman of the inquiry Anthony Hart revealed the number as he appealed for more abuse victims to come forward to tell their stories.

The statutory probe was set up by the Northern Ireland Executive to investigate institutions run by the State and church and also those owned by the private sector or voluntary bodies from 1922 to 1995.

More than 175 people have so far contacted the inquiry to outline their experiences in care, with around 90 interviewed to date. Allegations made so far have led to the light being shone on 35 facilities.

But if more victims come forward and make claims, more institutions could be examined.

To date the inquiry has identified more than 170 facilities which operated during the time-period, including children’s homes, orphanages, industrial schools, workhouses, borstals, hospital units and schools for children with disabilities.