20/01/2017 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline.

After years of fighting to be heard, a major report into historic

institutional abuse says victims should receive an apology,

Today we are believed as young children who tried to complain about

our abuse but no one would listen. The chairman of the inquiry praised

the courage of the victims saying their evidence was sometimes

distressing and painful for them. We hope that, in some measure, the

process of giving evidence, whether acknowledged in private or in

public, helped those who were not listened to in the past.

A murder inquiry in Lurgan after the body of a woman

Supporters and opponents show unity after the resignation

We wouldn't be where we are in Northern Ireland, in terms of

stability, peace and the opportunity to rebuild our country if it hadn't

have been for the work that he did put in.

And, after the recent gloom, there'll be a bit more sun

In their own words, today was a "special,

"special day" for victims of historical child abuse.

After four years of hearings, the Historical Institutional Abuse

It investigated more than 60 residential homes and institutions,

looking into allegations dating back to the 1920s.

Today, the inquiry concluded that children were subjected

The official report outlines how abuse was inflicted

in institutions run by the state, local authorities,

The inquiry, chaired by retired High Court Judge Sir Anthony Hart,

says there should be a public apology to all those who suffered

abuse, a memorial at Stormont as a reminder to politicians

of what many children experienced in residential homes,

and compensation and support services for survivors.

Kevin Sharkey has been following the inquiry for BBC Newsline.

The Inquirer investigated the physical, emotional and sexual abuse

and neglect of children who were under 18 years of age. There were

public hearings into a total of 22 homes and institutions. The inquiry

sought evidence and fast amounts of historical documents from seven

state, church and charitable organisations. Today, a judgment on

that. The long and painful journey from troubled childhoods. Decades of

suffering, years of campaigning, today, the results. There were

individuals who provided excellent care. There were others who are

cruel and abusive, sexually, motioned me towards the children for

whom they were responsible. This abuse has affected many people for

the rest of their lives. Thousands of young people, toddlers and

teenagers were placed in the institutions investigated by this

inquiry. Hundreds claimed they were abused or neglected. The inquiry

listen to their voices, heard their anguish. Victims and survivors of

historical abuse can pull the curtain back over the shame of the

last 73 years. The inquiry looked into the past, burying the balloons

of countless damaged lives and the scandal of institutional abuse. We

know that for the great majority of applicants, this was the first time

they'd describe their experiences as children in residential care. Even

in some cases to members of the Roman family. The inquiry also

investigated sexual abuse at the former boys home in Belfast. Despite

years of investigation, the inquiry found no evidence of a cover up. We

are satisfied that it was not a homosexual brothel, nor used by any

of the security agencies as a honeypot to entrap, blackmail or

exploit homosexuals. The public hearings were attended by men and

women. Many old, elderly or confirmed. People recalling

childhoods stained by abuse, cruelty and neglect. Adult lives scarred by

the memories. Echoes from the past demanding to be heard. Describing

those experiences wasn't always easy. At times it was clearly

distressing and painful. The report provides a new historical document

on a bleak period in Northern Ireland's past. And an often

harrowing and heartbreaking account of damage childhoods. The future,

according to the report's authors, has a duty to remember and to

provide redress. The apology should be a wholehearted and unconditional

recognition that they failed to protect children from abuse that

could and should have been prevented or detected. A memorial should be

erected to remind legislators and others of what many children

experienced in residential care. We have provided a detailed framework

for the recommended compensation scheme. And for the re-dress board

that would administer the compensation scheme. This was an

investigation focusing on abuse but the inquiry acknowledge the good

work of many people working in the institutions. The report is now

available to the public but it has to be implemented by politicians. We

therefore urge the new executive and Assembly to give affect our

recommendations and to do so as a matter of priority after the

election. We believe those who have waited so long for their voices to

be heard deserve nothing less. Thank you very much.

The publication of the inquiry is the end of a long

Many have died and others live with the significant mental scars

BBC Newsline's Tara Mills has been speaking to some of them.

You may find some of the details in her report upsetting.

Margaret has been the public face of the victims but, privately, there is

a reason for her involvement in the campaign. Her brother and Kevin. At

62, he still lives in care. He has a learning difficulty which she

believes is directly related to what he suffered as a child. They

sexually abused me. Girls and boys. The abuse happened here, and there

was physical violence, too. I have straps on my back. So, the people

who were looking after you did that? Yes. Was it saw? I cried. Separated

when the mother left home, they were sent to different institutions. With

no bombs to parents or siblings, Kevin was particularly vulnerable to

abuse. He was misthrow pro -- mistaking these things the love.

That is all they had from these Kristian brothers and priests and

also boys, he understood it as love but it was rape of an innocent

child. Kevin didn't have to go to court. The inquiry came to his care

hope to hear the evidence. Nobody sees what goes on behind-the-scenes.

The politicians don't realise or the inquiry team, they are doing the

job. But this is the reality of how people's lives are affected. It

wasn't just the Catholic Church that had questions to answer at the

inquiry. Secrets of state abuse also had to be told. Every day, it's in

your mind. Ron Graham spent time at three boys homes. The abuse took

place at Kincora. My father had just passed away in December, in 74 or

75. I remember going into Kincora. There was something about the place.

I couldn't put my finger on it. Willie McGraw was sentenced to four

years for the crimes he committed against Ron another boys while

working as a housemaster. When McGraw approached me, it was in a

fatherly way. And I think he played on it emotionally. That was the

first time he raped me. So it was. I remember after that happened, he

said to me, clean yourself up. And don't say a word. So I did clean

myself up and I went out, walk to the cemetery... And I think the

police picked me up inside the cemetery. The children who ended up

in these institutions had already ensured the pain of loss, abuse or

neglect in their own homes. To then faced torture at the hands of the

Church or state is impossibly cruel. Most of these people want someone to

pay for what happened to them. With reaction to the findings of

the Historical Institutional Abuse Institution after institution, from

local authority homes to secular homes, homes run by the Catholic

Church and won by the Church of Ireland. 22 in total. Those in

charge have issued an apology, to those abused in their care. We

express our deep regret for what happened to those particular

children, and we have failed to protect those children at that

particular time. Does it bring shame to Barnardo 's? I don't think so

because we exercised duty of care when we realised we'd had problems.

We've approached the inquiry with openness. And taken responsibility

to bring about change and learn lessons. The largest number of

complaints related to for sister of Nazareth homes. Much of the sexual

abuse was known by the members of the clergy. The report found nothing

was done to stop the abuse. The report was discussed with Pope

Francis today. TRANSLATION: It isn't easy to hear but however unpalatable

it might be, I think all of us must accept the findings of this report,

and we must cooperate fully with the new Northern Ireland executive in

ensuring that proper reparation is made, to those that have been hurt

and traumatised by those things. The Department of Health has conceded

systemic failings on the part of its predecessor, specifically in

connection with legislation and inspection. The health minister

said... Barnardos say while lessons have

been learned, organisations cannot rest on their laurels. Any

organisation who says there is no risk is very unwise. I what is

important is to be constantly vigilant and constantly improving

standards, otherwise we're just complacent. The Department of

Justice say the findings of the report are being carefully examined.

Any new lessons to emerge from it will be acted upon.

You've sat in on these hearings for the last

four years and listened to at times

What do you think this inquiry has meant to the victims

Well, I suppose this evening that is the question because essentially

what happened today was the chairman of the inquiry, Sir Anthony Hart, he

passed the baton on to Stormont. It's now up to the politicians when

they get back together, if they get back together, to decide, number

one, when will there be that public apology, number two, when will that

memorial in the grounds of Stormont be put in place, and, number three,

when will the re-dress process and process of compensation be put in

place and when will the victims benefit from that compensation?

Because, at the end of the day, and at the end of this inquiry process,

let's not forget that this is about victims, about people, people who

travelled from different parts of not only Northern Ireland but

different parts of Ireland, the UK, and from as far away as Australia,

because many children were sent to Australia in the middle of the last

century. And during the last three years when I've been covering the

inquiry at the courthouse, day after day, I watched victims and survivors

walking through the doors of that courthouse in ones and twos and you

could see the pain and hurt etched on their faces. Today, there were

dozens of victims and survivors in a hotel in South Belfast and, for the

first time in all that time, I saw very many of them smile today. Thank

you very much. A murder investigation has begun

after the body of a woman was discovered at a house in Lurgan

early this morning. Police say she was

51-year-old Anita Downey. This report from

Michael Fitzpatrick. Police were called to this house in

Lurgan with the woman's body was found at around 2:50am. A man of the

same age was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned by

detectives. This is a quiet residential area around 100 yards or

so from the local high school in Lurgan. A woman living next door

says her young daughter was awoken in the early hours by the sound of

shouting and glass being smashed. People living here say they've been

left shocked at waking up to a crime scene on their doorstep. We're just

saddened by it. People get on well here but you don't want this to

happen anywhere, and my thoughts go out to the family because it is

somebody's loved one that has died. People's thoughts and prayers are

very much with the deceased's family. It's very sad news at the

start of the New Year to have a death of this nature. And certainly

I'd encourage anyone who has any information to come forward to the

PSNI. A postmortem examination is due to take place. A 51-year-old man

remains in police custody. Sinn Fein are to reveal next Monday

who will replace Martin McGuinness. Today, party president Gerry Adams

said the former Deputy First Minster Politicians from across the board

have all paid tribute to Mr McGuinness, including the DUP

MP Ian Paisley, who thanked him Here is Our Political

Correspondent Stephen Walker. A welcome for a man seen by many as

a local hero. Last night in his home city Martin McGuinness received much

praise. I've been to many famous places throughout the world but my

heart lies here. Political tributes have flowed from all sides,

including the Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and the local parties. The

DUP leaders said... There were other tributes from

parties, and one that stood out was from last night's BBC programme, The

View, from Ian Paisley. I want to say thank you and it is important we

reflect on the fact that we wouldn't be where we are in Northern Ireland

in terms of having stability, peace and the opportunity to rebuild our

country if it hadn't have been for the work that he put in, especially

with my father. Ian Paisley's comments provoked quite a reaction

on social media, and there were warm words from the DUP's political

rivals, including many Republicans. The TUV leader gave a different

response. He wrote... Talking about Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisley's DUP

colleague Gregory Campbell said, the regret is he didn't engage much

earlier in the peaceful path. Today, Gerry Adams said Martin McGuinness

had a life-threatening condition, and welcomed the tributes to him,

particularly the remarks from Ian Paisley, the North Antrim MP. I very

warmly welcome in Paisley's remarks, they were very appropriate and

fitting, and I think they are in many ways representative of the

great work that his father, Ian Paisley senior, did along with

Martin McGuinness. Sinn Fein must now contemplate life without Martin

McGuinness imposed. Tonight, Alicia McCallion will be selected to run in

his place in the Foyle constituency. He figures are also being tipped for

a leadership role, including the health minister. Then there's the

finance minister, and the former MP Conor Murphy. Sinn Fein will reveal

who will lead them at Stormont on Monday.

So, how has that praise of Martin McGuinness by Ian Paisley

gone down in the DUP MP's North Antrim constituency?

BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson has been sampling the mood in Ballymena.

Ian Paisley's office is in the heart of Ballymena, and on the street

outside, last night's interview was the big talking point. Did you see

Ian Paisley last night? What did you think? I thought he was brilliant.

ORE: Very good and very true. It was measured. It was of the time, it has

to be said. Did he go too far? May the some people. Not for you? Not

funny. There's a great deal of religious people here but not many

questions and Mr Paisley showed his Kristian Moss Side. Did he go too

far? I think so. I think, after all the years... I'm not being

religious, maybe if he had confessed to some of the things he'd done over

the years. What do you think of Martin McGuinness? Not much, to tell

you the truth. Good riddance. It's hard to forget about his earlier

life and what he did. And he hasn't really come clean about that.

McGuinness? Maybe he's tried his best over the last ten years. We

also gathered some opinions in Londonderry. He will be missed, I'm

not sure who will replace him. He did a good enough job at humility

has to come out, and they have to be sorry for the things they did

throughout the years. Back in Ballymena, an appeal to all

politicians to focus on the future, not the past. Protestant, Catholic,

where a mixed community and we have to live together. And the

fighting... We don't want that back. We definitely don't want it back.

The election is still six weeks away but it is already clear that many

voters have strong views. A troubled GP surgery

in Portadown is to be taken over The GP practice which has more

than 5,000 registered patients, faced closure after its last

remaining doctor resigned and on Monday a contractor

who was in negotiations to take it It's been another long week

in politics and the continuing fallout from the RHI scandal has

focused attention on the role They play a pivotal role in

the relationship between a minister, his department and party

but they rarely face The controversy over the RHI scheme

has shaken this place to its core and prompted an Assembly election.

It's also brought the role of special adviser into the limelight.

On Tuesday, the DUP special adviser in the Department of economy said he

was stepping aside from anything to do with the RHI scheme. It followed

revelations his father-in-law is a claimant. Yesterday, another DUP

SPAD was centre stage. Andrew has felt that given what occurred

yesterday and, indeed, today, that he was becoming a distraction.

Andrew Crawford resigned over allegations he influenced a decision

to keep the renewable heat scheme open. He denies any wrongdoing. What

is the role of the special adviser, and how much power do they have?

These are people who are appointed to be a friend of the minister,

somebody to advise him or her, to provide non-civil service view, to

give a political aspect to the decision-making. But many SPADs are

proxy ministers. I've dealt with them, and some are there to advise,

but others are running the show. This former STO Pete SPAD says it is

vital for good government. You could get a potential political row

brewing between two parties and quite often the SPADs can get

together and reason something out and come up with a compromise, take

it back to their political masters the decision. One journalist who's

followed events closely says the rule is important but there is room

for improvement. There's not much in terms of a code of conduct for

SPADs. There's a lot more secrecy around what they're paid. It's only

recently Stormont has agreed to publish exactly what these SPADs are

paid. There are more than anywhere else in the UK. With the rolling the

spotlight, some are suggesting reforms, when and if devolved

government returns. Now, pupils in two local

schools were doing some But while some were looking

back to the past, others were experiencing the classroom

of the future. Our Education correspondent

Robbie Meredith explains all. The first place we're going to go is

reared de Janeiro in Brazil. Pupils in this college are seeing the world

and beyond without leaving their classroom. It might seem high-tech

but it simple. It is images filmed with a special camera, downloaded

onto a phone, then seen as virtual reality through these cardboard

glasses. The original footage doesn't look exciting but it is

turned into an immersive all-round experience. You've been on the moon,

different planets. It isn't like talking or writing all the time. It

is more fun. The boys are going from the Philippines to Australia and we

are touching on a range of subjects with science, geography, ICT. From

the virtually real to the really real. At this school, it's the end

of a three-year progress restoring this World War II tank. It was

rusty, and it wasn't this lovely shade of green it is now. It was

falling apart a little bit. Looking back on it and thinking what it's

done through the years and how it was brought back, it's fascinating

to figure out the back story to it. To schools, one looking back, one to

the future. Now the weather.

After the gloomy skies, the promise of something brighter heading into

the weekend, some sunshine at times, particularly tomorrow. A lot of dry

weather in the forecast as well but it'll be chilly. We will have some

light frosts around. It started out frosty this morning in parts of the

north-west. It turned into a lovely sunrise before the cloud came

rolling in. Through the afternoon, the cloud has moved away northwards

and it'll continue to erode away through this evening and overnight.

Grey skies, falling temperatures, Whiteley down to freezing and minus

three minus four in the countryside. Quite a sharp frost, white bread

with mist and fog as well. Tomorrow looks like the fine day, spells of

sunshine, the best of those during the frosty morning. The fog

eventually lifting as well. It is the afternoon, the cloud moves in

from the south, still dry, brighter spells but cold. If you're heading

along to the king span stadium tomorrow, it is dry and bright but

you'll need the layers. Tomorrow night, we have a bit more cloud than

tonight. Nevertheless, still cold, still places heading around zero.

They could be an icy patch, and more cloud on Sunday compared to

tomorrow. More showers towards the east. Other than that, dry. A few

bright spells but it is still pretty cold.

Not too bad. You can also keep in contact with us

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