20/01/2017 BBC Newsline

A major inquiry into historical abuse of children in

Northern Ireland has found there was widespread mistreatment

at homes run by the state, the church and charities over

The inquiry's chair - Sir Anthony Hart -

recommended the Stormont Executive make an official apology,

and pay compensation of up to ?100,000 to each victim.

He also dismissed long-standing allegations that the security

services consipired in abuse at the notorious

Our reporter Kevin Sharkey has followed the inquiry's work since

The inquiry investigated the physical, emotional and sexual abuse

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

public hearings into a total of 22 of the homes. During its work, at

the inquiry sought evidence and vast amounts of historical evidence from

seven states, church, and charitable organisations. Today, a judgment on

that past. A long and painful journey from

troubled childhoods. Decades of suffering, years of campaigning,

today, a vindication. There are individuals who provided

excellent care, and there were others who were cruel and abusive.

Sexually, physically and emotionally, towards children for

whom the responsible. This abuse has affected many people for the rest of

their lives. Thousands of young people, toddlers

and teenagers, were placed into the institutions investigated by this

inquiry. Hundreds of others claim they were abused or neglected.

Victims and survivors of historical abuse can eventually pull the

curtain back over the shame of the last 73 years.

Here, here. The enquiry looked into a past, a

broken place. The ruins of countless damage lies and the scandal of

institutionalised abuse. We know that for the great majority

of applicants, this was the first time they had described the

experiences as children in residential care. Even in some cases

to members of their own family. The inquiry also investigated sexual

abuse at Kincora Boys' Home in east Belfast. Despite years of

speculation about a Secret Service conspiracy, the inquiry found no

evidence of a cover-up. We are satisfied that Kincora was

not a homicidal brothel, nor used by any of the security agencies as a

honeypot to entrap blackmail or otherwise exploit homosexuals.

The sessions were attended by men and women, elderly and infirm. Adult

lives scarred by the memories, echoes from their past demanding to

be heard. Describing those experiences were

not always easy. Indeed, at times, it was clearly distressing and

painful. Report describes a new start call

document on a bleak period in Northern Ireland's past. An often

harrowing and heartbreaking account of damage lies. The future,

according to the report says McGraw authors, has a duty to remember and

provide redress. The apologies should be a

wholehearted and unconditional recognition of the failure to

protect -- protect children from abuse that should've been protected

-- prevented undetected. It should be a reminder of what many

children experienced in residential care for stop we have provided a

detailed framework for the recommended compensation scheme, and

for the redress board that would administer the compensation scheme.

This was an investigation focusing on abuse, but not the inquiry praise

the good work of many people walking in the suggestions. The report is

now available to the public. We have urged -- urged the new

executive in the Assembly temperament are recommendations and

to do so as a matter of priority after the election. We believe those

who have waited for so long for their voices to be heard deserve

nothing less. With reaction to the findings

of the Historical Institutional Institution after institution, from

local authority homes to secular homes. Homes run by the Catholic

Church, and one by the Church of Ireland. 22 in total. Those in

charge have issued an apology, an apology to those abused in their

care. Barnardo's in the past have

expressed our deep regret for what happened in those particular

children. We have said yet, yes, we did feel to protect those particular

children at that particular time. Does is bring shame to Barnardo's?

I don't think you bring shame, because we did exercise our duty of

care when we realised we had problems. We approach the inquiry

with openness and have taken responsibility to bring about change

and learn from the lessons. The largest number of complaints

related to four Sisters of Nazareth homes, much of the abuse was known

to members of the clergy. The report finds nothing was done to stop the

abuse. The report was discussed were proprietors today.

I think all of us must accept the findings of this report, a operate

fully the new Northern Ireland Executive in ensuring that proper

reparation is made, and proper outreach to those who have been hurt

or traumatised by these awful things, that that happens.

The Department of Health has conceded systemic failings on the

half of its predecessor, specifically in connection to

legislation. The Health Minister said...

Bernardo say that, while lessons have been learned, organisations

cannot rest on their laurels. Any organisation that says there is

no risk is very unwise. I think what's important is to be constantly

vigilant and constantly learning and improving our standards.

The Department of Justice say the findings of the report are being

carefully examined. Any new lessons to emerge from it will be an cut

upon. 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. A man arrested on suspicion of her

murder remains in police custody. A postmortem examination is expected

to take place tomorrow. Police say a man has been arrested

in connection with recent social media posts that made serious

allegations against a It follows a series

of paramilitary-style The arrest followed the search

of a house in Sinn Fein are to reveal next Monday

who will replace Martin McGuinness. Politicians from across the board

have paid tribute to the former Deputy First Minister,

including the DUP MP Ian Paisley, who thanked him for his

contribution to peace. But how did that praise go

down in the DUP MP's We took to streets of

Ballymena to find out. I think it was measured. I think it

was of the time. It has to be said. I think it's hard to forget about

Martin's earlier life and what he did in that time will stop he's

never really come clean about that. A great deal of lettuce people in

this country, very few Christians. Mr Paisley showed he was a bridge in

last night. Did he go too far?

I would say yes. McGuinness, maybe he has tried his

best over the past ten years. Football man, Glentoran won three

now. After the recent gloom, we're

guaranteed something a little brighter. It is going to feel

chilly. We have night frost as well. A frosty one tonight, as the clouds

clear. Temperatures dropping to freezing, a couple of degrees or so

below that in rural areas. That will go slowly tomorrow, a lot of dry

weather, some sunshine too, and the best of that sunshine likely to be

in the morning time, before cloud starts to edge in in the afternoon.

A lot of sunshine, but cold after a frosty start tomorrow, applied

edging in from the North Sea into England. Also cloud from the south

west. This is likely to edge towards us in the early afternoon. The

bright and sunny spells coming through, but temperatures

struggling, only around 6 degrees. Cloudy on Sunday, some showers in

the east, mainly dry, but still quite chilly.

Our next BBC Newsline is at 5:20pm tomorrow afternoon, here on BBC One.