BishopAccountability.org
	Assembly Backs the Victims with Call for a Thorough Investigation Belfast Telegraph November 3, 2009 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/assembly-backs-the-victims-with- call-for-a-thorough-investigation-14547934.html The Executive has been urged to examine the scale of child abuse in Catholic Church and state-run institutions in the province. Yesterday the Assembly gave its backing to a motion brought by SDLP MLA Carmel Hanna that called for a full investigation. Her motion won majority support despite attempts by the DUP to press for an amendment removing references to cross-border co-operation. It came hours after campaigners had gathered outside Parliament Buildings to present a petition of 6,000 signatures demanding a full inquiry. The move comes after victims of abuse wrote to the Assembly demanding a Ryan-style inquiry to be implemented here. The motion urged the Assembly to agree that the abuse detailed in the Ryan Report be subject to criminal law. It also called on the Executive to commission an assessment of the extent of the abuse in Northern Ireland and provide funding to support helpline and counselling services. Abuse victims were among those in the Assembly's public gallery for the 90-minute debate. Ms Hanna said the Ryan Report had been "a watershed in Irish history". "The relevant religious orders operated on an all-island basis and there have been allegations against, and criminal convictions of, some of those who were supposed to be the primary protectors of children," she said. "That is why Ryan needs to be complemented and finalised by a postscript for Northern Ireland, and why the Executive need to act now." The DUP's Michelle McIlveen said while an assessment should be made of the scale of what occurred in Northern Ireland it should not turn into an inquiry. "We should also recognise that the circumstances in Northern Ireland were very different to those in the Republic of Ireland," she said. Ms McIlveen said to follow the road of the Ryan inquiry would deny victims "the kind of acknowledgement and justice that they most need". "The lack of a focus on criminal prosecutions and the agreement to immunity from prosecution for those guilty of such abuse is the most fundamental flaw in the inquiry," she added. Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs said that while the number of victims here may be fewer the pain and suffering was the same. Sinn Fein support for a full investigation was led by Gerry Adams. "I have read the Ryan report and it is a shameful tale of abuse over decades against children in institutions," he said. "There is no doubt that the litany of crime, beatings and rape also happened in institutions in this part of Ireland. It happened throughout Irish society and in all sectors of society, North and South." Kieran McCarthy of Alliance said victims here had been "spurred" to come forward by the shock findings of the Ryan report. "The victims concerned deserve an investigation and the same support as those in the Republic," he added. Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy said there had to be an assurance that people who have suffered in the past are no longer left to do so in silence. Outgoing SDLP leader Mark Durkan said abuse victims were left with an "inner child" which was still lonely and afraid.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.