NORTHERN IRELAND
Irish Times
Amanda Ferguson
A man who was physically and sexually abused at Kincora Boys’ Home in Belfast has withdrawn as a participant in the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry in Banbridge as he does not have access to a range of documents.
Richard Kerr said he had agreed to be involved in the inquiry despite having reservations about taking part on the grounds that the inquiry did not have powers to compel witnesses and because he felt it did not have sufficient powers to investigate allegations of British state collusion.
His decision to participate was on the basis that his legal representatives would be given a proper opportunity to represent him and his interests at the inquiry but as he feels this has not happened he has no confidence in proceedings and will no longer take part.
Mr Kerr, who is based in the US, was invited to be a core participant at the inquiry after being advised by the chairman Sir Anthony Hart that his participation in the investigations would be of assistance.
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