NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
July 20 2017
Compensation should be paid without delay if devolved government is not restored at Stormont after the summer, child abuse victims said.
Survivors of wrongdoing at residential homes dating back decades urged Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to establish a redress scheme without delay if powersharing is not re-established in the coming months.
The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry has recommended compensation worth up to £100,000 for the worst affected.
Margaret McGuckin, who suffered abuse as a child at Nazareth House children’s home in Belfast, said: “Today we put the Secretary of State on notice that we expect urgent action from him to establish a redress scheme which meets the needs of victims, should Stormont not be up and running again after the summer.
“Victims of child abuse have been waiting their whole lives for justice. Now they have been hit with further uncertainty and no government, just when they need it most. For abuse survivors, justice delayed truly is justice denied.
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