PSNI prepared to investigate abuse at mother and baby homes

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it is ready to investigate allegations of physical and sexual abuse involving mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries.

It follows the publication of a report on Tuesday which recommended a public inquiry be held to investigate homes, laundries and workhouses. Its recommendations are to be considered by the Northern Executive.

The head of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, Det Chief Supt Anthony McNally, said the force welcomed the publication of the report and that specially-trained officers were ready to investigate.

“We recognise the profound impact on the lives of those who were in mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries and the concerns of the wider public on how they were operated,” he said.

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“Specially trained officers within our Historical Child Abuse Team will be investigating all allegations of non-recent physical and sexual abuse against residents of these homes.

Examined thoroughly

“We have, from today, launched dedicated reporting mechanisms to make it easier for people to come forward to us with information. All reports we receive will be examined thoroughly and any criminality detected will be robustly investigated.”

Det Chief Supt McNally said he would “encourage anyone who has been the victim of non-recent abuse or any criminal act arising out of these homes, or who has information likely to assist an investigation into a criminal act committed, to please come forward”.

“We care about what you have to say, will listen and support you, and will act to keep you and others safe,” he said.

A report published by academics at Queen’s and Ulster universities in January found 10,500 women were admitted to mother and baby institutions and about 3,000 women to Magdalene laundries in the North between 1922 and 1990.

Women in the institutions were ill-treated, held against their will and forced to give up their babies, with at least 550 babies sent across the Border for adoption.

Workhouses

Ministers in the Northern Executive committed to an investigation following the publication of their research, and commissioned a Truth Recovery Design Panel to work with victims and survivors to design its format. Workhouses were subsequently added to the scope of the panel following representation from victims and survivors.

Reporting its findings on Tuesday, the panel also called for immediate redress payments for victims and survivors and for “unqualified apologies” from all state, religious and other institutions and bodies involved.

The panel also said the Northern Executive should co-operate with the Irish government to achieve the “maximum possible access to information regarding the operation of cross-border practices.”

Anyone wishing to contact the PSNI’s mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries investigation team should email MotherBabyHomes.Magdalenelaundries@psni.police.uk or call (+44) (0) 90901728 between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, or 101 out of office hours.

“Officers will deal with any matters reported in a sensitive manner and will, where possible, progress matters through investigation,” the PSNI said.