THE inquiry team that investigated historical abuse at residential homes has passed its final report to Stormont's leaders.
The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry heard harrowing testimony from hundreds of people who made claims of sexual, physical and emotional suffering over decades in church, state and charity-run homes.
While the report will not be made public until later this month, the panel has already made clear it will be recommending some form of compensation be offered to victims.
Inquiry chair, retired judge Sir Anthony Hart, said: "I want to thank everyone who came forward to tell us of their experiences as I know how hard it was for many to find the courage to do so.
"I also want to thank all those who worked with the inquiry in a co-operative way, and by doing so helped my colleagues and myself to complete our report on time."
The report has been passed to First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at a time when the power-sharing institutions are engulfed in crisis around the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal.
Evidence during 223 days of hearings outlined allegations of brutality and sex abuse dating back to the 1920s.
The inquiry finished with an investigation into a paedophile ring that operated at the notorious Kincora boys' home in east Belfast
Earlier the expert panel heard details about the activities of Fr Brendan Smyth, a serial child molester who frequented Catholic residential homes and was convicted of more than 100 child abuse charges.
The public inquiry was ordered by Stormont's Executive following pressure from alleged victims and similar probes in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere.
It was created in 2013 to investigate child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period, up to 1995.
Victims of church and state child abuse have expressed concerns that the current political crisis at Stormont could see their hard fought campaign for justice derailed.
Margaret McGuckin of support group Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia) said on Friday that victims were pleased with news that the report is ready, but said Stormont leaders had to "get their act together" to ensure they received justice.
"I didn't realise that it would take this length of time, but finally now our day has come," she said.
"This is about innocent children, whose lives have been ruined. It's time for the two sides to make up and get their act together and look after us, because we were failed by the former governments of the time."
A spokesman for the Executive Office said: "The First Minister and Deputy First Minister thank Sir Anthony Hart and his colleagues for delivering the report within the time frame.
"Ministers remain sensitive to the views of all those who have suffered abuse and are mindful of the destructive impact it has had on many people.
"Ministers will give the report full consideration and will not be making any comment ahead of the report being formally published on January 20, 2017."
