Northern Ireland

Police make 25th arrest in Muckamore Abbey Hospital abuse probe

Public hearings for the Muckamore Abbey Hospital inquiry will begin next spring
Public hearings for the Muckamore Abbey Hospital inquiry will begin next spring Public hearings for the Muckamore Abbey Hospital inquiry will begin next spring

A 25th person has been arrested in connection with allegations of patient abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

Police said a 56-year-old man was arrested in the Antrim area this morning.

An investigation has been taking place into claims of patient abuse at the facility on the outskirts of Antrim town, which is operated by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

It is the biggest criminal probe of its kind in Northern Ireland with 1,500 suspected crimes discovered in one ward between April and September 2017. 

Seven people have been informed they are to be prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service for a range of offences, including ill-treatment and wilful neglect contrary to the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

Health Minister Robin Swann confirmed last year that a public inquiry would take place and said that patients and families would have the opportunity to influence its remit and scope.