Northern Ireland

Five ministers confirmed for state apology to institutional abuse victims

Ministers from the five main Stormont parties will make a formal apology to institutional abuse victims on March 11
Ministers from the five main Stormont parties will make a formal apology to institutional abuse victims on March 11 Ministers from the five main Stormont parties will make a formal apology to institutional abuse victims on March 11

INSTITUTIONAL abuse survivors are to receive a formal apology from ministers from the five main parties next month.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy and Education Minister Michelle McIlveen will represent Sinn Féin and the DUP at the public apology on March 11.

Health Minister Robin Swann from the Ulster Unionists, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon from the SDLP, and Justice Minister Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance, will represent their parties.

Statements will also be made by the institutions criticised by the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) report.

It is more than five years since the HIA inquiry, chaired by the late Sir Anthony Hart, exposed serious sexual, physical and emotional abuse over decades at children's homes run by religious orders, charities and the state.

The apology, which will be made in the assembly chamber, will be live-streamed to allow victims from across the world to view it.

A minute's silence will also be held to acknowledge victims who have died.

The apology has come after a lengthy campaign by survivors.

They were relieved after former First Minister Paul Givan and ex-Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill announced in January that they would make an apology to victims on behalf of the executive.

But just weeks later, the apology was thrown into doubt following Mr Givan's resignation.

Campaigner Margaret McGuckin, from Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse, said she was pleased that all the main parties will be involved.

She paid tribute to former SDLP MLA Carmel Hanna for her work in 2009 in helping to establish the inquiry.

But she added that the fight for justice has "drained us".

Ms McGuckin also called for swift action to set up a memorial to victims

In a statement released yesterday, the five ministers said the apology will be a "hugely significant day".

"Victims and survivors have waited too long to hear an apology for the awful harm that was inflicted on them as children, and in the years since," they said.

"We want this apology to provide full acknowledgment of the wrong that was done, and the terrible failures that resulted in the abuse of children by the individuals and a system that should have protected them.

"We recognise that the experience of every victim and survivor is individual, and each have personal views on what they want to be included. We are listening to them and working to ensure the apology is developed in line with what they need to hear."

Anyone who needs support can contact the Victims and Survivors Service on 028 9031 1678.

Meanwhile, the annual Catholic day of prayer for survivors and victims of abuse will he held today.

Prayers will be offered at Masses for those who have been hurt by abuse in the church.