Council Calls for Public Enquiry into Treatment of Patients at Muckamore

January 24, 2019

At this month’s Council meeting, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, unanimously backed a Notice of Motion calling for an Public Enquiry by the Department of Health into the treatment of patients at Muckamore Abbey.  The Council also called for the Secretary of State to step in and authorise an Enquiry if the decision cannot be made in the absence of a Stormont Minister.

Bringing forward the motion, in front of the families of patients of Muckamore Abbey who were in attendance at the meeting,  Alderman Paul Porter spoke emotionally about the horrific details he had learnt first-hand from the families of those who were treated in Muckamore.

“The stories that have emerged about treatment in Muckamore have been horrific, with patients and their families forever traumatised, and their accounts of treatment beggars belief in a so called civilised, humane society.  What is more shocking is that this treatment appears to have been systemic and towards the most vulnerable people in our communities.  I would pay tribute to all the families, involved, for fighting for the rights of their loved ones, who are unable to speak up from themselves: who have never given up and will ensure that their voices will eventually be heard.  As a Council we will do everything we can to support the patients and their families, to leave no stone unturned, in the quest for truth and justice.”

Councillor Jonathan Craig seconded the motion saying that the scandal of Muckamore and the harrowing stories that were emerging  were a complete betrayal of trust of patients and families but also to the wider healthcare profession and that action must be taken.

Elected Members, from all Parties across the Chamber, spoke in support of the Motion and the bravery of the families in their Campaign for justice.

The Council will now write to the Secretary of State calling for a Public Enquiry and the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health calling for answers and action as well as writing to Councils across Northern Ireland to seek support for a Public Enquiry into the treatment of patients at Muckamore Abbey.