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Muckamore Abbey Hospital: seven face prosecution for alleged mistreatment and wilful neglect of patients

Northern Irish hospital cares for adults with severe learning disabilities and mental health needs

Northern Irish hospital cares for adults with severe learning disabilities and mental health needs

Muckamore Abbey Hospital. Picture: Pacemaker

Seven individuals face prosecution for alleged ill-treatment and wilful neglect of patients at a hospital for people with severe learning disabilities.

The alleged offences took place at the psychiatric intensive care unit at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Prosecution follows ongoing police inquiries

A police investigation into claims of abuse at the hospital has been ongoing since 2018, following reports of inappropriate behaviour and alleged physical abuse of service users by staff.

Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) declined to confirm if those facing prosecution were members of staff at the hospital.

Families of patients have been informed of prosecution proceedings

PPS assistant director Martin Hardy said: ‘The seven individuals are being prosecuted for a range of offences including the alleged ill-treatment and wilful neglect of patients contrary to the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

‘We have written to the families of the affected patients to inform them of the decision.’

The PPS said the decision to prosecute is based on evidence received from police in April 2020.

A second investigation file received from police in December 2020 – which also relates to alleged ill-treatment and wilful neglect of patients at the hospital – remains under active consideration, the PPS confirmed.


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