Historical Institutional Abuse

Legislation making it a criminal offence to destroy privately-held records relating to institutions implicated in historical sexual abuse has been commenced. The legislation forms part of the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024, which was signed int

New legislation will make it a criminal offence to destroy privately-held records relating to institutions implicated in historical sexual abuse. Roderic O'Gorman, the minister for children, equality, disability, integration and youth, today confirmed his intention to introduce the new measures as c

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has called for the immediate establishment of a redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse. A redress scheme is one of the recommendations in the report of the scoping inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools r

A commission of investigation into historical sexual abuse is to be established, the government has confirmed. The move follows a recommendation in the report of the scoping inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

The government is expected to establish a statutory inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, according to reports. Mary O’Toole SC was appointed in March 2023 to lead a scoping inquiry, the final report of which is expected to be published immin

The State has made a significant concession in the ongoing campaign by survivors of historical abuse in schools to access redress by settling 10 High Court actions challenging the State’s refusal to admit them to its most recent redress scheme. In April, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Com

The government has confirmed it has received the 700-page report of the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders and is now preparing for its publication. Mary O'Toole SC was appointed in March 2023 to lead the scoping inquiry, which was origin

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has been granted leave from the High Court to exercise its amicus curiae function in a significant case focused on redress for survivors of historic child sexual abuse in schools. As amicus curiae in KW v the Minister for Education, the Government of Ir

Draft legislation providing for a package of ongoing supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions is to be published. The text of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill, which provides for supports in areas including health, advocacy and education, was appro

The scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders has been granted a six-month extension to the deadline for its report. Mary O'Toole SC was appointed in March to lead the scoping inquiry, which was originally due to report to the minister for educa

Northern Ireland’s High Court has rejected limitation period applications brought against abuse allegations by two victims of Kincora Boys' Home. Delivering the judgment, Master Bell addressed four separate applications, ultimately finding that there was a basis for allegations of misfeasance

Every household in Northern Ireland is to receive a leaflet outlining the support, services, and compensation available for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse. The leaflet, which will be distributed from this week, is the latest phase of an awareness campaign which started in Ma

A new campaign is seeking to raise awareness of the support, services and redress available for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland. From this week, advertisements will be running in regional and local newspapers and on social media platforms to ensure victims

Mr Justice Stephen Fowler has been appointed as president of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board. The High Court judge yesterday took on the role from Mr Justice Ian Huddleston, who was appointed to the role just last year.

A review of the redress process for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland has commenced. The review was launched after the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a motion in July recognising "the discontent of victims" with the process, which was launched in March 202