Muckamore Abbey Hospital: Bid to suspend public inquiry dismissed

A legal bid to suspend the public inquiry into alleged abuse at Muckamore Abbey hospital has been dismissed by a High court judge.

The applicant in the case has been granted anonymity.

They challenged Health Minister Robin Swann's refusal to suspend the public inquiry until criminal proceedings against them had concluded.

Lawyers argued that the applicant's article six right to a fair trail had been jeopardised.

The applicant's lawyers cited "adverse and prejudicial" commentary already in the media.

Rejecting the application the judge, Mr Justice Colton, said that the applicant's article six rights were fully protected within the criminal trial process.

The judge referred to submissions from the applicant's legal team who had argued that if the inquiry recommences as planned this month, it would consider evidence reported by the media which could affect the ability of a jury to act impartially.

The judge told the court there was nothing to suggest that there had been a "virulent media campaign" about the applicant.

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Source: BBC News, 15 September 2022