Police probing hospital ill-treatment carry out searches in Northern Ireland

Police investigating the alleged ill-treatment of patients at a hospital for vulnerable adults have carried out eight searches in Northern Ireland.

A total of 158 incidents involving Muckamore Abbey in Antrim have been reported to detectives.

On Wednesday, officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) undertook searches in Counties Antrim and Down and seized mobile phones.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie said: “This demonstrates our commitment to delivering a full and thorough investigation.

“The safeguarding and protection of our most vulnerable is a priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

“As of today there have been 158 incidents reported to police regarding Muckamore Abbey and we will continue to work through every report made to us to establish if criminal offences have been committed.”

Muckamore looks after some severely disabled patients and has been the subject of concerns expressed by the health authorities and relatives of those living there.

Ms Duffie added: “We are very sensitive to the trauma and impact upon those families whose loved ones are at the centre of this complex investigation.

“From the outset we have been committed to working closely with them and will continue to keep them informed as much as we possibly can.

“As this is a live investigation it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”