18 June 2026
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said the abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital can never be repeated.
He was speaking after the publication of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry report.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:
“What happened at Muckamore Abbey was a shocking dereliction of duty and an appalling betrayal of vulnerable people who were entitled to care, dignity and protection. Their families placed their trust in the health service and that trust was fundamentally broken.
“For years, families fought to have their voices heard. They refused to be ignored and it is because of their determination and courage that we have reached this point today. They deserve enormous credit for ensuring the truth emerged and for never giving up on those they loved.
“While work to hold individuals accountable is ongoing, it has always been clear that patients were also failed by the wider system. Concerns were raised, warning signs were present and opportunities to intervene existed, yet action was not taken. That raises serious questions about leadership, oversight and safeguarding across our health service.
“Many of the issues identified by this inquiry will not come as a surprise to families who have spent years highlighting what happened. The real question is why vulnerable patients were left exposed for so long and why it took so many years for the necessary action to be taken.
“Victims and their families deserve answers and they deserve to see lessons learned. The worst possible outcome now would be for this report to gather dust. Its recommendations must be implemented in full and there must be clear accountability for delivering them.
“Muckamore was a failure of safeguarding, a failure of oversight and a failure of leadership. Most importantly, it was a failure of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We owe it to every patient and family affected to ensure there is never another Muckamore Abbey.”