PSNI Responds Following Publication of Muckamore Public Inquiry Findings

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has welcomed the findings of the Muckamore Public Inquiry and accepted a recommendation specific to policing. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the PSNI will work to improve how live investigations are reviewed and escalated. The case remains the largest adult safeguarding investigation in the UK, with ongoing criminal proceedings.

PSNI Welcomes Muckamore Public Inquiry Report

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has issued a statement following the publication of the findings of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry today, Thursday 18 June 2026.

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said police welcomed the report and accepted the recommendation made specifically to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He said the service would work to improve the process for reviewing live investigations and escalating matters where required.

The PSNI statement was published on the force’s official website and relates to the long-running investigation connected to Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim. Read the PSNI statement here.

Muckamore Public Inquiry Findings Mark Significant Milestone

The Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry was established as a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine the abuse of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital and determine how it was able to happen.

The inquiry has run alongside an ongoing police investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Beck said:

“We welcome the report and its findings and accept the recommendation specific to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We will work hard to improve the process for the review of live investigations and escalation where required.”

Largest Adult Safeguarding Investigation in the UK

According to the PSNI, the Muckamore investigation remains the largest adult safeguarding investigation in the UK.

Police confirmed that 124 people have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland to date.

The first file was submitted in April 2020.

The Department of Health has also published the final report, with easy read and audio versions available. View the Department of Health publication page here.

As criminal proceedings remain ongoing, reporting around the case must continue to avoid speculation or commentary that could impact the legal process.

Support for Families at Centre of Investigation

Assistant Chief Constable Beck said the protection of vulnerable people remains a priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He said the investigation has been detailed and complex, with specially trained officers from the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch providing ongoing support to families.

He added:

“Today marks a significant milestone for them and we thank the families involved for their patience and unwavering support for our investigation.”

Ongoing Criminal Proceedings

The PSNI has stressed that the public inquiry has been running in parallel with the police investigation.

Criminal proceedings connected to the case remain ongoing.

For that reason, police have not provided further detail on individual cases.

A Memorandum of Understanding was previously published between the inquiry, the PSNI and the PPS, setting out arrangements while the inquiry and criminal justice processes operated alongside each other. Read the Memorandum of Understanding here.

Useful Links

• Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry
• Muckamore Inquiry publications
• Department of Health publication page
• PSNI statement following Muckamore Public Inquiry
• Police Service of Northern Ireland
• Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland
• Patient and Client Council public inquiries information

Anyone affected by safeguarding concerns should report them to the appropriate authorities. Concerns involving immediate risk should be reported to police.

For non-emergency police reports, visit the PSNI online reporting page. In an emergency, always call 999.