Family members of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital have described an ongoing public inquiry into abuse at the hospital as “disappointing”.

It came as lawyers launched a legal challenge against the inquest, saying the families felt they had been “marginalised” and “unfairly treated”.

Part of the challenge is a bid to overturn an inquiry decision not to call a single health minister to give evidence.

It also calls for greater transparency in the hearing of evidence.

Muckamore is run by Belfast Health Trust and provides facilities for adults with special needs.

The public inquiry is looking into abuse at the hospital, which is based outside Antrim.

“We are not listened to”

Glynn Brown, whose son Aaron is a former patient, was instrumental in exposing the scandal.

He said he was “very angry” at the way the investigation was conducted.

“I don’t think this is the public inquiry I’ve campaigned so hard for,” he told BBC News NI.

Marjorie Sharp, whose daughter Laura has been a patient there for more than 17 years, said the families had no confidence in the investigation.

“We were treated so badly,” she said.

“We are not being listened to, we feel it is rushed – they want it over and done with.

“We speak for our loved ones because they have no voice.”

Lawyer Claire McKeegan represents a number of patient families.

She said other issues include plans to hear closing statements before all evidence is heard and hearing evidence in private sessions.

Ms McKeegan criticized the inquest’s plans to hold talks with families over the relocation of Muckamore patients early next year – after the inquest has concluded.

“Now resettlement, as we all know for our patients’ families, is what will secure their future,” Ms McKeegan said.

“Community resettlement has not been dealt with properly is why many patients have been languishing in Muckamore Abbey Hospital for decades.

“This is one of the most important parts of this investigation and our clients say this should not be done in private session.”

A spokesperson for the inquiry confirmed it plans to hold facilitated sessions for families, patients and carers to discuss their experiences of relocation.

“This would be planned for an informal setting in the form of facilitated discussions, in the presence of the group, to allow recounting and discussion of recent experiences, different from how formal evidence is gathered when the inquiry is public. “, said the spokesperson.

“The invitation will be entirely voluntary, will not be limited to core participants, and will be recorded, with a summary of each discussion published (subject to any necessary restraining order) without naming the speakers.”

Ms McKeegan said: “What counsel said in court today was that a public inquiry should be the cornerstone of openness and transparency and they feel they have been sidelined.”

The public inquiry began in October 2021, with final submissions planned before the end of this year.

A case management hearing for judicial review was heard at the High Court in Belfast on Thursday and a full hearing was confirmed to take place on December 2.

A separate major police investigation began in 2017 after allegations of ill-treatment began to emerge.

Fifteen people were prosecuted in connection with the prosecution.