Police team probing alleged abuse sift through 240,000 hours of CCTV

POLICE are examining 240,000 hours of CCTV footage as part of an investigation into the alleged abuse of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, the High Court has heard.

A team of eight officers has been assigned to go through the material, with further requests made to double their numbers.

Details emerged as another two nurses who worked at the hospital commenced legal attempts to have their suspensions lifted.

Last week, seven of their col- leagues successfully appealed the step taken against them by their regulatory body.

The court held there was insufficient evidence for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to impose interim suspension orders on the seven individuals.

They can now practice in the UK, but remain temporarily suspended by the Belfast Trust pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation into allegations that vulnerable patients were subjected to physical and mental abuse.

In court yesterday a judge was told the NMC cannot consent to applications by the other two nurses at this stage.

A lawyer for the regulatory body said it was liaising with the trust and the PSNI over the release of further information.

Police, however, are not pre- pared to disclose footage at this stage, the court heard.

Counsel representing the PSNI responded by claiming the release of footage they have received could prejudice its investigation.

He said: “There are approximately 240,000 hours of CCTV footage, (and) approximately 90 hours from four individual wards.

“The police are extremely anxious to go through this material as quickly as possible.”

The barrister revealed that eight officers have been allocated to viewing the footage. A resource request has also been made for the number of staff involved to be doubled to 16.

Following submissions Mr Justice Huddlestone agreed to a one-week adjournment.

❝ Police are extemely anxious to go through this as quickly as possible