Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Demand for independent probe into Muckamore
PRESSURE is mounting on the Health Minister to launch an independent public inquiry into failings at Muckamore Abbey.
Robin Swann has apologised to the vulnerable patients affected by alleged abuses, as has Belfast Trust boss Cathy Jack.
The latest review into events at the Co Antrim hospital found Muckamore operated “under the radar of the Trust” while the leadership team at the specialist facility was “dysfunctional with obvious tensions”.
Mr Swann said: “It is my intention to establish an inquiry on Muckamore.”
However, parties have called for a completely independent probe.
Sinn Fein’s Colm Gildernew said: “The reviews finding ‘the Belfast Trust had appropriate governance structures in place’ but they just weren’t implemented effectively is absurd.”
The DUP’S Pam Cameron added: “The families now deserve full answers and those responsible for any wrongdoing must be held fully accountable for their actions.”
Paula Bradshaw of Alliance said: “The only route to establishing fully what happened and who was responsible for wrongdoings will be a full public inquiry.”
An active police investigation continues.
A MAN accused of murdering his partner told police she died during an erotic sex act, a court has heard.
Dawid Lukasz Mietus was charged with murdering 20-year-old Patrycja Wyrebek.
Her body was found in her home in Newry, Co Down, on Sunday.
Mietus, who is from Poland, was arrested on suspicion of the murder of his partner hours later.
He told police he and Ms Wyrebek, who had been together for seven or eight months, had a shared interest in erotic asphyxiation.
Jonathan Browne, a barrister for the accused, told Newry Magistrates Court Mietus claimed his partner had introduced him to that form of sexual intercourse.
The lawyer added: “He said that on that night they both drank a large amount of alcohol, a bottle of wine each and vodka after.
“He said the deceased became unresponsive during consensual intercourse and that was at a time they were practising consensual erotic asphyxiation.
“The normal agreement between the two of them was that if there was any threat or danger to either of them, they would use a physical signal to stop the intercourse.
“He said on the morning of question, she never gave him such signal to actually stop.
“This particular case being made is that this is entirely an accidental death in which there was no intention to kill or cause serious harm. This is without doubt an extremely tragic death.”
A police sergeant objected to bail citing concerns over a risk of flight as Mietus has ties outside of the North.
The court heard the accused, of Drumalane Park in Newry, was in contact with a family member regarding a flight to Poland.
A prosecutor told the court he asked a family member to print a ticket in his mother’s name on Tuesday.
Sgt Brannigan said he had concerns about the seriousness of the alleged offence and the risk of interference with witnesses. He told the court that relatives made statements that he told a relative on the morning of the alleged murder that he killed Ms Wyrebek. He also said there are concerns that if he is released, he will be a danger to the community. Mr Browne argued the accused has “firm ties” to the community and has been working in the North for years. He added the defendant lives close to the border and had “every opportunity to flee”.
Mr Browne said: “The death occurred around half-past midnight and he was arrested the following afternoon. He was arrested in a very distressed state. He made comments to the effect, ‘I killed her’. “He was standing holding a knife when he was about to be arrested and was threatening self-harm such was the extent of his distress.” However, the judge expressed “real concern” over the seriousness of the alleged offence and refused him bail. The case will be heard on September 2.
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