Chairman of historical institutional abuse inquiry to appeal High Court ruling

"The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry's chairman is to appeal a High Court ruling that he unfairly denied legal representation to a victim."

"Sir Anthony Hart's inquiry is examining claims of abuse at children's homes in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 1995."

"Earlier this week, the High Court ruled a woman who claims she was molested by a "very high-profile figure" should be granted her own lawyer at the inquiry."

"Its chairman, Sir Anthony, has now lodged a challenge to that verdict."

"The High Court ruled that a bar had effectively been erected against the woman by the inquiry's refusal to grant her access to her own legal representation."

"The woman at the centre of the legal battle is due to give evidence at the ongoing Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry at Banbridge, County Down."

"It has so far heard from nearly 100 victims and survivors of abuse, most of whom were in the care of the Catholic Church at children's homes in Londonderry and Kircubbin, County Down. "

"Others were part of a state-approved child migrant scheme to Australia."

"The focus has now shifted to the former Nazareth House and Nazareth Lodge in Belfast..."
 
Read more http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30847011