Australian Federal Police and Police Service of Northern Ireland join forces to launch appeal

Police in Northern Ireland have launched a search for women and children in Australia who may have been affected by institutional abuse between 1922 and 1990.

The Northern Ireland Police Service launched an investigation in 2021 into allegations of abuse within mother and baby institutions, workhouses and Magdalene laundries in Northern Ireland.

Two years later, the Australian Federal Police announced on Sunday that it will assist the investigation in an effort to find victims and witnesses who may now live in Australia.

The Police Service has appealed for mothers who gave birth or anyone adopted from institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1990 to come forward.

These institutions housed pregnant women and girls from 1922 to 1990 in Northern Ireland, with many of the new mothers often leaving feeling compelled to give up their child.

Thousands of people are said to have lived, worked or visited these institutions during their 68 years of operation.

Since then, 88 reports have been made to the police, with people alleging that there are inconsistencies in the birth records of those who were adopted from Northern Ireland institutions and now live abroad.

Detective Superintendent Gary Reid said investigators believe there could be more victims and witnesses, many of whom may have moved or been adopted from countries such as Australia.

“As the investigation into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland continues, we are increasingly aware that people affected by these institutions not only reside in Northern Ireland, but who could now reside all over the world as far away as Australia,’ he said.

We don’t want anyone to feel like they have to suffer in silence anymore and we will continue to do everything we can to reach as many people with this message as possible.

“We would like to reinforce that this investigation is ongoing in Northern Ireland.”

Many new mothers who gave birth in Magdalene mother and baby institutions, workhouses and laundries in Northern Ireland were forced to abandon their children (file image)

Detective Superintendent Reid urged anyone with relevant information to contact police.

‘If you think you have been, or know someone who has been, a victim of abuse or other forms of crime in any of these Northern Ireland institutions, or if you witnessed something suspicious, please contact us, we want to hear from you.

“We care about what you have to say, we will listen and support you, and we will act to keep you and others safe.”

Those wishing to contact the inquiry are advised to email MotherBabyHomes.Magdalenelaundries@psni.police.uk

The Australian Federal Police have joined forces with their Northern Irish counterparts as part of the global investigation.