What happened to our daughter in that hospital?
Marjorie and Mark Sharp frequently ask themselves one fundamental question: what happened to their daughter during her time at Muckamore Abbey Hospital?
Laura, now 41, was admitted to Muckamore Abbey Hospital at age 16 and remained there for over 17 years.
Her experience, along with those of many others, is included in the Muckamore public inquiry into the abuse of adults. The inquiry's final report is scheduled for publication on Thursday.
"When Laura hears the word Muckamore she becomes anxious and fidgety she doesn't want to talk about it - things happened to her in there which she can't explain.
"One particular time she pulled her T-shirt up and she had bruises all around her chest and she stood up and said 'I'm scared'," Marjorie said.
What is Muckamore Abbey?
Muckamore Abbey Hospital, located in County Antrim, opened in 1949 and served as a regional centre for adults and children with severe learning and mental health disabilities.
The hospital is currently undergoing a planned closure and is at the centre of what is believed to be the largest criminal adult safeguarding case of its kind in the UK.
Laura's father, Mark, stated that in 2008, after noticing bruising on Laura's body, they sought assistance from the police. However, their efforts were unsuccessful as the police were reportedly informed that Laura was resting and could not be examined.
The Muckamore public inquiry commenced in June 2022, hearing oral evidence from 181 witnesses and reviewing over 300 statements in total.
The inquiry is chaired by Tom Kark QC, who previously played a significant role in the 2010 inquiry into avoidable deaths at Stafford Hospital in England.
A separate police investigation began in 2017 following emerging allegations of ill-treatment.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has reviewed thousands of hours of CCTV footage from the hospital as part of its investigation; this footage was also submitted as evidence in the public inquiry.
Although cameras were not installed in Laura's wards, Mark and Marjorie believe that their daughter's behaviour and the bruises on her body indicate she was subjected to abuse.
"From the start she was over medicated, her life in the hospital was dominated by systems and behavioural management rather than understanding and treating her autism," Marjorie said.
It was only last year, after persistent requests from her parents, that Laura was diagnosed with autism at the age of 40.
In her parents' garden, Laura is seen smiling while listening to Adele and wearing her favourite colour, red.
Laura has learning disabilities and occasionally displays challenging behaviour, but she is also a young woman who enjoyed playing badminton and attempted to communicate through touch and smiles.
Her parents describe a stark contrast between her current state and her years at Muckamore, which they say hindered her development and progress.
"Life could have been so different for Laura - over the years at Muckamore all they did was change the medication - they didn't treat her autism.
"The staff, including management, didn't listen to us as parents, instead they said Laura made up allegations of abuse when we know she didn't.
"How did she spend over 17 years in a hospital and no-one ever diagnosed what was wrong?" Marjorie asks.
What happened in Muckamore?
The PSNI has reported 124 individuals to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
The PPS has directed prosecution for 58 people, who are at various stages of the court process.
To date, three individuals have been prosecuted, two cautioned, and one case dismissed in court.
A total of 192 staff members were screened by the Belfast Health Trust's investigative panel.
Some staff members have left voluntarily with no case to answer.
Like many parents affected by the Muckamore scandal, Mark and Marjorie blame themselves for not listening to their daughter more attentively and for not advocating more forcefully with Belfast Health Trust management and the police to address the situation at Muckamore.
Mark stated that they have lost faith in Northern Ireland's social care system but remain open-minded pending the inquiry's findings and recommendations.
The couple noted moments of hope during the inquiry when their legal team advocated for those without a voice.
They recall the opening day when the families' barrister, Conor Maguire KC, stated:
"What seemed appropriate at the top, masked what was festering at the bottom.
"Who in senior positions knew about the abuse and what measures did they take or fail to take to stop it?
"The abuse perpetrated on patients was widespread and in the open."
Like many families involved in the scandal, the Sharps have many unresolved questions.
"We ask ourselves what happened to our daughter in that hospital - she was admitted at 16 and labelled a cheeky and disobedient child," Mark said.
"We were struggling as parents and looking for help, we trusted the professionals but never did anyone discuss autism, anxiety or that Laura felt overwhelmed.
"We now know that Laura is autistic with challenging behaviours - looking back we wonder if they got it wrong from the very beginning."
