Kincora child abuse survivor Clint Massey dies

Kincora child abuse survivor Clint Massey has died.

Mr Massey spent eight months in the notorious East Belfast residential home aged 16.

It opened on Belfast’s Upper Newtownards Road, close to Stormont’s Parliament Buildings in May 1958 and closed in October 1980 following the sex abuse scandal.

Survivors’ campaigner Margaret McGuckin said: “So saddened to hear early today of Kincora child abuse survivor Clint Massey passing. RIP.

“Clint (pictured) was a very shy insecure timid man when we first met.”

She represents the Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia) group which has been campaigning for redress.

Ms McGuckin said Savia had helped support Mr Massey.

“Sadly missed Clint by all your friends in Savia and further afield. God bless.”

In 1981, three senior care workers at Kincora were imprisoned.

The chairman of a public inquiry into the abuse, Sir Anthony Hart, dismissed unfounded myths of security force or state collusion in the abuse.

No credible evidence was found of complicity in exploitation of sex abuse at Kincora or that prominent Establishment individuals were involved.

Instead, failings by the health authorities and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were blamed after dozens of residents complained of being targeted.

Following the public inquiry, recommendations were made in January last year to the Northern Ireland Assembly to award compensation to victims and survivors.

However, just days after the report, powersharing collapsed at Stormont meaning no government has been in place to approve the release of funds.

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