The publication of the final report into the inquiry at Muckamore Abbey Hospital has been postponed until March next year.

In a statement its Chair Tom Kark KC, said while he had hoped to publish his findings towards the end of this year, the size and importance of the task means that is no longer possible.

The chairman added that anyone who may be criticised in the report should receive a warning of the criticism and be given a reasonable opportunity to respond.

The final public hearing of the inquiry into the abuse took place in early March.

A separate major police investigation began in 2017 after allegations of ill-treatment began to emerge.

Sitting for 120 days, the inquiry heard oral evidence from 181 witnesses.

It is thought to be the biggest criminal adult safeguarding case of its kind in the UK.

The hospital was due to close in June 2024 but this was delayed as alternative accommodation placements in the community had not been found for all the remaining patients.

There are currently 13 patients still living in the hospital. The Department of Health (DoH) said the majority will be resettled “by the end of the calendar year”.

A DOH spokesperson added that the department remained “committed to the resettlement of all remaining patients” and to “the closure of the hospital”.

Twenty-four patients have been resettled from Muckamore since August 2022, the spokesperson added.