Cork Woman Wins Case Against The State In Europe

Cork woman wins case against the state in europe

The State has lost a case in the European Court of Human Rights taken by a victim of child abuse at an Irish primary school. It had been argued that the State was not liable for the actions of a school principal who was paid by the Department of Education - but employed by a local board of management. 49 year old Louise O'Keeffe was abused at Dunderrow National School in 1973 by her principal Leo Hickey, who was subsequently jailed for three years. Her fight through the Irish courts had been unsuccessful, prompting an appeal to Europe where she was today awarded her 30 thousand euro in damages, and 85 thousand euro in costs. The Department of Education says it will examine the judgement of the ECHR for its implications. She now wants an apology from the Government to all those who were abused in schools.