EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin was accused last night of “bullying” parents of autistic children who are attempting to secure specialist education for their youngsters.

THE mother of a young autistic boy wept outside the Four Courts yesterday after the High Court issued a ruling that could force her to sell their family home to meet a legal bill estimated at more than €2 million.

WHILE his parents await an appeal in the Supreme Court, Seán Ó Cuanacháin is continuing to thrive at his specialist autism school in Co Wicklow.

The parents of a six-year-old autistic boy were today awarded more than €60,000 in compensation by the High Court.