Minster calls for further progress as 11 male-only boards still remain

A growing backlog in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is leaving victims of serious assaults waiting years for redress.

A Dublin barman who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a street assault has been awarded €710,000 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal.

Victims of serious assaults are waiting years for money to cover basic expenses and loss of earnings, because of the “dysfunctional” Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, solicitors say.

Victims of violent crime have been paid almost €28 million over the past five years by a state compensation tribunal.

More than 3,200 victims of crime contacted a dedicated helpline in search of advice and support or to express concern over their ongoing safety last year.

The Taoiseach’s department wanted to wash its hands of compensation claims for victims of the Stardust fire disaster over fears it would be chaotic and controversial, State papers have revealed.

The European Court of Human Rights is to hear an appeal next year by a Corkwoman against a Supreme Court ruling the State was not legally liable for the sexual abuse she suffered as a child by her teacher.

THE daughter of Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae was given a lucrative position on a state board just weeks before her father agreed to support the Government in the budget vote.

WHEN Bertie Ahern, at the height of his considerable pomp, admitted he appointed people to state boards for no reason other than they were his friends it confirmed what had been apparent for a very long time.

FATAL and non-fatal attacks cost the State more than €4.4m in compensation pay-outs last year, according to figures from the Department of Justice.

A WOMAN who was sexually assaulted 20 times by a national school principal at the age of eight has asked the Supreme Court, in a test case, to rule that the Minister for Education and the State are vicariously liable for the assaults.

A County Cork woman who was sexually abused by her teacher in the 1970s faces a legal bill of up to €500,000 after the High Court today ruled that the State was not liable for the actions of her teacher.

THE Garda Síochána accounts for well over half of the annual €1.85 billion budget of the Department of Justice, according to its annual report for 2004 published yesterday.

IMPORTANT new evidence has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions by the father of a young man killed in a tragic incident at a Cork night club, the Irish Examiner has been informed.

VICTIMS of violent crime will be entitled to much less compensation under controversial law changes due to be implemented shortly.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell is to change prison officers’ work practices as part of a major drive to cut soaring overtime payments.