O’Rourke’s 13 abuse victims reach settlement

A 10-YEAR battle for compensation by 13 victims of convicted sex offender Derry O’Rourke ended at the High Court yesterday when their separate cases were settled for six-figure sums.

After the settlement, announced at a brief hearing before Mr Justice Eamon De Valera, Dave Coleman, solicitor for the 13, said his clients were satisfied with the outcome and he paid tribute to their fortitude and patience.

Mr Coleman said his clients were aged between 10 and 17 when the abuse occurred and were “very brave” to have persevered with their actions for more than 10 years. The first claim for damages was initiated in 1998 and the last claim was made in 2001.