Religious order fails to stop damages bid

A RELIGIOUS order yesterday failed in a High Court challenge seeking to stop a claim for damages against it by two men who were sexually abused more than 30 years ago by one of its teachers.

The teacher, a member of the Franciscan order, was jailed in 1998 after pleading guilty to physical and sexual assault on the two, when they were aged 11 and 12, and attending a national school where he worked.

The men, now aged 46 and 47, subsequently brought civil proceedings against the teacher and against the Franciscans claiming it was vicariously liable for the actions of the teacher.