Sex abuser named after ban lifted

A WOMAN who was sexually abused as a child for seven years by her Irish dancing teacher should be paid €50,000 of the €400,000 award made against him earlier this week if he wants to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, a judge has ruled.

The High Court also yesterday lifted a ban on naming the teacher, Michael Quigley, aged 68, of Barnhill Park, Letter-kenny, Co Donegal, who denied the abuse claims.

His victim, Dana Doherty, aged 42, a schoolteacher from Letterkenny, had asked that he be named earlier this week. The case was put back until yesterday to allow both sides to submit arguments if this should happen or not.

Mr Justice Sean Ryan, who made the €400,000 award on Tuesday, said he saw no legal or other reason why the parties should not be named, but deferred a final ruling until yesterday afternoon when asked by counsel for Mr Quigley for an opportunity to appeal this aspect of his ruling immediately.

Mr Justice Ryan was told an appeal against the award is also to be lodged, but the judge said he would only grant leave for this on the basis that €50,000 of the €400,000 is paid to Ms Doherty.

The Supreme Court ruled there was no basis in law for preventing him being named and when the matter came back before Mr Justice Ryan, he ordered that his earlier written judgment be re-issued without various names and other identifying features being blacked out as they had been in Tuesday’s version.

Afterwards, Brian Gill, Ms Doherty’s solicitor said his client hopes the authorities in Irish dancing will ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect children under their care.

He said that by taking this civil action, Ms Doherty’s voice had finally been heard and she can finally let go of the past.

Picture: Dana Doherty and her sister Caitriona Clay, left, leave the High Court. Ms Doherty was sexually abused as a child for seven years by her Irish dancing teacher. Picture: Courtpix