EU court to consider school sex abuse case

The European Court of Human Rights has decided to consider the case against the State by Louise O’Keeffe for sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her primary school principal.

The High Court and Supreme Court previously rejected the West Cork woman’s claim for damages against the Education Minister after she was abused by Leo Hickey at Dunderrow National School in 1973.

Complaints had been made about abuse of other pupils before that, although the Supreme Court noted that the Department of Education did not appear to have been informed.