€4m award recognises ‘impact of sex abuse’

Record damages of €4m awarded by the High Court to a 55-year-old woman who was repeatedly raped and abused as a teenager may suggest juries are becoming more aware of the long-term effects of child sexual abuse, according to the Rape Crisis Network.

The highest ever amount of damages was made to Jacqueline O’Toole from Pearse St in Dublin last week. Her cousin was also abused by Joseph Carrick, from Blackrock, Co Dublin, and she was awarded €700,000 on the same day.

The related trials were held separately and the size of damages was decided by different juries. A freezing order was also put on Carrick’s assets which include a property portfolio.