‘Disappointed and saddened at outcome’

Statement from Bernadette Parte, solicitor for Marie Fleming: “My client Marie Fleming has asked me to say that she and Tom and her family greatly appreciate all the efforts that have been made to give Marie’s case a full and speedy hearing, given her circumstances.

“In particular, she would like to thank the court and the legal teams for the State, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Irish Human Rights Commission to achieve this.

“Marie and her family also appreciate very much the level of interest her case has attracted and the enormous support they have received from members of the public.

“Obviously Marie is very disappointed and saddened at today’s outcome and feel it would be inappropriate at the present time to discuss any specific legal or factual aspects of the case having regard to the likelihood of an appeal.”