State could face hundreds of abuse cases if victim wins European appeal

A European court ruling in Strasbourg this morning could pave the way for hundreds of cases against the Government for abuse of children in schools.

Louise O’Keeffe’s case was heard in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) last March and followed the rejection by the High Court and Supreme Court of her claim for damages against the State. She had said it was liable for the sexual abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her primary school principal in the early 1970s.

If the ECHR finds in her favour, it could lead to a raft of cases proceeding against the Department of Education for historic abuse cases in ordinary schools, as opposed to the residential institutions where children were placed in care by the State. The department has picked up most of the cost of compensating them through the Residential Institutions Redress Board.