Redress scheme may be required for other cases

Although the Government has yet to decide on a response to the landmark European ruling on its liability for sexual abuse in primary schools, its key adviser on child protection says a redress scheme could now be required for similar cases.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s department faces the most serious consequences from the finding on Tuesday that it was vicariously liable for the sexual abuse of Cork woman Louise O’Keeffe by her primary school principal more than 40 years ago. He said afterwards that the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) would have to be considered in detail, and this was echoed yesterday by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

“The Government is taking that judgment very seriously. We will be discussing it at our next Cabinet meeting next Tuesday. I admire Louise O’Keeffe for what she’s done. The case she took has gone on for a very long time,” he said.