Hundreds of cases may follow in wake of adoption lawsuit

Thousands of people may come forward to sue the State and religious orders over forced and illegal adoptions following the settlement of a high-profile case in the High Court.

Tressa Reeves and her son Patrick Farrell settled their action over his illegal adoption 57 years ago and expressed hope that the outcome will encourage others in similar situations to take legal action against those responsible.

The Irish Examiner first revealed Mrs Reeves’ case in an exposé in 2010.