Supreme Court to hear case on education policy for handicapped

The Supreme Court will continue to hear arguments today in a case that could determine this country's future education policy for mental and physically handicapped persons.

The State is taking a case to clarify points of law raised in a High Court ruling last year which saw £225,000 awarded to Corkman Jamie Sinnott.

The High Court ruled that the State failed to provide primary education for the autistic 23-year-old.

The court also awarded £15,000 to his mother Katherine Sinnott for special damages.

A further £40,000 was made to Mrs Sinnott for a breach of her constitional rights.

However, the State is now saying that Mrs Sinnott's constitutional rights were not breached and is seeking to retain the £40,000.

The State is anxious to clarify if the right to education must also apply to adults and not just children as defined in the constitution.