No constitutional time limit on education, trial hears

The Supreme Court has been told that there is nothing in the constitution which puts a time limit on the provision of primary education.

Lawyer Dermot Gleeson, acting on behalf of Mrs Catherine Sinnott, is challenging a proposal by the State that free primary education should cease at the age of 18.

Mr Gleeson cited the example of a young child going into a coma after a road accident.

He said that under the State's argument, if the child came out of the coma after passing 18, it would have no obligation to educate him/her.

Mr Gleeson described that as "unacceptable", and accused the State of "trying to pare down the right to free education".

Mrs Sinnott's 23-year-old autistic son Jamie was awarded almost £250,000 last year after the High Court found the State had failed to provide him adequate education.

The State is appealing the decision.