Supreme Court rules on Sinnott hearing

The Supreme Court has overturned the High Court ruling in the case of Co Cork autistic man Jamie Sinnott.

The seven judges agreed that the constitutional rights of 23-year-old Jamie Sinnott were breached because of the State's failure to provide a primary education for him.

However, the Supreme Court ruled that the obligation on the State to provide such an education stopped at the age of 18.

Damages of £40,000 will not now be paid to Jamie's mother Kathryn Sinnott.

The action was brought against the State by Ms Sinnott, who maintained that the Government should provide free education facilities to those who need them and not just to people who are younger than 18-years-old.

The case was first brought to the High Court, which ruled that the State had breached the constitutional rights of the 23-year-old man.

However, the case was appealed by the Government to the Supreme Court.