State body disputes O'Rourke's claims about costs bill

The State Claims Agency has disputed Senator Mary O'Rourke's assessment that a woman who lost a compensation claim over alleged sexual abuse will not have to pay the costs of her action.

Forty-two-year-old Louise O'Keefe is facing a bill of around €500,000 after losing her case against the State.

She had sought compensation for sexual abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of the principal of the school she attended in Kinsale, Co Cork.

Mrs O'Rourke told the Seanad yesterday that Ms O'Keefe would not have to foot the bill.

However, a spokesman for the State Claims Agency said today that no decision had been made on the matter and he did not know what the basis was for Mrs O'Rourke's remarks.