Ahern: Woman will not have to sell house after failed legal action

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has told the Dáil that a Cork woman facing a €500,000 costs bill following a failed legal action against the State will not be forced to sell her house.

The State is currently pursuing mother-of-two Louise O'Keefe for the costs incurred during the action earlier this year.

Ms O'Keefe was sexually abused in the 1970s by a school principal who was jailed in 1998 for sexually assaulting 20 children.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte raised the matter in the Dáil today, but Mr Ahern said that she would not be forced to sell her house.

"The State Claims Agency told the lady's solicitor on the record at an early meeting that, while some arrangement would have to be made in relation to costs, there was no question whatsoever of her losing a house," he said.