Sexual abuse case summary

A confidential settlement was reached on behalf of a woman who suffered historic sexual abuse by a family member throughout her childhood. The abuse began when the client was six years of age and continued for six years. Coleman Legal represented the client, and the case was resolved without court proceedings. The matter concluded within five months of the initial instruction.

Client background

Our client was a young child when the abuse began. The harm she suffered in what should have been the safety of her family environment stayed with her throughout her life, affecting her personal relationships, her social functioning, and her capacity for work. 

By the time she sought legal advice, she was approximately 40 years old. Despite the decades that had passed, the psychological consequences of what she experienced as a young child remained significant and ongoing.

What happened

Between the ages of six and twelve, our client was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by a family member. The abuse took place over a period of six years within her family environment. The perpetrator was in a position of trust and authority over the client, who was a minor child throughout the period in question. 

The client was not in a position to disclose what was happening at the time. She carried the burden of this experience for many years before she was able to seek legal advice and explore her options. This historic sexual abuse claim in Ireland illustrates the profound and lasting harm that childhood abuse causes, and the importance of access to legal redress regardless of the passage of time.

How the claim was investigated

Coleman Legal engaged a consultant psychiatrist to assess the nature and extent of the psychological injury sustained by the client as a result of the abuse. Historic sexual abuse claims require careful and sensitive handling, both in terms of the evidentiary requirements and the personal demands placed on the client in revisiting their experience. 

The firm secured the expert evidence necessary to establish the connection between the abuse and its lifelong consequences. The defendant’s acknowledgement of what had occurred enabled the matter to be resolved without the need to bring proceedings before the courts, significantly reducing the burden on the client and bringing it to a conclusion within five months of instruction.

Outcome

A settlement was reached in June 2025 on a confidential basis. The case was resolved through negotiation between the parties, without the need for court proceedings. 

The resolution was achieved within five months of Coleman Legal’s initial instruction, which is particularly expedient for a claim of this nature. The outcome allows the client to move forward with an acknowledgement of the harm that was done to her.

How Coleman Legal helped

Patrick Coleman managed this case from the initial consultation, providing careful and sensitive guidance throughout. He coordinated the consultant psychiatrist’s assessment and conducted the negotiations on the client’s behalf. 

Given the deeply personal nature of the claim, Patrick ensured the client was supported at every stage and fully understood the options available to her. The resolution provided the client with formal recognition of the harm she suffered and the opportunity to bring this chapter of her life to a close.

Discuss your case with our team

If you or a family member has experienced historic sexual abuse and you have concerns about your legal position, our solicitors can advise you in confidence. Contact our team at 1800-844-104 or email us at [email protected]. In personal injury cases, the fees payable to your solicitor cannot be calculated as a percentage of any damages or compensation you may receive.

Coleman Legal LLP is regulated by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA). This content is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is determined on its own facts and circumstances.

Discuss your case

Coleman Legal LLP is a litigation practice based in Dublin 1, Ireland, specialising in sexual abuse and institutional abuse claims across the Republic of Ireland. Our solicitors handle these matters with sensitivity and discretion.