In 1971, our client was a nine-year-old boy starting at a new primary school. That school, and the secondary school he later attended, were both run by a religious institution.
Over the two years covering fifth and sixth class, it was the client’s case that he was subjected to sustained sexual abuse, carried out for the most part by one of his teachers. When he moved on to the secondary school run by the same institution, the abuse continued, this time at the hands of two of his rugby coaches.
The physical injuries from that time healed. The psychological harm did not. He was later diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and the effects of what he had experienced as a child continued to affect ordinary aspects of his adult life for decades afterwards.
Claims arising from childhood sexual abuse are treated differently under Irish law. Under section 48A of the Statute of Limitations Act 1957, special provisions may apply where psychological injury has substantially impaired a survivor’s ability to bring proceedings. Civil claims of this nature are brought through the courts rather than the Injuries Resolution Board.
Coleman Legal LLP issued High Court proceedings on the client’s behalf, obtained independent expert evidence concerning the injuries he had suffered and prepared the case for trial.
The outcome
The case resulted in a €425,000 settlement. Setting the matter down for trial was a turning point. With a trial date secured, negotiations took place over three days, and a settlement of €425,000 was agreed.
For a historical institutional abuse claim of this kind, reaching that point depended on the case being fully prepared and ready to be heard.
How Coleman Legal helped
Patrick Coleman acted for the client throughout. He guided him through each stage of the proceedings, worked with the independent experts who assessed the harm the client had experienced, and kept the case on course for trial so that it could be resolved.
In this case, securing a trial date was an important step towards achieving a settlement. The preparation undertaken throughout the proceedings helped bring this historical child sexual abuse claim to a resolution.
