A settlement has been reached in a scouting abuse claim in Ireland brought on behalf of a man who was sexually abused by a scout leader during the 1980s. The claim was brought against the scouting organisation and was resolved in June 2026 without admission of liability. The settlement amount is confidential.

Our client

Our client was thirteen years old and a member of a scouting organisation at the time the abuse began. He had joined for the reasons any child joins the scouts, and he and his family trusted that the adults running it would look after him.

What happened

Our client was subjected to prolonged and serious sexual abuse by a scout leader while he was a member of the scouts in Ireland. The abuse took place during the 1980s. It was the case that the organisation was responsible for the scout leader who abused him and for the safety of the children in its care.

The consequences were severe and lasting. Our client suffered serious psychological harm as a result of the abuse, and it went on to affect his ability to work.

How the claim was investigated

Norman Spicer brought the claim against the scouting organisation. Civil claims of this kind are pursued directly through the courts rather than through the Injuries Resolution Board, because they arise from assault and trespass to the person rather than from an ordinary personal injuries action.

Where abuse took place many years ago, the passage of time does not necessarily prevent a claim. Under section 48A of the Statute of Limitations 1957, inserted by the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 2000, a survivor is treated as being under a disability for as long as a psychological injury caused by the abuse substantially impairs their capacity to bring proceedings.

A consultant psychiatrist was instructed to set out the nature and extent of the psychological harm our client had suffered and how it had affected his working life.

The outcome

The scouting abuse claim was resolved in June 2026 by way of a settlement reached without the organisation admitting liability. The settlement amount is confidential and is not published. The resolution brought the proceedings to a close without our client having to give evidence at a contested hearing.

How Coleman Legal Helped

Norman Spicer handled this case from the first consultation through to settlement. He gathered the evidence needed to establish what had happened decades earlier, instructed the consultant psychiatrist whose report set out the psychological harm and its effect on our client’s working life, and dealt with the organisation on our client’s behalf. He kept our client informed at each stage and explained the options open to him before any decision was taken.

Discuss Your Case. Survivors of sexual abuse within scouting organisations often continue to experience the emotional and psychological effects of what happened long into adulthood. Coleman Legal LLP understands the courage it can take to come forward and is committed to providing compassionate, confidential, and supportive legal advice throughout the claims process. If you experienced sexual abuse while involved in a scouting organisation, or in any other organisation where you should have been protected, our experienced abuse solicitors can help you understand your legal rights and advise you on the options available to you. To speak with our Scouting abuse claim team in confidence, contact Coleman Legal LLP on our free helpline number 1800 844 104 or email us at [email protected]