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RTÉ News

Taoiseach (and two Ministers) will meet with Louise O'Keeffe in 'the coming weeks'

It was originally hoped that this meeting would take place in September.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS confirmed that a date is close to being set for a meeting with abuse survivor Louise O’Keeffe.

Last January, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found in favour of Louise O’Keeffe in her case against the Irish state, making them liable for the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her primary school principal.

The Taoiseach soon made a public apology.

O’Keeffe requested in August for a meeting with the Taoiseach and Minister for Education before the end of September.

Spokespeople for both Enda Kenny and Jan O’Sullivan confirmed that this meeting is now likely to take place “in the coming weeks”, and that Minister for Children James Reilly will now also be involved.

The spokesperson defended the delay in arranging the meeting, and said that it was a matter of finding a time when all four parties were available.

Speaking to RTÉ’s This Week programme in August, O’Keeffe said he has been “very disappointed” with the State’s response to the landmark ECtHR ruling, and that quick contact wasn’t made with victims whose cases were similar to O’Keeffe’s.

The Government was to review these cases.

“It beggars belief that they haven’t made any contact at all with any of these people,” she said.

Read: Taoiseach says he will meet Maíria Cahill as pressure increases on Sinn Féin >

‘Please act on it’: Louise O’Keeffe’s appeal to Taoiseach after apology >

Column: Louise O’Keeffe ruling shows Ireland’s school patronage system is unworkable

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Nicky Ryan
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