Farm to be sold to pay sex abuse damages

A FARM in Co Offaly is to be sold by order of the High Court to pay compensation to a woman who was sexually abused by her father.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne in the High Court yesterday granted a “well charged” order in relation to €2.1 million due to the woman from her late father. This means the woman, who had received a judgment mortgage against the property in 2007, will receive an equitable interest in the property.

Ms Justice Dunne also ordered the sale of the property which becomes effective in three to four months time, should the money not be paid. Counsel for the woman told the court there had been long delays in moving the case on. An attempt by the father to transfer the house and land to another family member had already been set aside by the High Court.

Counsel said the award of damages had initially amounted to €1.7 million but with accumulated interest, it was now €2.1 million.

The case was taken against an administrator of the estate, the father having died in 2006. A request by the administrator for an adjournment, in order to notify another beneficiary of the estate, was rejected.