Evidence concluded yesterday in a lengthy legal action taken by a Co Cork man, who is said to be autistic, against the Minister for Education and the State. The outcome of the case of Mr Jamie Sinnott could have major consequences in relation to education provision for autistic children in the State.
Mr Sinnott and his mother, Kathryn, of Ballinhassig, Co Cork, are seeking a declaration that their constitutional rights have been violated by the State's failure to provide free primary education for Mr Sinnott to date, an order that such education be provided now, and damages.
The lengthy hearing opened last November and has heard evidence from a large number of witnesses, including Mrs Sinnott (who is Jamie's primary carer), experts on autism, teachers and educational psychologists.
The evidence concluded yesterday, and the case was adjourned to February 14th to facilitate preparation of legal submissions. Mr Justice Barr will begin hearing submissions on that date, after which it is expected he will reserve judgment.
Yesterday Dr Rita Honan, Director of Autistic Services for the Eastern Health Board region, was cross-examined about her belief that Mr Sinnott is not autistic but rather falls within the severely mentally handicapped range of cognitive functioning.
Dr Honan agreed with Mr Michael Gleeson SC, for the Sinnotts, that she did not have time to do a full assessment and had seen Mr Sinnott during a visit lasting 1 1/2 hours to his home last November. She disagreed that she only saw Mr Sinnott himself for 10 minutes during that visit. Time constraints meant she could not do a full formal assessment and she would have preferred to do that.
When questioning Mrs Sinnott about her son, Dr Honan said, she had used a standard method by which children are assessed for autism.
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