The Supreme Court has been told that the State is to appeal against a High Court award of £55,000 to Ms Kathryn Sinnott for breach of her constitutional rights due to the State's failure to provide for free basic education for her autistic son, Mr Jamie Sinnott.
It was claimed yesterday that the State's stance conflicted with recent statements on the case by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister for Education and Science, Dr Woods.
The State has committed itself to paying a High Court award of £222,500 damages to Mr Sinnott (23), Ballinhassig, Co Cork, but yesterday indicated it was appealing all the High Court's findings in a parallel case taken by Ms Sinnott. These include £55,000 damages. Ms Sinnott has already received £15,000 special damages included in that award and, regardless of the outcome of the appeal, the State said it would not seek repayment of the £15,000.