High Court hears aggravated damages claim

01 February 2005 20:01
A 45-year-old man who claims he suffered sexual and physical torture as a child in care is claiming aggravated damages from the State.

Raymond Noctor told the High Court that the abuse continued at St Joseph's Industrial School in Kilkenny even after he complained personally to the Bishop of Ossory, Dr Peter Birch.

Mr Noctor said the abuse started at the Sisters of Charity-run institution in 1971 when he was 12 and continued for four years.

The court was told he was raped two to three times a week by housemaster David Murray.

After it started he complained repeatedly to the head nun - once in the presence of two off-duty garda?, the court heard.

Mr Noctor said the housemaster threatened to bury him in the garden if he told anyone and broke his nose with a hurley stick after he complained to a doctor.

Mr Noctor said he now has a history of alcoholism and suicide attempts as a result of the abuse and lack of education.

Lawyers for the State and St Joseph's said the only issue to be decided is assessment of damages. The hearing before Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan is expected to last six days.