A woman who was sexually abused over seven years by her Irish dancing teacher has won the right to have her abuser named.

Earlier this week, Dana Doherty was awarded €400,000 after the court found she had been sexually abused by dance teacher Michael Quigley of Barnhill Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Mr Quigley had tried to prevent the publication of his name pending an appeal.

However, Mr Justice Sean Ryan said there was no reason to withhold publication of his name if the victim did not want her identity protected.

A short stay was granted this morning while Mr Quigley applied to the Supreme Court on the publication issue. That application to the Supreme Court was unsuccessful.

His lawyers had argued that his name should not be published before the outcome of a Supreme Court appeal as irreparable damage would be done to Mr Quigley and his family.

The court was told there was nothing to prevent Mr Quigley being named in a previous criminal trial in which the jury failed to agree on a verdict.

Mr Justice Ryan said he had found Ms Doherty's evidence to be credible and cogent.

He found that Mr Quigley had abused her over a number of years and had also interfered with two other witnesses who gave evidence against him in the case.

However, he agreed to place a stay on the compensation order pending an appeal to the Supreme Court on what Mr Quigley's lawyers said was an important legal point regarding delay in taking the case.

However, an immediate partial payment of €50,000 should be made, he said.

Counsel for Mr Quigley had earlier told the court he was a retired man of no means and no money.

Lawyers for Ms Doherty said the reason for this was because he had transferred two houses into the sole name of his wife in recent years.

Ms Doherty, who is now 41, had taken a civil action against her former dance teacher over the abuse, which happened between 1982 and 1989 when she was between 12 and 19 years old.

He denied all the allegations and his lawyers argued that she should be prevented from taking the action because of the delay in bringing proceedings.

However, Mr Justice Ryan found she should not be prevented from taking the action.

He ruled she had suffered a severe psychological injury as a result of the abuse, which had affected her ability to take the case.

The court had heard that she is suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is believed to be the first time this issue has ever been fought and decided in court.

In making the award, the judge said it was difficult to overstate the profound and lasting effects of prolonged sexual abuse on a person whose childhood was blighted by this conduct.