A Cork woman has been awarded 30 thousand euro in damages by the European Court of Human Rights over abuse she suffered as a schoolgirl.

The Irish state denied liability for the abuse suffered by Louise O'Keeffe - saying it had no knowledge of the incident.

Ms O'Keeffe's abuser Leo Hickey was subsequently jailed for the abuse of a sample of 21 girls.

In a statement the Department of Education said they would now look at the judgement by the E-C-H-R for its implications.

Juliette Gash reports;