A man (52) who for almost 30 years blocked out the memory of the sexual abuse he suffered as a schoolboy is to receive damages of €315,000.

The High Court heard the abuse occurred when he was in primary school in Sligo between 1969 and 1972.

The man suppressed memories of being fondled repeatedly by a male member of a religious order, who taught him in primary school during 4th, 5th and 6th class.

In 1999 he was contacted by gardai because other pupils in the school identified him as someone who had suffered sexual abuse.

It was only when, without any prompting, gardai asked him to describe daily life at the primary school that he began to remember what had happened to him.

He sued the former Brother and the head of the his order in Ireland for damages and has been awarded the €315,000.

High Court Judge Iarfhlaith O'Neill said he is satisfied that the man's recalling of suppressed memories was 'spontaneous' and he believes the fact they were blocked out for so long 'illustrates how deeply traumatic this abuse was for him'.