The High court this morning declared a new civil law regarding long-term abuse cases.  

Justice Michael White recognised the long term control and manipulation that an abuser exerts over a victim which facilitates abuse is a civil offence.

The case was taken by Cormac Walsh from Arklow against his abuser Michael Byrne, who’s currently serving a sentence at Arbour Hill arising from criminal proceedings on the abuse.

Deirdre Burke, solicitor for Cormac Walsh, spoke to Lunchtime today about the impact of the new civil law.

Ms Burke says that by bringing the case forward, they succeeded in getting the court to recognise that it's not just the individual act of abuse but the relationship that is cultivated in long-term abuse cases.

"It's huge and this is a first. It's a first for Ireland but it's a first for so many jurisdictions internationally."

You can listen to her interview here: