Dublin woman sues Scientology church

RTE Interactive News/December 3, 2002

A Dublin woman who claims she was controlled by a cult has begun a High Court legal action for damages.

40-year-old sports shop owner Mary Johnson from Westwood, Foxrock, was a member of the Church of Scientology for two years between 1992 and 1994.

She is now suing the organisation because of the experiences and pressures she claims she suffered while a member and the threats and intimidation when she tried to leave.

In the High Court today her lawyer Sean Ryan said the evidence in the case will show how she was sucked into the organisation and subjected to processes and procedures which brought her under its control and influence.

It is claimed she suffered psychiatric and psychological injuries and post traumatic stress disorder.

She was introduced of Scientology in 1992 when she was upset after a relationship break-up.

In court Sean Ryan described the language of the organisation as psycho-religious-mythical expressions that have no meaning other than that defined by scientology.