- Volume 1
- Volume 2
-
Volume 3
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Social and demographic profile of witnesses
- Circumstances of admission
- Family contact
- Everyday life experiences (male witnesses)
- Record of abuse (male witnesses)
- Everyday life experiences (female witnesses)
- Record of abuse (female witnesses)
- Positive memories and experiences
- Current circumstances
- Introduction to Part 2
- Special needs schools and residential services
- Children’s Homes
- Foster care
- Hospitals
- Primary and second-level schools
- Residential Laundries, Novitiates, Hostels and other settings
- Concluding comments
- Volume 4
Chapter 11 — Glin
BackPhysical abuse
He received an acknowledgement on 8th August. On 25th August he sent a copy of the medical report which read: [The boy] was examined by me at William St. Barracks on August 1st 1945. Examination revealed on posterior surface of right upper arm, on right forearm and on back – wheals – about 2 to 3” long. The wheals were not tender or sore and was such as would be produced by a leather thong.
Religious Congregations’ evidence
He received an acknowledgement on 8th August. On 25th August he sent a copy of the medical report which read: [The boy] was examined by me at William St. Barracks on August 1st 1945. Examination revealed on posterior surface of right upper arm, on right forearm and on back – wheals – about 2 to 3” long. The wheals were not tender or sore and was such as would be produced by a leather thong.
This medical report showed that the boy was severely beaten in a way that was against the regulations at that time.
This medical report showed that the boy was severely beaten in a way that was against the regulations at that time.
Six weeks later, on 19th September, the Councillor had not received a reply from the Minister so he wrote again. He wrote, ‘As this matter is now long outstanding I would like to have a full reply to my letter. Will you kindly facilitate me in this connection at your earliest convenience’.
Six weeks later, on 19th September, the Councillor had not received a reply from the Minister so he wrote again. He wrote, ‘As this matter is now long outstanding I would like to have a full reply to my letter. Will you kindly facilitate me in this connection at your earliest convenience’.
The Councillor was sent a brief note from the Secretary of the Department of Education dated 29th September 1945. The note said: I am directed by the Minister for Education to say that he has had full enquiries made into the circumstances of the case and has taken appropriate action in connection therewith.
The Councillor was sent a brief note from the Secretary of the Department of Education dated 29th September 1945. The note said: I am directed by the Minister for Education to say that he has had full enquiries made into the circumstances of the case and has taken appropriate action in connection therewith.
The Councillor immediately wrote back on 1st October to demand answers to his questions, and to ask what ‘appropriate action’ had been taken. He wrote: In view of the grave public importance of the case before us I would ask you to kindly answer the questions as enumerated in my communication of August 3rd. I would also want to be informed under what law and the date thereof that a youth could be submitted to punishment so described in my communication. I would further want to know what appropriate action has been taken in this case at the direction of the Minister of Education.
The Councillor immediately wrote back on 1st October to demand answers to his questions, and to ask what ‘appropriate action’ had been taken. He wrote: In view of the grave public importance of the case before us I would ask you to kindly answer the questions as enumerated in my communication of August 3rd. I would also want to be informed under what law and the date thereof that a youth could be submitted to punishment so described in my communication. I would further want to know what appropriate action has been taken in this case at the direction of the Minister of Education.
This time he did receive a prompt reply, designed to put him in his place: the Minister for Education desires me to inform you that he does not feel called upon to give you the information you have asked for in the matter unless he is supplied with evidence as to your right to obtain that information and is given an assurance as to the purpose for which it is required.
This time he did receive a prompt reply, designed to put him in his place: the Minister for Education desires me to inform you that he does not feel called upon to give you the information you have asked for in the matter unless he is supplied with evidence as to your right to obtain that information and is given an assurance as to the purpose for which it is required.
The Councillor asserted his right to be answered. He wrote: my position as a Public representative entitles me to the information requested ... for the purpose of confirming the allegations made to me which if correct should be ventilated in the interests of the public.
The Councillor asserted his right to be answered. He wrote: my position as a Public representative entitles me to the information requested ... for the purpose of confirming the allegations made to me which if correct should be ventilated in the interests of the public.
Evidence from representatives of the survivor groups
He finally received a reply on 5th January 1946, but it was on condition that it should not be made known to anyone else. He inserted the following note into his file of correspondence: Letter of 5th January 1946 withheld from this file as the contents were given to me at the direction of the Minister for Education for my confidential information.
Footnotes
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- Fr Flanagan was an Irish priest who lived and worked in the United States. He opened his first boys’ home in 1917, which later moved to another location and became known as ‘Boys Town’. He became an acknowledged expert in the field of childcare. He visited Ireland in 1946.
- This is a pseudonym.
- For a full discussion of Father Flanagan’s visit to Ireland see Dáire Keogh ‘There’s no such thing as a bad boy’: Fr Flanagan’s visit to Ireland, 1946, History IRELAND, 12, 1 (Spring 2004) 29-32 and the discussion of his article by Eoin O’Sullivan and Mary Raftery in the letters section of History IRELAND 12,4 (Winter 2004)
- Fr Flanagan was influenced by Walter Mahon-Smith’s book, I did penal servitude, published anonymously.
- This is a pseudonym.
- Dr Anna McCabe was the Department of Education Inspector for most of the relevant period. See Department of Education chapter for a discussion of her role and performance.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is the English version of Mr O Siochfhradha
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is the Irish version of Mr Sugrue
- This is a pseudonym.
- Note there is no indication from the correspondence dealing with the matter that anyone was sent down to investigate the matter. The discovery indicates that the matter was dealt with entirely by correspondence.
- ‘Strong hand’ in Irish.
- This is a pseudonym.
- This is a pseudonym.
- Provided in the research paper produced by John McCormack cfc.