Chapter 6 — Everyday life experiences (male witnesses)

Religion

The practice of religious observance was reported to have brought comfort and sanctuary to some witnesses and hurt to others. There were 381 accounts of regular attendance at Mass in the 26 Schools that were reported to the Committee, with daily Mass more commonly reported by witnesses discharged before the mid-1970s. Daily Rosary, evening benediction and prayers were described as part of the regular timetable by 187 witnesses. Attendance at Mass was either within the institution or at the local parish church where witnesses generally reported being segregated from local people: ‘We sat in our own corner’; ‘We had to attend side chapel in the local parish church’.

Catechism was reported by many witnesses to have been taught ‘vigorously’ in the classroom to the detriment of other lessons.

Clergy from local parishes and elsewhere were reported to undertake a chaplaincy role in some Schools. Witnesses reported that these members of the clergy said Mass, heard Confessions and officiated at various religious ceremonies during the year. It was generally believed that they did not otherwise have a formal role in the operation of the Schools.

Health and medical care

Provision for the assessment and treatment of residents’ health needs was inconsistent as reported among the Schools. Routine medical inspections were reported in most of the Schools and varied from cursory to regular and comprehensive. There were 327 witness reports of some attention and treatment from health professionals being available to residents. Ninety seven (97) witnesses reported having no recollection of receiving any medical or other attention regarding their health.

Witnesses reported being assessed and treated for normal childhood accidental injuries and illnesses as well as physical injuries resulting from assault while resident in the Schools. Medical inspections, on-site infirmaries, immunisation and dental treatment were reported by many witnesses, as indicated in the following table:

Healthcare	Number of reports
Infirmary available	228
Nurse available	185
Doctor attendance	115
Hospital attendance	106
Dental care	65
Immunisation	53
Medical inspection	29

Two hundred and twenty eight (228) witnesses reported that there was an on-site infirmary in the School for the provision of medical care and attention. The infirmaries were described as varying in size from a designated 10-bed unit to a space under the stairs. Infirmaries were generally described as the domain of either male or female religious staff and, in a few instances, lay female nurses. In some Schools the infirmary was reported to be a room where the nurse kept supplies of medicines, including: iodine, bandages and cod liver oil. Residents were sent there for attention and returned to bed in their dormitory.

There were 185 witness reports of availability of nursing care by religious and lay staff in the Schools’ infirmaries. Witnesses reported being sent to the nurse for treatment of ailments including: cuts, bruises, scabies, lice, ringworm, impetigo, boils and abscesses, colds, flu, and rectal prolapse. Childhood injuries, both accidental and non-accidental, were reportedly treated by the nurse and included broken bones, lacerations, and eye, ear and head injuries. Witnesses stated that there was a limited range of non-prescribed medication available and described cod liver oil, castor oil, ‘Black Jack’ and iodine being regularly used.

One hundred and fifteen (115) witnesses reported being seen by local doctors while in the School and 53 witnesses reported being immunised by either a doctor or a School nurse.

The Committee heard 106 witness accounts of hospital attendance while in the Schools for the treatment of accidental and non-accidental injuries in addition to normal childhood conditions such as tonsillitis, appendicitis, tuberculosis, and eye and ear infections.

Nursing staff were reported to be employed in some Schools at different times and the presence of staff described as ‘nurses’ was recalled by witnesses in other Schools. Witnesses reported that unqualified staff carried out many treatments such as lancing boils, treating ringworm and other infections, lacerations and injuries without medical advice.

There were 65 reports of dental treatment, which were reported by witnesses to be mainly extractions. Dentists were reported to have made routine visits to some Schools and in other instances witnesses reported attending local dentists. Among those discharged before the 1970s a number recalled having their teeth extracted without anaesthesia.

Inspections

The Committee heard 145 reports of inspectors visiting the Schools. Witnesses were not always clear which government department the inspectors represented. There were 82 reports of government inspectors visiting the Schools who, it was believed, were primarily concerned with the condition of the physical surroundings. There were 29 reports of classroom inspectors, often referred to as the Cigire. Witnesses believed that these inspectors were concerned with aspects of their education and did not specifically address the individual care and welfare needs of the residents. Witnesses also reported that doctors visited for routine medical inspections.

Ninety seven (97) witnesses reported that the general conditions for their care and welfare were temporarily improved for inspections, with extra food, toothbrushes, schoolbooks, better clothes and bedding reported as available for the duration of the inspector’s visits. Fifty four (54) witnesses reported that the Schools were thoroughly cleaned in preparation and 32 witnesses described being dressed in their ‘Sunday best’ or ‘going-out’ clothes when inspectors came. Twenty eight (28) witnesses reported that bedspreads were put on each bed prior to visits from a Department of Education or other inspector and were removed when the inspector left. Witnesses recalled that the leather straps were put away and residents were warned beforehand to be on their best behaviour and told that the inspector was ‘the teacher’s boss’. Forty one (41) witnesses stated that they were coached in advance about what they could and could not say when the inspectors came. Sixty four (64) witnesses stated that residents were not spoken to directly and that staff were always present. I have no memory of anything really being inspected, we were never spoken to, we wore our Sunday clothes and had extra food. We saw them at a distance, you would see them for a moment standing and looking, they were always accompanied, you would be asked to recite a poem for them in class. • We always knew when inspectors were coming as white quilts and pillows were put on the beds. The inspectors walked around with the Brothers, they didn’t speak to the boys. • The food was always very good with chops or other recognisable meat, vegetable and dessert for the inspection. Boys were coached by Br ...X (Resident Manager)... to say it was like this all the time, the inspector spoke to boys, who followed the instruction with Br ...X... present and did not complain.

Official visitors and others

In addition to routine inspections there were 34 witness accounts of official visitors, including a President, Taoisigh, government ministers, bishops, judges, foreign dignitaries and officials from the Gaelic Athletic Association, politicians, celebrities and superiors of religious orders. There were a further 19 witness reports of visits by priests to examine catechism in the classroom and to conduct retreats. Other visitors included parish priests, professionals and local personalities. Preparations were reported to have been undertaken prior to all visits. A number of Schools were reported to have had official visiting Sundays, usually on a monthly basis, for residents’ parents and relatives.

A small number of witnesses reported being specially dressed up and shown to visiting couples understood to be prospective adoptive and foster parents, some of whom selected witnesses and/or their siblings to adopt or foster. Once a month on visiting Sunday the place was cleaned, we all wore our best clothes, the parents were conducted around, by the priests and Brothers who monitored the visits, we were all warned to say nothing.