BishopAccountability.org
	Floggings Administered in 'Almost Ritualistic' Way at Daingean Reformatory Offaly Express May 27, 2009 http://www.offalyexpress.ie/15744/Floggings-administered-in-39almost-ritualistic39.5307361.jp ST Conleth's was used by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a reformatory from 1870 to 1973, with the exception of the years 1934-40, when it served as a novitiate for the order. The reopening of the reformatory was a matter of considerable debate, and followed a visit to Daingean in November 1939 by the then Taoiseach and Minister for Education, Eamon De Valera. Over 200 boys were taken there under Garda escort from an institution in Glencree, Co Wicklow. The building was held by the order under a 99-year lease from the Government, which bought the farm and outlying buildings from the Oblates for 4,500 pounds, a considerable sum in those days. In addition, the Oblates received 6,000 pounds for improvements and 2,500 in respect of debts at Glencree. Most of the boys sent to Daingean came from Dublin or the other main cities, in most cases for trivial offences. Daingean's isolation, seen as a problem by Government officials, was looked on as an advantage by the order, which wished to isolate the boys from family and friends. The Ryan Report refers to the extensive use of flogging in St Conleth's, the beating of boys with hurleys, sticks, or, in the case of one Brother, a garden hose and spade. Flogging was seen as more common in Daingean than in other institutions, and was administered in an "almost ritualistic" way. The Department of Education is accused of "indifference" to a "flagrant breach of the rules" regarding flogging. The report also refers to three riots in Daingean, in 1956, 1958 and an earlier incident which was not dated. It also cites an attempt to burn down the buidling in 1968. Not surprisingly, absconding was a major feature, with 35 boys absconding 46 times between 1963-72.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.