Louth TD highlights cases of men who suffered in the school system in the 70s

The cases of two men who suffered in the school system in the 1970s were raised in Leinster House last week by Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú who revealed how one of the men contacted him after the controversy over the unnecessary hip operations at Temple Street.

The Louth man, who is now in his sixties, spoke to Deputy Ó Murchú after the TD did an interview on LMFM, about Children’s Health Ireland and the scandal at Temple Street. 

Deputy Ó Murchú told the Dáil: “The man's mother died when he was six months old. He had meningitis at 16 months old and as a result, began having problems with his hip. He had osteomyelitis, which is an infection that affects the bone, and needed treatment.

“He was placed in a hospital setting and was there for years, probably between 1970 and 1973. He attended school while he was in hospital. He also spoke about what I will just refer to as treatment, although everyone can imagine what happened within this setting.

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“The doctors tell him now that they find the details of the operations which he has undergone, and which have impacted his life, to be incredibly strange. I will be looking for Government engagement at an official level on this case”.

Another man spoke to the TD about historic abuse, both physical and sexual, within a school setting. Deputy Ó Murchú said: “He brought the matter to the attention of An Garda Síochána but it has not been progressed. He is not even sure whether the inquiry that is to happen in respect of sexual abuse in schools will relate to him. But he wants answers.

“I ask the Minister and her Government colleagues to ensure that there is communication with the people involved in these two cases. I will pass on the details in order that matters might be progressed”.