Court tells headmaster he must wait 15 minutes before caning

 

MUST COUNT BEFORE HE CANES

A headmaster was told in court in Dublin today [28 October 1935] that before punishing a pupil he must count to 15 – minutes!

Patrick Sheerin, headmaster of Harold’s Cross National Schools, Dublin, was accused of assaulting a 10-year-old schoolboy.

It was alleged that Sheerin struck the boy with his clenched fist and beat him with a cane. He was ordered under the Prohibition of Offenders Act to enter into recognisances in £20 to keep the peace for 12 months.

He was also ordered not to punish any pupils in the school during that time without first allowing 15 minutes to elapse between the offence and the administration of punishment.

If he fails to keep the condition, he was told he will have to appear in court for conviction and sentence.

As reported in the Daily Herald (UK), 29 October 1935.

Picture credit unknown.

Traditional School Discipline

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