November 4, 2010

Date Published: {J}

1910

Barber’s itch

At the Ballinasloe Quarter Sessions last week, an action against a barber in which much interest was taken was heard. The plaintiff was J Kelly, and the defendant P Burke, Ballinasloe.

Mr. Davidson appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. Golding for the defendant.

James Kelly, in reply to Mr. Davidson, said he lived in Poolboy and used to drive the bus for Mr. Kelly. Between the 11th and 15th, he went into Burke’s to get a shave and was shaved by Pat Burke. The next day his face began to pain him, and in three days it was swollen. After four days, he went to Dr. Rossiter.

He went to Burke’s the following day and saw Mrs Burke and had a conversation with her. Next morning, Mrs Burke went up with 12 shillings and said Mr Burke sent her up with it. On the following morning, he went to Burke and said he wanted something more, and Burke gave him 10s. He told Burke that the doctor attended him for the barber’s itch. Burke said it was too bad.

His Honor: His liability is admitted by giving this money.

Witness said he again went to Burke, but was told he would get no more money. He was able to earn about £1 a week on an average.

Dr. Rossiter stated he examined Kelly on two occasions. He was suffering from barber’s rash. Mr Kelly’s objection in preventing him from driving the bus was a good one. It was a very painful disease. It could be caused with a dirty razor.

He might get it without ever getting shaved. He could get this from going through calves.

Patrick Burke, defendant, said it was his assistance that shaved this man. He always disinfects his razors after shaving every customer, and puts the brush in boiling water.

His honour gave a decree for £5 damages.

1935

Poverty and cruelty

Below are glimpses at the lives of three families, the conditions of whose existence came under the observation of the Galway branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. They illustrate conditions which many find it difficult to realise exist.

A man and his three children, aged 6, 10 and 12, lived in a shed not fit for habitation. The children were half naked, filthy, verminous, and had no shoes in the month of November. There was but one bed and that was made of boards and straw covered with a pile of rags. The children were removed. Later they were sent to schools. Father fined 1s.

A mother and two children aged 11 months and 5 years lived in a fine nine-bedroomed house. Only one room was inhabited; this was simply a pile of filth. Mother a dangerous mental case – often locked the two children in the home from early morning until late at night with nobody to look after them.

Mother slept in the only clothing she had, and two children slept in a filthy cot. Mother was sent to Ballinasloe Mental Hospital. Two children taken by aunt; father, who is living in England, contributing to their support.

A father with three grown daughters and three boys aged 10, 12 and 14 years, who had a fairly good home, was charged with ill-treating the boy of 14 years by stabbing him with a hay fork right through the leg.

On the doctor’s evidence that the man was not a fit person to have charge of children and as his wife had to leave him, and also had him charged with ill-treatment, he would ask that the children be sent to schools.

District Justice agreed, and ordered the immediate removal of the children. Sentenced father to three months’ hard labour.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.