FROM THE ARCHIVES:From 1934 until 1958 women teachers lost their jobs when they married, as did civil servants (until 1973), in a policy partly based on allowing only one income per family which was widely accepted at the time. The ban was contested occasionally, usually without success, as in this case in Co Limerick.
– JOE JOYCE
Pupils of Ballygoughlin National School, Glin, Co Limerick, are on strike because their teacher, Mrs Elizabeth O’Carroll, has been dismissed. Her dismissal was on the grounds of the marriage ban.
In addition to keeping their children from school, where Mrs O’Carroll has been replaced by Mr Thomas McKeon, parents in the locality have signed a petition, which has been sent to the Minister for Education, the Bishop of Limerick and the manager of the school, the Very Rev Michael Ryan, PP, Glin. The petition asks for Mrs O’Carroll’s reinstatement.
The strike began on Tuesday last, when Mrs O’Carroll was handed her dismissal notice. On the following day only four children went to school; on Thursday the number fell to three, and on Friday it dwindled to two – out of a total of 43.
Mrs O’Carroll has been principal for 11 years. Two years ago she married, but claims that she cannot be retired under the marriage ban because she had service as a teacher before the ban came into operation in June, 1934, eight months before she qualified in an English training college. Before qualifying she had taught in a convent in Abbeyfeale.
Her claim has not been accepted by the Department of Education, but, it is stated, during the past two years, it took no steps to retire her. In 20 years of teaching there has never been any complaint against her, she says.
Mrs O’Carroll told reporters that on Thursday week, Mr McKeon – whose 23-year-old sister, Maureen, has been assistant mistress in the school for three years – came into her classroom and said that he was the new principal.
She said that she had not received any notice of dismissal and asked him to leave. He went into the classroom where his sister was taking a class. He remained there for the rest of the day and returned on Friday morning. She locked him out of the school and on Monday and Tuesday again locked him out, but later on Tuesday he entered the school with the acting manager.
At Mass in the local church yesterday morning Fr Ryan told the congregation that in appointing Mr McKeon he was only carrying out the regulations of the department, which had been considering the appointment of a new principal since Mrs O’Carroll’s marriage. Since then she had been employed in a temporary capacity.
He suggested a conference between representatives of the teaching organisation, Mrs O’Carroll, Mr McKeon, the Rev John Connors, CC, and himself to end the dispute.
Last night, Mrs O’Carroll said that the matter was still being considered by the department.
“I want my service prior to the ban recognised,” she said.
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