FROM THE ARCHIVES:The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children came up with some dubious solutions to the problem of "illegitimate" children in 1932. The Irish Timesheadlined its report "A Menace to the State" and commented in an editorial that "the birth of illegitimate children must be discouraged by the more drastic penalising of loose morals and by the better protection of foolish or frail innocence". – JOE JOYCE
IN THE annual report of the Dublin and District Branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, presented to the members at their meeting in the Gresham Hotel yesterday, it was stated that a suggestion had been make to the Ministry of Local Government that a State official should be made guardian of all illegitimate children – that they become, to all intents and purposes, wards in Court.
The report stated that the treatment of mentally deficient and epileptic children was in a sadly backward state in Ireland.
Major Sir Nevile Wilkinson, in opening the meeting, said that perhaps the most pitiable cry for help came to them from the uncared-for, feeble-minded child.
He knew that noble, self-sacrificing work which was being done by the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul at Cabra, and by others elsewhere; but for one case that was properly cared for there were scores who remained helpless and uncared for, to grow up to be a misery to themselves and a menace to the State.
Had Dr. Leeper been there, he would have warned them that, if there was no check placed by wise legislation upon reproduction by the imbecile and feeble-minded, the outlook for the State was a dark one.
General O’Duffy, seconding the motion, [said] the problem of illegitimate children and their treatment was in many ways one of the most sordid features of their social life.
In the year 1929 thirteen infants were murdered; there were forty-nine cases of concealment, and ten cases of children under two years of age being abandoned.
In 1930 twelve infants were murdered; there were forty-six cases of concealment of birth, and eleven children found abandoned. In 1931 seven infants were murdered; there were fifty-nine cases of concealment of birth, and eight children were found abandoned.
He regretted to say that the figures could not be considered indicative of a downward trend in cases of major violence against infants. They could not rid their minds of the fact that the decrease in murders was more than offset in 1931 by the frequency of cases of concealment of birth. Hence it was that the lot of the unwanted child was anything but congenial to its welfare.
The time has arrived, General O’Duffy continued, not only for a more effective administration of the existing law, but for the adoption by the Legislature of provisions designed to place baby farmers under more efficient supervision, and control.
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