The Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick recently addressed the issue of establishing a branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in town, stating that while he would be glad to see it given a fair and sympathetic trial for a six-month period, he remains skeptical about its long-term success. The Bishop believes that the crux of the problem lies in the prevalence of alcoholism within the community, which he identifies as the primary cause of cruelty towards children.

In an attempt to tackle the issue directly, the Bishop proposes a simple, yet potentially effective, solution: closing the public houses a few hours earlier on Saturday nights. He contends that this measure could contribute significantly more towards curbing child cruelty than operating numerous branches of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The initiative has sparked differing opinions among the local population, with some supporting the Bishop’s perspective on addressing the root of the problem, while others argue that the proposed measure is insufficient to combat such a complex issue. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will be granted the opportunity for a trial period in Limerick or if alternative measures will be sought to ameliorate the distressing situation.

Portsmouth Evening News – Friday 02 January 1903