#635 Beaten at School — Should the State Pick Up the Bill?

In today’s episode, Niall follows up on a tweet that struck a nerve online.

Last week, he spoke to a man who says his life and education were destroyed by teachers in the 1960s and 1970s. He recalls being beaten, caned, and slapped at school, describing an atmosphere of fear that made learning impossible. He left school at just 14 years of age, traumatised and with no formal education — consequences he says have followed him throughout his life.

Corporal punishment was once legal and widely accepted in Irish schools. But does that make it right? And more importantly, does the state now have a responsibility to those who say they were permanently damaged by it?

The man believes the state owes a formal apology — and financial compensation — to victims of corporal punishment in schools.

So we ask the question:

Is he right? Or should today’s taxpayer not be financially burdened for mistakes made decades ago under a different social and legal system?

This episode explores trauma, accountability, historical injustice, and where — if anywhere — responsibility ends.