Let us never forget the horrific consequences of abuse at school

I have just read the book Whispering Hope, the harrowing account of five wonderful women who were confined in the Magdalene Laundries.

It brought back memories of my own boarding school life. Sadistic punishments were the norm. Both my brother and I made our First Communion in a well-established convent in Dublin at the age of 6 and 7 under ruthless and frustrated nuns who made our life hell.

We went on to another private school in Dublin in the 1960s. Physical and mental abuse was rampant.

Fear was the chief motivator from dawn to dusk. One priest at the time was a tyrant who ruled with fear and a leather strap.

We got a reasonable education but at a high price. Afterwards it was extremely difficult to survive outside the walls.

God forgive us in this country for accepting any kind of abuse in our schools.

Brian Mc Devitt

Ardconnaill

Glenties

Co Donegal