LIMERICK—A Terrible Calamity

New Zealand Tablet, 31 December 1908, Page 28

LIMERICK— A Terrible Calamity

Seldom (writes a Dublin correspondent) has so tragic' an event taken place in -Ireland as that which occurred in Mount St. Vincent Orphanage, Limerick, during the first week in November. Some sixty inmates of that fine institution became prostrate- owing, it is thought, to ptomaine poisoning, and notwithstanding all .that medical aid could accomplish, nine of them diedY r The calamity has east a gloom over the city and county,— «,nd has elicited expressions of profound sympathy from every .side. ,AtY the inquest Professor 'McWeeney , the ehiinent " bacteriologist, said that until he had made a chemical examination lie could not state .-the -cause ..of -.death. The funerals of the victims, which "took place at Mount St. Lawrence Cemetery, were attended by an immense concourse of citizens, who showed evident signs of sorrow. The clergy of the city, walking- "in twos> head 6d :i the/nioiirnful;Tprocession., and then at intervals, came the 'hearses containing- "the coffins in which lay. the remains -of, Ythe. youthful /victims. The blinds were closely drawn all along the streets leading to the cemetery, where most pathetic scenes were witnessed at the interment. All the other children who were stricken down are steadily recovering, and it is thought that the death-roll will hot mount higher..- The institution is one of the best managed, in the , kingdom— -a fact testified /to /by Mr. Fagan, Inspector of Industrial Schools, at the inquest,, and others. : : •'"- ' -^ .