Recollections of teacher Pat Carton from a former De La Salle Downpatrick pupil
IN the 1980s physical violence – or what was euphemistically called corporal punishment - was rife in secondary schools across the north, including my own.
Slapping was a daily occurrence and beatings were common in my all-boys school in Downpatrick. Some of the religious brothers were especially physical, often going into an unrestrained rage, punching and kicking pupils for often minor misdemeanours.
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Sexual abuse was much less visible and in my experience low level and only hinted at. I’d heard reports of brothers touching boys inappropriately though I never witnessed it myself.
In this environment Pat Carton stood out as a rather benign character. He was quiet, reserved and uncharismatic. He loved chess and organised tournaments for pupils.
He was also a good maths teacher and delivered some exceptional results in what at the time was a poorly performing school. As far as I can recall, he refrained from using any form of corporal punishment.
When I heard of the charges against him I was surprised. There was nothing in his behaviour in class that suggested a deviant, sadistic streak.
The judge yesterday described Carton as a “beacon of respectability” and until reports of his abusive behaviour emerged that is what I and many of my former classmates believed.
Given the numerous revelations about historic sexual abuse, nobody should be surprised when an ostensibly upright figure is implicated in some vile behaviour.
