Corporal punishment is currently outlawed in schools, but Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe that has not yet banned corporal punishment in the home.
Our common law defence of reasonable chastisement permits the smacking of children, found to be violating Article 17 which protects children against “negligence, violence or exploitation.”
However, not everyone agrees. Irish Independent Columnist Miriam Donoghue says she has smacked her own children.
"Like it or not, giving a slap, or even the threat of giving one, can be a very effective way of getting children to behave. If, for example, your child is being giddy and is about to run across the road the instinct is to give a tap on the arm or leg to stop him or her. There is no time to cajole."
