Dundee Courier, 1 Oct 1887
Mary Ann Carroll, ten years of age, was brought before the Court as an applicant for the Industrial School. It was reported by Sergeant Gamble that the girl was the daughter of Owen Carroll, a riveter, who resided in Foundry Lane. She had been at school, and could read and write, but she was in the habit of running about the streets all day and staying out at night and telling lies. A few nights ago she was in the Curr Refuge, where she told a pitiable story about her mother being dead, and that she was homeless and destitute. Her father and mother were both alive, but were said to be drunken in their habits, and both had been frequently before the Police Court. They had other two children, and they lived in a one-roomed house, which was entirely destitute of furniture with a shake down for a bed. When working, Carroll earned £1 a week, but he had been idle for some time, and was presently out of town searching for work. The parents professed the Roman Catholic religion. The mother appeared in Court, and said she would like the girl sent to some school— the Dundee one if she could be admitted, as she had got the upper hand of her and her husband. She was sure her husband would be very glad if the girl was sent to some institution. The Bailie dismissed the application, remarking that in the absence of the girl's father he could not interfere in the case.
