A group of boys at Clongowes faced serious trouble for engaging in a banned activity known as "smugging."
Understanding "Smugging"
The term "smugging" specifically referred to a form of secret homosexual horseplay among the students. This activity, when discovered, involved a number of older boys within the school. It was considered a grave breach of the institution's rules and moral standards.
Consequences of the Incident
Upon the discovery that five students had been caught engaging in "smugging," the news quickly disseminated throughout Clongowes. In response to these serious incidents, the school's Jesuit administration significantly tightened discipline across the board. A direct and notable consequence was an increased application of corporal punishment as a means of enforcing rules and maintaining order among the student body.
