Two wretched families have taken refuge in a hole under the bridge at Doonbeg in Ireland. They consist of two widows, Judy and Margaret O'Donnel. Of the eight children, three are ill with jaundice and one is dying of dysentery. Their story is one of gross injustice. Judy O'Donnel's home was levelled to the ground as retribution for giving evidence against a dishonest officer.