At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County and City of Limerick in 1902, several key issues were discussed, including county crown business, ejectments, malicious injury applications, and land and equity sessions for the Division of Limerick. The sessions aimed to address a range of issues affecting the people of Limerick, such as property disputes, criminal cases, and public health matters.
The Michaelmas Sessions for the Division of Limerick began on Saturday, 3rd January, with county crown business, ejectments, and county undefended civil bills. On Monday, 5th January, the sessions dealt with malicious injury applications for the Division and City of Limerick, as well as undefended civil bills. The following day, the Land and Equity Sessions for the Division of Limerick took place.
On Wednesday, 7th January, the sessions focused on county defended civil bills, while on Thursday, 8th January, county defended civil bills for O to Z were addressed. Finally, on Friday, 9th January, city defended civil bills were considered.
Due to the large number of cases to be heard, entries for ordinary civil bills, ejectments, defences, and other cases had to be submitted to the Crown and Peace Office before 4 o’clock p.m., two clear days before the first day of the sessions.
Applicants for spirit licenses were required to serve notices on the Clerk of the Crown and Peace, the two nearest magistrates, and the District Inspector of Constabulary or the Head Constable 21 clear days before the sessions. Additionally, they needed to advertise their applications in a local newspaper two to four weeks before the intended hearing date.
Applications under the Doth and Dist Vic were required to submit three copies of the notice, along with stamps for the Clerk of Crown and Peace’s fee on required forms. Entries for civil bills needed to be submitted separately and free from alterations, while process officers’ complaints had to be lodged before the civil business began.
Process officers were prohibited from filling in civil bills, but they were allowed to serve civil bills in any part of the Division for which they were appointed. They were also required to serve civil bill ejectments if necessary. Civil bills were to be given to process officers well before the last day of service at the sessions, so the officers could not be held accountable for service delays.
Complaints against process officers were heard before the commencement of civil business, and those sending civil bills, notices to renew, etc., through the post needed to provide a stamped cover for the process officer to return the original items after serving them.
In applications under Section 30 of the Land Law Act 1887 involving cases of ejectment for non-payment of rents, applicants were required to serve notice on the plaintiff’s solicitor nine days before the holding of the civil bill court. This notice had to detail the relief being sought and provide a schedule outlining the applicant’s assets and any recent changes to them, as well as their general indebtedness. A of the notice and schedule had to be delivered to the Clerk of the Crown and Peace four days before the holding of the civil bill court.
By addressing these various issues and holding regular sessions, the County and City of Limerick aimed to maintain order and address the needs of the community, providing a framework for resolving disputes, managing public health, and regulating the sale of alcohol.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 16 December 1902