In the King’s Bench Division, the case of O’Connor v. Cavanagh, a slander action, was brought before the Lord Chief Baron and Mr Justice Gibson. Mr Patrick Kelly, representing the defendant, Mrs. Cavanagh, applied to have the action remitted to the County Court Judge of Limerick. Counsel highlighted that the plaintiff appeared to be an overly sensitive pig buyer and the words in question were: “Charlie O’Connor, you public robber, who stole the timber in my yard.” Counsel argued that the timber, which had been lying in the defendant’s yard for 20 years, held historical significance almost on par with the Treaty Stone. In her affidavit, the defendant denied using those words towards the plaintiff, stating that she was scolding her son at the time and merely requested that the plaintiff not associate with him. Mr Phelps opposed the motion, but the court ultimately granted the remittance.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 09 December 1902