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Legal Battle Ensues as John Corbett Appeals Fine for Keeping Pigs in Limerick Cul-de-Sac | Limerick Archives

Legal Battle Ensues as John Corbett Appeals Fine for Keeping Pigs in Limerick Cul-de-Sac

The highly anticipated annual Hilary Quarter Sessions of the Peace commenced on Monday with the esteemed presence of His Honor Judge Adams. The opening ceremony saw the distinguished participation of His Worship the Mayor, Mr Michael Donnelly, and the High Sheriff, Alderman P. McDonnell, who took their seats on the bench. The gathering also included prominent magistrates such as Mr A. Hill, Mr J. H. Roche, Mr Poole Gabbett, S. Lee, and Mr E. F. Hickson.

The Hilary Quarter Sessions hold great significance in the legal calendar, bringing together renowned judicial figures and local authorities to oversee matters of peace and justice within the community. This year’s sessions commenced with a sense of solemnity and anticipation as the attendees took their places, ready to address the cases and issues before them.

Under the guidance of His Honor Judge Adams, the court proceedings promised to uphold the principles of justice and fairness. The distinguished presence of the Mayor and the High Sheriff served as a testament to the importance of these sessions in maintaining law and order in the city.

As the Hilary Quarter Sessions unfold, citizens eagerly anticipate the outcomes of the cases brought before the court. With a dedicated and experienced panel of magistrates presiding over the proceedings, the community can trust that justice will be served in accordance with the law.

John Corbett, a resident of Patrick Street, has launched an appeal against a £108 fine imposed by the magistrates at the Petty Sessions. The fine was levied due to Corbett’s alleged violation of local bylaws by keeping pigs on his property in a cul-de-sac of Francis Street. The respondents in this case are the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the city. The courtroom witnessed a legal clash between Mr Doyle, representing the Corporation, and Mr James Doyle, acting as Corbett’s counsel.

The heart of the dispute lies in a specific provision within the Corporation’s bylaws, which explicitly forbids the keeping of pigs within forty feet of any residential dwelling. Mr Doyle, representing the Corporation, argued that Corbett’s actions were in clear contravention of this bylaw.

In response, Mr James Doyle, advocating for Corbett, emphasized that the bylaw in question specifically pertained to the prohibition of pig-keeping and should be interpreted within the context of a stable lane. He suggested that the name “Arthur’s Mews” or “Clancy’s Lane,” which the area is known by, implies its historical association with stables rather than residential dwellings. Mr Doyle further asserted that the prosecution seemed to be fueled by a personal feud between Corbett and a member of the Corporation.

During the proceedings, Mr Kennelly, the sub-sanitary officer, provided evidence regarding the pig-keeping activities on Corbett’s premises. He highlighted the presence of numerous residents in the lane as a contributing factor to the Corporation’s decision to pursue the case.

Mr James Doyle then requested to call High Constable Forrest as a witness, which was met with objections from the prosecution on the grounds of his status as a public officer. However, the objections were overruled, and High Constable Forrest was allowed to testify. In a lighthearted moment, Mr Doyle jokingly praised High Constable Forrest as a “magnificent corporate officer.”

His Honor, presiding over the case, acknowledged the cleanliness of Corbett’s premises but emphasized that his decision would be based on the interpretation and enforcement of the bylaws. Despite further legal arguments, His Honor upheld the magistrates’ decision, affirming the validity of the fine imposed on John Corbett for keeping pigs in the residential cul-de-sac.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 05 January 1904

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