BELFAST — Father Creagh, the Catholic clergyman who gained notoriety for his recent anti-Semitic statements in Limerick, is currently on a clerical visit to Belfast. His remarks drew immediate criticism from Mr Michael Davitt, who accused Father Creagh of attempting to boycott the Jewish community on behalf of the Shannon, leading to a heated exchange of letters between the two. While the exact positions of the Reverend and his critics remain somewhat unclear, a representative from the Whig sought an interview with Father Creagh to shed light on his perspective.
Described as a young and athletic man in his thirties, Father Creagh was forthcoming in the interview and clarified his stance on the matter. “I harbour no animosity towards Jews as a race, and I readily acknowledge that many Jewish businessmen are respectable individuals,” he stated. “What people have labelled as my crusade is solely directed at a particular group of Jewish traders who exploit and oppress those unfortunate enough to fall under their influence. They charge exorbitant sums through instalment plans from those who can ill afford to pay, and that is my concern.”
Father Creagh explained that he serves as the Director of a religious association called the Holy Family in Limerick, which boasts a membership of approximately 7,000 men and boys. This responsibility, he asserted, extends his duty to protect his people from ruinous trading practices that he has witnessed causing significant harm. “Our Irish people tend to be imprudent and thoughtless, often falling into miserable situations due to engaging in deals with certain Jewish traders,” he added. He made it clear that his statements were unrelated to religion and that Mr Davitt had introduced that aspect needlessly.
The clergyman proceeded to discuss the exorbitant interest rates charged by Jewish lenders for small sums of money, citing records from the Mayor’s Conscience Court book to support his claim. According to the data, over 500 summonses had been issued by Jewish lenders against individuals in Limerick over the past two years. “In Limerick, Jews have infiltrated various business sectors, and some even operate under Irish names,” Father Creagh elabourated. “I do not object to their ethnicity or religion, and if they conducted themselves like ordinary citizens, I would have no grievances. However, when I see them amassing wealth at the expense of impoverished people through unfair commercial practices, it becomes my duty to protect my community through advice and influence.”
When asked about reports of riots allegedly sparked by the anti-Jewish sentiment he had stirred in Limerick, Father Creagh downplayed the extent of the incidents. “These accounts have been greatly exaggerated. I strongly discourage violence and have consistently used my influence to prevent it. Jews in Limerick need not fear any harm. I simply urged the members of our association to refrain from engaging with them for their own well-being,” he asserted.
Father Creagh acknowledged receiving numerous letters, some from Dublin, in support of his statements about the Jews in Limerick. However, he also received abusive and threatening correspondence. Despite these threats, he remained resolute in his position and vowed to continue his efforts, even if his life were at risk. He emphasized that both Protestants and Catholics in Limerick endorsed his actions, with some Protestants who had suffered negative experiences expressing their support.
In conclusion, Father Creagh highlighted the socioeconomic challenges faced by the majority of the people in Limerick, making them vulnerable to exploitative trading practices. Regarding Mr Davitt’s letter, he mentioned that his original intent was to address the local circumstances in Limerick. However, in his response, he included historical references from Abbe Rohrbacher’s “
History of the Church,” detailing instances of Jewish murderers targeting children. He believed he had provided evidence from Pasteur’s “History of the Popes” that Jews had historically posed a threat to Christian society. He clarified that his concerns were rooted in economic matters rather than religious bias.
The interview concluded with Father Creagh mentioning that a representative body of the Confraternity, unbeknownst to him, expressed gratitude for his speeches, condemned Mr Davitt’s tone, and assured that no violence would be incited against Jews. A similar resolution was passed by trade delegates at the Mechanics’ Institute in Limerick. As the representative thanked Father Creagh and departed, he couldn’t help but reflect on the historical insights casually intertwined in the conversation, suggesting that if he were a Jew residing in Limerick, he would consider leaving the city due to potential trade repercussions, rather than fear of personal violence.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 16 February 1904
