Judge Adams presided over the Limerick Quarter Sessions and announced that he would deliver judgment in a slander case heard on Friday during the next Quarter Sessions. On Monday, the court addressed civil business pertaining to the city and resumed the hearing of defended civil bills from the county.

One of the cases involved Michael Quinlan suing a servant boy named Robert Ryan for damages due to a breach of agreement in leaving Quinlan’s employment and alleged neglect of duty. After the presentation of evidence, Mr Doyle, the solicitor, argued that the agreement should have been in writing and made in a house, as stipulated by the Statute of Frauds. However, Judge Adams questioned the practice of hiring servants in the county and criticized Mr Doyle’s argument, suggesting it was nonsensical.

Judge Adams clarified that the Statute of Frauds applied to contracts that could be performed within one year, and in this case, the contract was for one year. A contract for one year that commenced on a subsequent day fell within the scope of the statute. He mentioned that the agreement was likely made on the roadside, which was customary in the county, or in a public house. The judge emphasized the importance of upholding the sanctity of contracts, particularly in a county where farmers had to pay high wages to their servants.

Judge Adams expressed his reluctance to disturb the established practice of hiring servants in the county. He considered the case suitable for an appeal, acknowledging that Mr Doyle might find favour with some of the judges. However, he believed that an implied contract existed in this instance and decided to award a decree of two guineas to the plaintiff.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 12 April 1904