During a recent meeting of the Limerick Guardians, there were scenes reminiscent of differing political ideologies and their associated sympathies. Historians, including both red-bot Jacobins and ultra-Royalists, have expressed a peculiar sympathy towards Dr Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, the inventor of the guillotine, who ironically became its first victim. A similar sentiment seemed to pervade the gathering of the Limerick Guardians on Wednesday.

Mr T. Donnellan, a member of the Guardians, made a strong case in favour of granting the chairman the power to suspend any member who repeatedly violated the rules through unnecessary and disruptive interruptions. The urgent need for such stringent measures to maintain even a semblance of good order was evident. Interestingly, Mr Donnellan’s stance surprised those who had predicted that he himself would be among the first to face the consequences of such measures.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by the Limerick Guardians in ensuring productive and orderly proceedings.

Dublin Evening Telegraph – Saturday 03 September 1904