During a meeting of the Limerick Guardians on Wednesday, scenes unfolded that elicited a sense of sympathy akin to the inventor of the guillotine, who himself met his own creation. Historians with varying perspectives, from red-hot Jacobins to ultra-Royalists, find some resemblance in these sentiments. The meeting witnessed Mr T. Donnellan strongly advocating for granting the chairman the power to suspend any member who disrupts proceedings with unnecessary and tumultuous interruptions.

It has become apparent that stringent measures must be implemented to maintain even a semblance of good order. Mr Donnellan’s proposition seeks to address the issue, potentially disappointing those who had predicted that he himself would be among the first to face such consequences.

The disruptions at the meeting have underscored the need for maintaining decorum and ensuring that rules are respected. By granting the chairman the authority to intervene in cases of rule-breaking and disruptive behaviour, it is hoped that a more orderly and productive environment can be established for future gatherings of the Limerick Guardians.

Dublin Evening Telegraph – Saturday 03 September 1904