
Limerick, Ireland – The Limerick Journalists’ Association held a fully attended meeting at their club rooms last night, where various important matters were discussed, and decisions were made regarding the welfare and rights of local journalists.
One of the key topics of discussion was the request from the Government Board to assign members of the local press to take notes during special inquiries in the city and district, instead of importing journalists from Dublin. However, the Local Government Board responded that the appointment of reporters for such inquiries rested with the inspectors conducting them. Undeterred, the Limerick Journalists’ Association decided to forward the request directly to the inspectors and expressed hope for the support of various councils and boards of guardians in the district.
Another point of contention arose when a local body offered to remunerate reporters for covering their meetings. The Association respectfully declined the offer, arguing that when the business discussed at these meetings warranted publication, press members would attend upon receiving the agenda. In other cases, if the secretaries provided summaries or précis of the papers presented, the Association would gladly offer publicity to them.
The meeting attendees discussed the issue of confusion in court proceedings caused by the ambiguous naming of complainants and defendants. In response to a letter sent to presiding magistrates and the Petty Sessions Clerk, Mr De Courcy promptly assured the Association that arrangements would be made to rectify the matter in the future. The Association expressed gratitude for his quick action and reported that significant improvements had already been achieved.
Regarding a dispute concerning the admission of press members to the Theatre Royal, no friendly resolution had been reached yet. The current practice of requiring press members to sign a public book in the vestibule was considered undignified and had led to unauthorized access. The Association suggested alternative solutions, such as placing the book in a restricted area accessible only to authorized press members, sending passes to newspaper offices, or accepting reporters’ cards as admission tickets. This issue resulted in the Association being unable to notice performances by visiting companies at the Theatre Royal, a situation that was regrettable for all parties involved.
As part of their ongoing efforts to improve and enhance the Association’s operations, arrangements were made to register the Club under the new Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act. Additionally, negotiations were completed to secure new rooms for the Association, which will now be rented from the Limerick and Clare Farmers’ Club, as the current premises were found to be unsuitable.
In recognition of the Association’s founding during the High Sheriff’s first year in office, the members graciously accepted an invitation from the High Sheriff to dinner at Cruise’s Royal Hotel tonight.
The Limerick Journalists’ Association continues to advocate for the rights and welfare of local journalists, aiming to foster a thriving and dignified journalistic community within the city and its surrounding areas.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 20 December 1904