In a heated meeting of the Limerick County Council presided by Mr P Vaughan, Chairman, a significant resolution was put forward and unanimously passed, expressing the council’s vehement opposition to the English Government’s proposed redistribution plan. The resolution, proposed by Mr Coleman and seconded by Lord Emly, declared the council’s strong protest against what they deemed an “iniquitous resolution” that could undermine Ireland’s representation in the English Parliament.
At the heart of the resolution was the British Government’s attempt to diminish Ireland’s chances of having its claims heard in the alien Parliament. The council members, who saw themselves as representatives of the County’s prevailing sentiment, condemned this move as an “infamous attempt” to suppress the legitimate rights of the Irish people.
Mr Coleman, though regretting the necessity of such a resolution, expressed the council’s duty to resist the British Government’s actions. He argued that reducing the number of Irish representatives in Parliament could have serious consequences, further fueling the desire to eventually sever ties with England altogether. According to him, they were guiding the Irish people in the direction of independence, and he hoped that the opportunity for such a change would arise one day.
The Chairman, in support of the resolution, pointed out that Ireland had suffered numerous injustices since the Act of Union, with the British Government responsible for depopulating the country. Now, the same government sought to deprive Ireland of its limited representation in the English Parliament, which was seen as an attack on their pursuit of justice and autonomy.
The resolution was seen as a reflection of the broader sentiment among Irish citizens, and the Chairman believed that it would resonate with the vast majority of the Irish population. He emphasized that the resolution was timely and expressed his desire to send copies of it to key figures, including the leader of the Irish Party, Mr Redmond, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Secretary.
Mr O’Dwyer added his perspective to the discussion, comparing the situation to “taxation without representation,” evoking historical parallels to the American Revolution.
In the end, the Limerick County Council stood united, passing the resolution unanimously. Their protest against the British Government’s redistribution plan signaled their determination to protect Ireland’s representation and assert their rights on the political stage. The resolution would likely reverberate across the country as Ireland continued its journey towards self-determination.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 18 July 1905
