The monthly gathering of Limerick’s No. 2 District Council saw a spirited exchange between members, culminating in a heated debate over a resolution’s status. The meeting, held on Saturday, was presided over by Mr John McInerney, J.P., the Chairman of the Council. Present at the meeting were a host of other council members, including Captain O’Brien, Messrs. James O’G Delmege, James Keane, James O’Regan, Patrick Lane, Michael Curry, Patrick Stritch, J. Madden, M. Hannon, P. Fitzgerald, B. Skehan, J.L. Frost, P. Vaughan, Denis Carroll, M. Kennedy, George Heffernan, Peter Mulqueen, John Woulfe, Michael Keane, Thos. Hartigan, and Michael O’Gready.
The exchange began when Mr Keane, addressing the Chairman, questioned his decision to contradict a newspaper report that claimed a resolution had been passed to commend Mr O’Regan for his role in reducing Clare’s election expenses by a substantial amount. The Chairman responded by explaining that he welcomed the question and was prepared to provide clarification. He recounted that prior to the board meeting, a few council members had approached him with the intention of proposing a vote of thanks to Mr O’Regan. The Chairman revealed that he had told them that while he appreciated any positive actions on behalf of the ratepayers, he believed such resolutions should be passed only after the reported actions were verified.
During the back-and-forth, Mr O’Regan’s involvement in getting the Clare election expenses reduced came under scrutiny. The Chairman emphasized his belief in holding off on resolutions until they had concrete evidence of actions taken. While council members like Mr Keane and Mr Madden maintained that the resolution had been passed unanimously, the Chairman countered that no such resolution had been formally passed by the Council.
Captain O’Brien queried the Chairman about his decision to initial the resolution, to which the Chairman responded that it was to indicate that the resolution had been brought before the board. The dispute intensified, with council members expressing varying recollections of the events surrounding the resolution. Mr Keane, in particular, objected to being contradicted without what he perceived as just cause.
As tensions escalated, the Chairman accused Mr Keane of writing a lengthy letter to the press on the matter, which he had chosen not to respond to until asked. He also alleged that the Clare Champion had declined to publish his response. This claim led to further disagreements over the accuracy of accounts and the motivations behind actions taken.
Mr Skehan attempted to steer the conversation back towards the original issue, highlighting Mr O’Regan’s role in reducing the Clare election expenses. However, the meeting ultimately devolved into acrimonious exchanges and finger-pointing among council members. The Chairman, at one point, threatened to adjourn the meeting, which was met with resistance from some members.
Mr O’Regan closed the discussion, stating that he had fulfilled his duties to both the ratepayers and his constituents. He affirmed that he had discharged his responsibilities without seeking personal acknowledgment. The meeting concluded in a tense atmosphere, revealing the divisions within the Council over the interpretation and legitimacy of the resolution in question.
While the specifics of the resolution’s fate remain in dispute, this intense exchange underscores the complexities and dynamics within local governance bodies, where differing perspectives and interpretations can lead to impassioned debates. As the Limerick No. 2 District Council continues to address the needs of its constituents, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact future interactions and decisions.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 12 December 1905
