
In a letter to the Limerick Echo, the writer known as “Justice” addresses the ongoing issue of employing police pensioners at the Munster-Connaught Exhibition. The letter does not provide new information but reiterates the concerns raised previously in the newspaper. It highlights the perceived injustice of hiring retired police officers with substantial pensions for positions at the exhibition while capable civilians, who lack such financial support, remain unemployed.
Limerick, more than any other place in Ireland, seems to attract a significant number of police pensioners seeking employment. Furthermore, the problem extends beyond former local police officers, as individuals from other regions also flock to Limerick in pursuit of opportunities. The letter acknowledges that criticizing police pensioners in the manner employed by “Justice” is not the solution to the issue.
The letter emphasizes that police pensioners, like anyone else, seek the best opportunities available to them after leaving the force. It is not limited to police pensioners alone, as civilian jobseekers can also contribute to the problem. The writer argues that the key to addressing this social issue is raising public awareness about the injustice of favoring pensioners over capable civilians when it comes to employment opportunities.
The writer suggests that employers in Limerick should recognize the benefit of hiring civilian labour over pensioners. The letter dismisses the notion that promoting civilian employment is an act of disloyalty, arguing that genuine patriotism should prioritize the welfare of the greater community over the interests of a select few. It calls for a reconsideration of government policies that allow retired public servants with substantial pensions to compete with civilian labourers in the job market.
The letter predicts that in the near future, there will be an agitation for reforms to ensure that the government adequately supports pensioners while preventing them from entering direct competition with civilian workers. The writer concludes by highlighting the need for policies that protect the interests of civilian labour and provide equitable opportunities for all.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 26 June 1906