In a contentious decision, the Limerick Corporation, with a narrow margin of eleven votes to ten, has chosen to continue holding its meetings during the daytime, rejecting the proposal to switch to evening sessions. Councillor Dalton initiated the motion to change the meeting hours from 4 PM to 7:30 PM, seconded by Alderman Rely.

The latter half of the meetings’ timing had been introduced by the Labour Party seven years ago. However, Councillor Dalton expressed concern that only a few members of the party remained, as some had shifted their allegiance to what he referred to as the “flunkey” side. He warned that if the daytime meetings persisted, he and other members might be compelled to resign from the Corporation in loyalty to the pledge they had made on behalf of the Labour Party.

In response to the declaration of the vote’s outcome, Councillor Kerr appealed to Alderman Rely to reconsider his decision to leave the Council. However, the Alderman, having already left his seat and moved towards the exit, stood firm in his resolve. He affirmed that he meant what he had stated, and this marked the last time he would participate in that Council until he returned at some point to remove what he referred to as the “flunkeys” from the assembly, just as he had done before.

Alderman Daly’s exit from the Council Chamber was observed by several members who had voted in favor of retaining daytime meetings. The decision to maintain the status quo reflects the Corporation’s choice to prioritize daytime gatherings, despite the close vote and the contentious nature of the issue at hand.

Irish Independent – Saturday 04 August 1906