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Limerick County Council Addresses AOH Concerns Regarding Official Positions | Limerick Archives

Limerick County Council Addresses AOH Concerns Regarding Official Positions

In a recent session of the Limerick County Council chaired by Mr Gubbins J.P., concerns raised by the Rathkeale Branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) took centre stage. The matter at hand involved a misplaced letter from the Rathkeale Branch to the Council, questioning the employment status of Mr Quaid (Accountant) and Mr M. Fitzgerald (Assistant Secretary).

The Chairman initiated the discussion by inquiring about the status of the misplaced letter. Mr Fitzgerald, the Assistant Secretary, informed the council that the letter had not been located. He also conveyed another letter from the Rathkeale Branch, expressing surprise and labelling the misplacement as an act of utter carelessness.

Mr M. Quinlan, J.P., who had initially brought up the issue, expressed frustration, stating that he saw no resolution to the matter since the letter had been either lost or misdirected. Mr P. K. Hogan, J.P., sought clarification on the content of the missing letter. Mr Fitzgerald explained that it sought information about whether Mr Quaid and himself were full-time or part-time officials of the Council.

Mr Hogan proposed that the requested information be provided. The Chairman, expressing his views, acknowledged the Ancient Order of Hibernians as a commendable organization. However, he criticized the AOH for what he perceived as interference in the affairs of a Nationalist Council, emphasizing that the Limerick County Council could manage its own officials.

The Chairman went on to assert that Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Quaid were dedicated whole-time officials who had consistently received praise from Local Government Board Auditors. He acknowledged their contributions and expressed hope that they would continue to serve the Council with the same dedication.

Mr Quinlan interjected, highlighting the auditor’s approval of their accounts but raising concerns about possible assistance received outside the office. He criticized the Council for allowing its officials to take on multiple positions within the county.

In response, Mr Hogan supported the AOH’s request for information. However, the Chairman emphasized that the Council had already confirmed that Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Quaid were whole-time officers, urging the AOH to relay this information to its members.

The session concluded without a clear resolution to the concerns raised by the AOH. The incident sheds light on the intricate dynamics between local organizations and public bodies, with tensions emerging over perceived interference and the multifaceted roles of public officials in the community.

Dublin Daily Express – Monday 23 December 1912

IMAGE: ST MARY’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, RATHKEALE, CO. LIMERICK, 1900S.
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