In a robust declaration that resonates through the historical and political landscape of Limerick, the Sinn Féin segment of the local Irish National Volunteers (INV) has issued a comprehensive statement, articulating their steadfast position on the independence and direction of the Volunteer movement. The statement, penned by esteemed leaders James Leddan, President, and R.P. O’Connor, Honorary Secretary, casts a definitive light on the organization’s governance and ideological stance.

Central to the Sinn Féin-led discourse is the assertion that the Volunteer movement was never intended to be swayed or controlled by any single political entity. This principle underscores a foundational belief in the autonomy of the Volunteers, envisioned as a collective whose course is steered by the shared convictions and democratic decisions of its members. The commitment to this autonomy is further emphasized with a clear declaration that the Limerick Regiment’s Board of Management will unwaveringly adhere to the constitution they were elected to uphold, barring any constitutionally sanctioned modifications.

The Sinn Féin statement nostalgically recalls the early optimism surrounding the Volunteer movement, envisioned as a transcendent entity welcoming every Irishman committed to the vision of Ireland as a sovereign nation. This ideal remains intact under the stewardship of the movement’s original founders, ensuring that the Volunteer force remains untethered to the dictates of any political party or individual leader.

This clarification comes at a pivotal moment as the city anticipates the Convention next Sunday, an event that will be preceded by a significant show of unity and strength, with Dublin Companies marching through Limerick. In a notable development within the organization’s ranks, Louis O’Callaghan has been named the 2nd lieutenant of Company A, 1st Battalion, signalling a fresh chapter in the Volunteer movement’s ongoing evolution.

The Sinn Féin party’s statement is a profound affirmation of the Volunteer movement’s core principles, emphasizing a collective dedication to Ireland’s national cause. As Limerick stands on the cusp of this historic convention, the clarity, and conviction of Sinn Féin’s stance herald a moment of introspection and solidarity among those who dream of a free and self-determined Ireland.

Evening Herald (Dublin) – Thursday 22 October 1914