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SECTARIAN DISPUTE IN LIMERICK LEADS TO LEGAL ACTION | Limerick Archives

SECTARIAN DISPUTE IN LIMERICK LEADS TO LEGAL ACTION

In a recent case heard at the Quarter Sessions in Limerick, a dispute over religious sentiments and burial rites resulted in legal action. The case, described by Judge Law Smith as “the most horrible case of sectarian bigotry he had had experience of,” involved Mrs. M. McNamara of Thomond Gate, Limerick, and the Select Vestry Committee of St. Munchin’s Protestant Church.

Mrs. McNamara successfully obtained a decree for £5 against Rev. Canon Robertson, Capt. J O’G. Delmege, D.L., and Mr Joseph Stewart, who comprised the Select Vestry Committee. The decree was for obstruction she faced while visiting a grave, as well as a further decree for £2 10s., which was mistakenly paid for the purchase of a grave.

The dispute arose when the Vestry objected to a tombstone inscription that requested mercy for the souls of the plaintiff’s parents. Their objection was based on the belief that praying for the dead was contrary to Protestant doctrine. Consequently, the tombstone had to be removed, leading Mrs. McNamara to allege obstruction during her visits to the grave and while praying.

During the proceedings, Mrs. McNamara highlighted that Catholics and Protestants were buried in the same graveyard, emphasizing the shared nature of the burial ground.

Judge Law Smith, drawing from his own experiences, particularly from the North, where sectarian tensions have often been pronounced, characterized the case as an exemplar of bigotry. He ruled in favour of the plaintiff, asserting her entitlement to the grave.

The case sheds light on the complexities surrounding religious practices and sensitivities, especially in communities where different faiths coexist. It underscores the importance of respecting diverse beliefs while navigating shared spaces, such as cemeteries, which hold deep significance for individuals and communities alike.

Efforts to reconcile conflicting religious practices and beliefs remain pertinent in fostering harmony and understanding within society, particularly in regions marked by historical sectarian divisions.

The outcome of this legal dispute serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in reconciling religious differences and the need for mutual respect and accommodation within diverse communities.

General Advertiser for Dublin, and all Ireland – Saturday 20 January 1917

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