Tag Archives: Kilmallock Poor Law Union

The Arrest of Father Matt Ryan

 The Arrest of Father Matt Ryan


Mr. Edmond Mitchel said that he had a resolution to propose in reference to a military display recently in Hospital for the purpose of dragging away from them their beloved Pastor, or to baton, bludgeon or stab him.

Mr. McGrath : They did not take him away from you.

Mr. Mitchel : No, thank God, we were able to carry him ourselves. The resolution I beg to propose is : “That we the Guardians of the Kilmallock Union, in meeting assembled, tender to the Rev. Father Matt Ryan, the patriotic curate of Hospital, our deepest sympathy in his prison cell, and we at the same time condemn in the strongest possible language the action of the Government in arresting him. We also express our condemnation of the unnecessary display of force on Monday last in Hospital by the police authorities evidently for the purpose of exasperating the people ; we congratulate the latter for the forbearance they exhibited under such provoking circumstances.

Mr. Condon : I think he belonged to Herbertstown more than to Hospital (laughter). Any honours he has gained it was in Herbertstown he gained them.

Mr. Clery: I think Mr. Slattery’s name should be put in that resolution.

Mr. Mitchell : We are in the habit of having such men as Mr. Slattery, but it is a very new thing to have priests taken from us. It is reviving the penal days again.

Mr. Condon: I think , Mr. Chairman, you could amend that a little by putting Herbertstown to the front or Campaign Hill (laughter)

The Chairman: I suppose with Mr. Condon’s suggestion the resolution is passed unanimously. There is very little good in these things, but at the same time we are only doing our duty as a National Board.

Mr. Gubbins: I was saying we should ask the farmers of Kilmallock Union to pay no rent while those Priests are in gaol.

Mr. Mitchell: I think that would be a matter for themselves a great deal. I’d be a great extent in sympathy with that.

Mr. Condon: I believe they are never very fond of paying rent (laughter)

The Chairman: If you like to add it to the resolution I will receive it at any rate, whether it is legal or not.

Mr. M’Grath : Of course it is legal.

Mt. Mitchell: It might do more harm than good under the present circumstances. It might only be made a handle in the House of Commons.

Mr. O’Gorman : It will come to that at any rate. I think there ought to be added to the resolution something about the noble minded man who has thrown up his position rather than do the dirty work of the Government. I am satisfied to give £1 subscription, provided a testimonial is raised to him.

The Chariman: I never saw people more willing to subscribe to a testimonial than they are to one for this policeman.

Mr. Mitchell: What I’d wish to add to the resolution is that on account of the oppression to which the o’Grady tenantry are subjected, a subscription be made throughout Ireland to maintain them during their struggle.

The Chairman: The National League have promised that. I heard Mr. O’Brien is promising.

Mt. Mitchell: It is not right for us to be too hard on Wm. O’Brien and John Dillon.

The resolution as it stood was then adopted.

Taken from “The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate”,
April 2, 1887

Kilmallock Union Board, April 1887 – Kilmallock Union Financial Management, April 1887 – Arrest of Father Matt Ryan – Miscellaneous Munster, Limerick & Clare News, April 1887

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Kilmallock Union: Financial Management, 1887

The Financial Management of the Union


Mr. O’Sullivan said a system had cropped up within the last year or two that he believed they should put a stop to at once. The system to which he alluded was this. Heretofore, under the old board, and as long as he was guardian, no cheques were passed except that the demand for those cheques were sent in the evening before, certified by the master and endorsed by the clerk. Unfortunately, lately, and expecially since the Labourer’s Act came into operation, the system had grown up of having all cheques written the morning of the board. If they did not look to the finance and check it as best they could, their rates would rise in spite of all they could do. He would ask them to go back to the old practice and see that no cheque was issued except that the bill or the demand for the cheque was properly certified.

The Chairman differed from Mr. O’Sullivan that there was any possibility of paying money under the present system before it was properly earned.
Mr. O’Sullivan : I heard complaints that contractors got money
The Chariman : You know Mr. O’Sullivan, that is a serious stagtement to make.
Mr. O’Sullivan : At the same time there is a danger.
The Chariman : I don’t see the danger at all . I can’t possibly see the danger when it must be certified. There is never a penny of money given here that is not certified for.
The Clerk : There is.
Mr. O’Sullivan: The Clerk has told you now here that money was given when there was no certificate before the guardians.
The Clerk : It was not, I gave it.
Mr. ‘Sullivan : I know ; I only brought forward this matter to prevent those mistakes arising.
Mr. McDonald agreed with Mr. O’Sullivan’s proposal.
The Chariman : I believe from a business point of view, the thing should be done, but to say we could loose anything by it, that is where I can’t see it.
Mr. O’Sullivan : You are leaving yourself open to loss.
Mr. Prendergast said those who were speaking about this matter now, often themselves applied for cheques during the meeting of the board.
Mr. O’Sullivan : So far as I am concerned there is not a word of truth in what Mr. Prendergast has stated.
Mr. O’Sullivan then handed in the following resolution : That no cheques be issued in future unless the bill or certificate be sent in the day before the Board and certified by the Master of the house, the Clerk of Works or the Engineer and endorsed by the Clerk.

This was unanimously agreed to
The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate,
April 2, 1887

Kilmallock Union Board, April 1887 – Kilmallock Union Financial Management, April 1887 – Arrest of Father Matt Ryan – Miscellaneous Munster, Limerick & Clare News, April 1887

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Kilmallock Union Board, 1887

You will notice that some surnames are spelled differently in this one section of this article.  I have checked the spellings and left them as they were in the newspaper.


Kilmallock Union, Thursday
(from our Reporter)
The first meeting of the new board was held on Thursday, Mr. E. Cahill presiding. The other guardians present were: Messrs P. D. Clery, W. J. Clery, Wm. Gubbins, Patrick O’Shaughnessy, Jas. Bennett, J.P. ; Neil McDonald, J.P. ; Dr. john Gubbins, , J.P. ; John Dunworth, John Barry, D. Condon, P. Hogan, P. J. Walsh, W. H. O’Sullivan, James Prendergast, John R. O’Gorman, Martin Maher, Edward Mitchel, Thomas Mee, Wm. Meade, Thos. Condon, Michael J. Condon, Denis McGrath, John Carroll, John H. Weldo(?e) J.P. ; Thomas O’Donnell, John Daly, J.P. ; John J. O’Fisherty, john O’Callaghan, P. J. Coll and John McDonald.

After the disposal of the routine business, the board proceeded to the
Election of Chairman
Mr. P.D. Cleary (sic) said he rose to propose for their adoption a gentleman to occupy the position of chairman for the coming year, and one who, he was sure was very well adapted for the position. He was in fact possessed of all the qualities necessary, he believed to constitute a first class chairman. He had been a guardian of the union for nearly twenty years, and had a thorough knowledge of the poor law in all its bearings. On all occasions he had been most kind and considerate with regard to the poor and had taken a great interest in furthering the work of the Labourer’s Act, and in fact his division though not a large one, had about the largest number of cottages of any division of the union. His courtesy on all occasions could not be surpassed by any chairman of any union, whether it was to the elected or the ex-officio guardians, it made no matter, he discharged his duty always impartially. Though last not least he considered that he was thoroughly national, and had always sided and assisted the people in obtaining the assistance they deserved. He felt sure that the gentleman to whom he alluded would discharge his duties in the future with the same impartiality that characterized his conduct in the past. The gentleman to whom he intended to propose was Mr. Edwd. Cahill, Kilteely.
Mr. Prendergast : I have great pleasure in seconding that sir.
Mr. Bennett : I was going to do it. I must say as an ex-officio guardian that I agree with every word Mr. Cleary has said regarding Mr. Cahill – his impartiality in the chair – perfect impartiality and civility.

There being no other candidate proposed

Mr. Cahill returned thanks for his unanimous election. He was not a speech maker, and he was very sorry for it on present occasion, but he could only say that he thanked them sincerely for the honor conferred no him. In fact he would be nearly inclined that Mr. Cleary told lies, but that it would not be Parliamentary. However, it was with great reluctance in one sense that he accepted the position for the coming year. He did not consider in a certain sense that he had the right to occupy the position for a longer period. It was ni fact keeping the honours of the Board too long (no, no). He knew it was scarcely fair, but he had spoken to some friends about it who urged him to hold the position for this year at all events, particularly as he had begun the Labourer’s Acts. He did not claim any credit to himself for the work he had done in connection with these Acts, but he certainly said that he was second to none in inclination. They had pulled through hard times, but he hoped they would be somewhat smoother in the future and that they would continue to do the business as well they could.
Mr. Bennett: You will get every support, mr. Chairman
Mr. Cahill : I hope I will have the assistance of the Guardians both elected and ex-officio, as I had in the past.
Mr. Prendergast: I feel very great pleasure in proposing Mr. O’Donnell for the position of Vice-Chairman of this Board.
Mr. McGrath seconded the proposition and it was agreed to unanimously.
Mr. Walsh proposed Mr. James Prendergast for the position of Deputy Vice Chairman and said that during the time he occupied that position he had given great and general satisfaction.
Mr. Dunworth seconded Mr. Prendergast’s nomination and it was also agreed to unanimously.

Taken fromThe Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate,
April 2, 1887

Kilmallock Union Board, April 1887 – Kilmallock Union Financial Management, April 1887 – Arrest of Father Matt Ryan – Miscellaneous Munster, Limerick & Clare News, April 1887

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