A SYNOPSIS OF THE INQUIRY TAKEN FROM LIMERICK ARCHIVES COUNCIL MINUTE BOOKS 1899-1973 AND LIMERICK LEADER NEWSPAPER SEPT 1st, 1948 http://www.irishnewspaperarchives.com
County Council Meeting on Sat July 24th, 1948.
Alleged Political Victimisation of Road Workers.
The Council proceeded to consider the following Notice of Motion:-
‘Take notice that at the next meeting of Limerick County Council, I, or some member on my behalf will ask for a full and proper inquiry to which members of the Council and public will be admitted, into cases of political victimisation in connection with road work under the Limerick County Council.’
Dated this 2nd, day of July, 1948.
Signed : Michael J.K. Dore.
Statements in writing and made and signed by Thomas Quinn, Glensharrold, Ardagh and John O’Sullivan, Carrickerry (the latter witnessed) had been forwarded with the notice and were handed to the Chairman by the Secretary. These statements made charges of political victimisation by Michael White, Ganger, Glenagore, Athea. Mr. Dore duly moved the adoption of the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Madden T.D.
After some discussion, the County Manager stated that he would have no authority to swear people, and that if the Council considered the matter serious enough they should refer it to the Minister and ask him to send down an Inspector to hold a Sworn Inquiry.
The Council then decided to hear a number of the workmen who were present in the Council Chamber and the following made statements
Daniel Hartigan, Carrickerry.
John O’Sullivan, Carrickerry.
Patrick O’Connor, Rooskagh.
John Downes, Carter.
Patrick Mahony, Templeathea.
Joseph O’Sullivan, Carrickerry.
John Quinn, Templeathea.
Edmond Enright, Templeathea.
Patrick Hayes, Carter, Athea.
After hearing the various statements made by the men, the Council on the proposition of Mr. Dore, seconded by Deputy Madden passed the following resolution:-
‘That the Minister for Local Government be requested to hold a Sworn Inquiry to which members of the Council and the public will be admitted, into cases of political victimisation in connection with road work under the Limerick County Council and into all other irregularities complained of in the spending of public monies and the employment of the Council’s servants, and that the Inquiry be held at Newcastle West.’
The County Engineer was requested to do his best for the men in the meantime.
A proposition by Mr. Hickey, seconded by Mr. Hayes to suspend all work in the area until the inquiry was not put to the meeting.
County Council Meeting of July 31st, 1948.
Notification to all members of the County Council to attend a meeting on Sat August 28th, 1948, 21 Motions to be addressed.
Motion No 2. Letter from the Dept of Local Government notifying Sworn Inquiry to be held at Newcastle West on Sept 1st, 1948 at 11 am, as requested in the Council resolution of the 24th, ulto.
Limerick Leader Sept 1st, 1948. Page 3. www.irishnewspaperarchives.com
Sworn Inquiry Held.
Allegations By Workers.
Proceedings at Newcastle West.
Allegations that labourers employed by Limerick County Council on bogs in 1947 were instructed by certain Gangers to do private work for others were made by witnesses at a Public Sworn Inquiry held at Newcastle West today by Mr. Seamus McLysaght B.L., Local Government Dept Inspector.
The Inquiry was held at the request of Limerick County Council to which body it had been complained that political influence was being used in the selection of workers employed under the jurisdiction of the County Council.
Unrestricted Freedom.
The first witness was John F. Ambrose, acting County Surveyor. He stated that gangers had unrestricted freedom in the employment of labourers for work under the Co Council. He had never heard of a complaint before the present Inquiry as regards the manner in which gangers engaged labourers.
Asked if it was possible that a man with land, perhaps a shop, could get employment as a ganger while landless men were left unemployed, the witness replied that this was possible but not probable.
Married Man with Six Children.
*Thomas Vaughan, Ballagh, a married man with six children, stated that at various times he had been employed by the Council on turf work in 1947. On one occasion there was work to be done outside his own door, but he was left unemployed while men were brought from three miles away to do the work. At one time he worked under a ganger named Lynch, who refused to give him work, but gave it to a man named Patrick O’Sullivan, who lived four miles away. They give the man’s name as *Thomas Naughton in the Limerick Leader of Sept 6th. 1948, page 4.
Turf Brought To Ganger’s Place.
Continuing, the witness said that he saw a group of County Council workers draw out turf and fill a lorry. They brought this turf home to Ganger Lynch’s place. The witnesses gave the name of three of the men he saw engaged in this alleged transaction. He was quite sure, he stated, that the turf being handled in the manner described belonged to the County Council.
On Instruction of Ganger.
John J. Kelly, Rooskagh, stated that he worked under a ganger named Hartnett cutting turf for the County Council. During this employment he cut turf on the instructions of the ganger for a man named Thomas Meehan.
Further evidence having been held, the Inquiry adjourned until tomorrow morning.
Limerick Leader Sat September 6th, 1948 page 4.
Legal Appearances.
Mr. M.V. Fitzgerald B.L. represented the Co. Council.
All the workers concerned were represented by Mr. Noel Hartnett, instructed by Mr. Joseph O’Mahony, solicitor, Listowel.
Mr. R.J. Cussen, solicitor, appeared for Michael White of the Carrickerry district, one of the gangers implicated.
Grave Charges.
Opening the Inquiry Mr. Fitzgerald B.L. explained the Co Council’s position in the proceedings. The Inquiry was called for by the unanimous resolution of the Co. Council on the proposition of Mr. M.J. K. Dore, sclr, seconded by Mr. D.J. Madden, T.D. This investigation had to do with very grave and serious charges od political victimisation in the employment of road workers……………
Assistant Surveyor’s Evidence.
John F. Ambrose, B.E., Assistant County Surveyor, said that during his 25 years service with Limerick County Council, gangers themselves, sometimes in consultation with an Assistant Surveyor, selected the men who were to work on road maintenance schemes. He had never before heard a complaint against the system. In the new scheme…………..
Questioned as to what the circumstances of a ganger named Woulfe were, the witness said that when Woulfe was first employed, he was a labourer, but later he was bequeathed a shop, which was now thriving.
A supervisory ganger named Kelly was also an insurance agent whose wife had a shop. Gangers had an unfettered right to select workers for schemes of road maintenance. Gangers had wide powers he agreed, in the employment of road workers. He had no knowledge that from that point of view, a certain amount of political influence was necessary for a labourer to get work from a ganger…………..
An Honest Hardworking Man.
Replying to Mr. Cussen Solicitor for Mr White, witness said he would dismiss a ganger whom he found exercising political discrimination. Ganger Michael White had been with the Co. Council for 29 years and he had always found him an honest, hard-working man under whom men worked happily up to this year. During the Black and Tan period, Council workers were paid in cash and at that time White often had the custody of £400.
Replying to the Inspector, witness said that when he got a recommendation from a Deputy to put a man to work, he would convey the recommendation to the ganger in the area concerned and ask him if he had work for the man mentioned by the Deputy. After that he would do no more about the Deputy’s recommendation.
*Thomas Naughton went on to say…. While footing his own turf in the bog on August 14th, of this year, he saw a group of County Council workers drawing out turf and filling a lorry which afterwards went to the ganger’s home. Among these men were Lynch, the ganger: Thomas Twomey, Patrick O’Sullivan and Jeremiah Doody. To his knowledge, the turf bank on which he saw the men working had been let to ganger Lynch.
Cutting of Turf.
John J. Kelly, Rooskagh, a labourer and carter employed by the Co. Council last year, said he at one time worked under ganger John Hartnett, cutting turf for the Council. During that time, he cut turf for Thomas Meehan of Knockaderry, on the instructions of ganger Hartnett. Thomas Geoghegan and Michael Greaney were working for Meehan with him, and they were paid by the Co. Council and not by Meehan. The tools used in working for Meehan were Co. Council property.
Witness said he also worked for a ganger named McCoy. During his employment under McCoy, he worked for a man named Thomas Lynch on the instructions of ganger McCoy. Again, he was paid by the Co. Council for the time spent by him on Lynch’s turf with John Sheehan and Dan Donoghue, two other employees of the Council under McCoy. Entirely, he spent three of four hours working for Lynch during Council time.
Replying to Mr. Fitzgerald, witness said he couldn’t recall the dates in 1947 on which he worked for the two individuals mentioned. Mr. Fitzgerald – I think this witness is sub-normal.
Mr. Hartnett – I think that is a most insulting remark for Mr. Fitzgerald to make to the witness.
Witness added that he didn’t tell anybody about the irregularities described, because he was afraid he’d get no more work.
Discharged after one Day.
Thomas Geoghegan, Rooskagh, a married man with two children, said he worked during 1947 on a Co. Council bog. He worked under Michael Copse in Ballyloughnane quarry and was discharged after a fortnight, while a number of single men were retained. Witness approached Assistant Co. Surveyor Reidy for a job on the road, got it on Monday morning and was discharged that night, while the ganger’s son and a man named Dan Hartnett– who had six cows and two farms of land- were kept on. In 1947 while working on a bog under ganger Hartnett, witness did work for Thomas Meehan of Knockaderry, on the ganger’s orders, with the last witness and Michael Greaney. He was paid for this work by the Council. He thought he had worked for Meehan during Co. Council time in July.
John R. Kelly said he worked on a Council bog in 1947 under ganger Michael Copse. He was sent out to Copse’s turf-bank one evening and he put out six or seven loads of turf for Copse in company with William Geoghegan and James Copse. Altogether they worked about twenty minutes.
Can Eat the Grass.
John Sullivan, Carrickerry, a married man with two children and a member of the local branch of the Irish Labour Party, swore that in 1947 he worked as a carter for the Council. After his discharge he asked ganger Michael White for work and White refused, sending him to Michael Copse, who knocked off his own son and took on witness. Later, when witness was again unemployed about a week before the General Election, White refused him work, asking him if he were as good a man as he was when he interrupted the Fianna Fail meeting at Carrickerry. Witness referring to his wife and family, again asked White for work, who replied : ‘’You can eat the grass.’’
Replying to Mr. Cussen, witness denied that he had been reprimanded for causing disturbances in Co. Council schemes last year, or for having endeavoured to waste time in working.
At this stage a brief disturbance at the back of the Courthouse was commented on by the Inspector who threatened to clear the building if there was a repetition.
Re-examined by Mr. Hartnett, witness said he was receiving money from no source other than his own labour. He could honestly say that members of the Labour Party branches in his area had grievances as regards the amount of work given to them by gangers. The single man given work, while married men were left idle, were members of the Fianna Fail Party. He knew this because he had heard them shouting for Fianna Fail before the General Election.
Dismissed That Night.
Joseph O’Sullivan, brother of the last witness and a married man with four children said he applied in November last to ganger Copse for work and was told he would be given work when the stone-breaker came to the area. The breaker came but witness was told he’d have to wait for the roller to come. This even occurred later, but still witness was put off with the excuse that no more men were being taken on. In fact, the ganger’s son was taken on as a carter. Witness then applied to ganger White for work, was taken on a Monday morning and was dismissed that night. Afterwards, over a number of weeks, he got four days work on the bogs up to December. In January he got about two days work. Since then he had been unemployed. In March, ganger Copse said to him that he had done ‘’long harm’’ to himself by reporting to Assistant Surveyor Reidy and, consequently, disemploying his (ganger’s) son……..
The ganger further said to witness that most of the men in Ballyloughane would be at work were it not for the annoyance caused by the Labour Party in the district. Witness had replied to this statement, that he’d remember that remark and would use it against the ganger Copse, at a later stage.
Replying to Mr. Cussen, witness said he didn’t think his father had any land.
Mr. Cussen-We can take that Inspector, as meaning that his father has got land. When County Limerick witnesses say they have no land, they mean they haven’t got any land, but when they say they don’t think they’ve got land, you can take it they’ve got it.
Edmond Enright, married with five children, living in a labourer’s cottage gave evidence of his work with the Council. During the past two years he had applied for work to Ganger’s, Daniel Hayes, Thomas Woulfe and John Nolan, and had received a total number of nine days employment on road maintenance and 29 on relief schemes……….
Offered His Services at Election.
Cross-examined by Mr. Fitzgerald, witnesses agreed that that he had offered his services to Mr. J. Collins T.D. at the last election and that he approached Deputy Collins to intercede for him in the division of lands. He denied that he had canvassed for Fianna Fail at the last local elections.
Patrick O’Connor, Rooskagh West, married with seven children was also refused work at different stages……….On two occasions he approached Mr. D.J. Madden, T.D. and was as a result of representations made, given a few weeks work. At this stage a group of people seated at the side of the Courtroom near the Inspector’s bench began to laugh, those among the group included Mr. J. Collins T.D and Mr. Donncadha O’Briain T.D. Continuing the witness said that on one occasion when he approached ganger Michael White for work and was refused, he mentioned to White that times were bad. White replied, ‘’Times are bad now but when they were good you didn’t respect them.’……..’ As far as he could see only ganger’s and ganger’s sons could get work…….Witness answering Mr. Cussen said, ‘he had met a ganger’s wife in the street after the General Election and she had attacked him for having put in the present Government.’ Re-examined, witness said that ganger Copse’s name had been published as being a member of the Carrickerry branch of Fianna Fail.
Work at Turf.
Michael Barrett, Rooskagh, also a married man who worked on Co. Council bogs during the emergency said that after being discharged from bog schemes he applied for quarry work to Mr. Reidy, who said there would be plenty of work later on. He applied in December to Ganger White, who gave him a week’s work in a quarry. Single men were employed in the quarry after his discharge. In 1947, while employed by ganger Michael Copse on a Co. Council bog he and two other Co. Council employees spent a half day working on Copse’s own turf. They were paid for that work by the Co. Council. When they stopped work on Copse’s turf, Copse said, ‘’come on boys, it is dangerous to be here’’ and the men returned to work for the Council. Continuing, witness said that shortly before being discharged from Turnhill quarry in July last, Ganger Patrick McCoy said to him that he was foolish to have anything to do with the Labour party or with Mr. Dore, who he said, didn’t care whether witness got work or not as long as he served his own ticket.
Was Refused Work on the Roads.
Tim Enright, married with four children, and treasurer of the Athea branch of the Irish Labour Party, said he had worked on the Co. Council bogs early on in the emergency. Last year he approached Daniel Hayes for work on the roads and he was refused, although he took on two single men on the following morning. He also approached ganger White who gave him five and a half day’s work, which was the full extent of his work in the Co. Council schemes in the winter of 1947. Since the deputation to the Co. Council he had got eight weeks work but had not been employed at all in 1948 prior to the deputation.
John Quinn, a married man with four children, said he had been working on and off with the Council for 15 years. In 1947 he worked casually on Co. council bogs. Since his disemployment from the bogs he had applied for work but got none. In Keale bog at one stage in April 1945 he saw ‘’a man namd Hayes, a Co. Council workman, and another man named Cotter, the driver, filling turf into a private lorry for the ganger.’’ Witness added that the ganger, Thomas Woulfe was present with a group of Co. Council workers at the time
Patrick Mahony, Templeathea, said he had a wife and twelve children. For the past twenty years he had worked with the Co. Council. This year he had worked under Daniel Hayes in a quarry at the end of June for about eight weeks. At the end of that time he approached Mr. Ambrose, who told him there was no further work because the funds had been spent……..He also approached ganger Nolan for work twice and was refused on both occasions. Between the time of each application Fianna Fail followers were taken on. Some of these he said were band players whom he had seen going recently to Ennis to welcome Mr. De Valera home.
Mr. Hartnett – I suppose it wouldn’t be relevant to ask what tune they were playing.
Mr. P. Langan Co C. who was at this stage leaning against the side of the Inspector’s bench, remarked: ‘’Ballyjamesduff’’.
A Little Levity.
The Inspector remarked that he thought Mr. Langan and a man standing beside him were indulging in a little levity, and ordered them outside. They might, he said, re-enter the building by the other door and remain at the back of the Courtroom.
At this stage the inquiry adjourned until Thursday morning.
Inquiry Resumed.
When the inquiry resumed on Thursday morning Patrick Hayes, a married man with grown up children said he worked for the Council for seven years in the bogs He worked for three of these years under Ganger Wolfe. In 1941, he and a number of other men employed by the Council cut and saved Co Council turf, of which Ganger Wolfe later took possession. Witness said he also did work on Ganger Wolfe’s private turf bank. Witness also assisted Wolfe’s son and a man named Patrick Mahony in filling for Wolfe four pony-and-cart loads of the Council turf. This turf was good black turf, specially selected by Wolfe, and was taken to Wolfe’s home. Witness on another occasion, while working for the Co.Council, assisted in loading Wolfe’s private turf into a lorry. In this work he was assisted by another man employed by the Council, named Tim Quinn.
Continuing, witness said that in August 1942, he saw a number of Co. Council workers saving Ml. Wolfe’s hay at Knocknagorna, but he couldn’t say who paid these men for that work.
At this stage, Mr. Cussen said he now represented Ganger Wolfe as well as Ganger White. Cross examined by Mr. Cussen witness said he made allegations of political victimisation against Ganger Wolf but not against White. He stopped working in the bog in 1945 because certain charges were made against him, which he settled out of court by way of a money payment by him. It was Ganger Wolfe who caused him all that trouble.
Football And Pitch and Toss.
Daniel Hartigan, Carrickerry a member of the local branch of the Irish Labour Party, swore that he worked on the Co. Council turf schemes during the emergency. In January of this year, while unemployed, he approached Ganger White and Mr. Reidy for work, but got none. He was a member of the deputation which was received by the Limerick Co. Council this year and during the discussion Mr. Ambrose, the then acting Co. Surveyor, asked him if it were true that while working for the Council he used to take a football to the bog. Witness had replied that he had taken the ball to the bog to play during the luncheon interval while the Gangers were engaged in ‘Pitch and Toss.’
Witness said that some years ago, while a number of local labourers were unemployed, Ben Brosnihan and Patrick Roche, two Newcastle West publicans, were given work by the Council from last October to May of this year, and his wife and child and he had lived under wretched conditions, on 15/- a week dole. (15 shillings). His family had often been short of bread and butter, while other men of reasonable means were working on Council schemes. On one occasion he had to dig a potato patch already dug, to get something for his family to eat.
Replying to Mr. Fitzgerald, witness agreed that he had only worked 17 days in 1947 on Co. Council bogs. In that year he had worked for a farmer in order that his family’s bread ration might be conserved for his wife and child. He wouldn’t go so far as to say that political discrimination was used against him.
Chairman of Labour Branch.
Thomas Quinn, Carrickerry, a married man with six children, said he served in the Army from 1940 to 1946 and worked in the bog from June last year to October. On November 24th, last, he got a job as relief postman. While holding that post, he got an offer of a job on a relief scheme by Ganger White in Glensharrold. After finishing his job in the post office he was idle until the end of January, when he got a fortnight’s work. He was again idle until at the end of March, an Army Lieutenant got a job for him in a quarry. He got another in later in a quarry in Knockfinnisk from which he was discharged on June 30th. At that time single men with means were kept on, and on July 1st, a single man named John O’Connell was taken on……………Soon afterwards the Secretary of the Carrickerry Labour Party, of which witness was chairman, wrote to the Co. Council complaining about the disemployment of deserving persons. Later Ganger White asked witness if he had signed this letter and, in order that he might be retained in the employment he then had, witness said he had not signed the letter.
Ganger Examined.
Called by Mr. Cussen, Michael White C.C. ganger for a number of years past, said he lived in a Board of Health cottage. This was the first time he found complaints of this kind made against him. Up to the time of the present complaints, the men who made them were his friends and had worked happily under him. John J. Sullivan, for instance, had worked under him for nine or ten years. Sullivan had worked satisfactorily up to 1946 and then he became disinclined to do his quota of work as a carter. Witness never mentioned politics and never mentioned the Fianna Fail meeting at Carrickerry to Sullivan. He never told Sullivan-or any other workman-that his family could eat grass. Witness said he had no politics whatever. Daniel Hartigan never applied to witness for work on Co. Council schemes. Witness never used political discrimination against workmen and when selecting workmen, he always had regard for their personal circumstances. He believed the whole source of the present complaints against him was the fact that he hadn’t work to give to everybody……………
Bog Strike of 1942.
Cross-examined by Mr. Hartnett, witness said there was a bog strike in Wesy Limerick in 1942 and he thought it probable that the Local Labour Club was involved in it. He agreed that he, as supervising ganger, would consult with his gangers about the selecting of men for a particular job. He said that ganger Copes’s son was given so much work with the Council because alternative labour was not available. He had never gone to his gangers and asked them to restrict the employment of their relatives or of farmers as long as married needy men were idle. Neither did he investigate whether or not his gangers practised political discrimination…………….
The inquiry then adjourned to this Friday morning.
Co. Council Meeting Thursday April 28th, 1949.
A Co. Council Meeting was held on Thursday April 28th, 1949, to consider the Minister’s findings on the Sworn Inquiry held at Newcastle West on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of September 1948.
The Legal Appearances at Newcastle West, were outlined as follows –
Limerick County Council – Mr Maurice V. Fitzgerald B.L. (instructed by Mr R.G. O’ Sullivan, Solicitor.
Gangers complained of – Mr. R.J. Cussen LL.d., Solicitor, Newcastle West.
Complainant Workers – Mr. Noel Hartnett, B.L. (Instructed by Mr. Joseph O’Mahony, Solicitor.
The Minister is satisfied that generally the charges of favouritism were all sustained at the Inquiry. Further, the Minister is satisfied that irregularities were proved in the case of certain gangers.
Before referring to the steps which the Minister considers should be taken as a result of the Inquiry. I am to place before the Council the Minister’s findings relating to the matters investigated at the Inquiry and the persons involved.
Mr. J.F. Ambrose.
The evidence given at the inquiry established that Mr. Ambrose regarded very lightly the responsibilities of his office as Acting County Surveyor in so far as they related to the proper selection of men. His lack of responsibilities was well illustrated in the extracts from his evidence at the Inquiry. He was examined by Mr. Fitzgerald. For extract of the full evidence See https://www.limerick.ie/discover/explore/historical-resources/limerick-archives/limerick-county-council-minute-books
Mr. J. Reidy.
The evidence of Mr. Reidy shows that he too was lacking in responsibility as Assistant County Engineer in the matter of seeing that employment of men proceeded on a fair and proper basis. He was cross-examined by Mr. Hartnett.
Mr. M. White.
The Minister is satisfied that the evidence establishes that Mr. White, Supervising Ganger, did not exercise that control in regard to the employment of men which his position called for as Supervising Ganger he had control over four gangers and in the case of two of these gangers (Messrs, Copse and McCoy) charges of favouritism and irregularities were established and the Minister considers that these malpractices could not have arisen had Supervising Ganger White fulfilled properly his supervisory duties over the gangers concerned. The following extract from his evidence at the Inquiry in reply to questions by Mr. Hartnett establishes his disregard for the necessity of exercising proper supervision over gangers under his control in the selection of men for employment.
In Mr. White’s statement he said he was ‘’a Labouring Man residing in a Labourer’s cottage with a wife and child.’’
‘’I am working for the County Council for the past 29 years and have been from 1919 to 1926 a Road Foreman and from 1926 to 1933 a Ganger and from 1933 to date a Supervising Ganger.’’
He then outlined his duties as Supervising Ganger…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………’continuing his statement he said, ’Of the Ganger’s mentioned in the Ministers letter there were only four of them under my charge namely, Ganger’s Copse, Greaney, Hartnett and McCoy. Ganger’s Greaney, Hartnett and McCoy were not charged with favouritism in selecting men for employment, and of the charges made against them, no complaint was made to me at any time by the men concerned so that I did not get an opportunity of investigating these charges. Of the other charges made against Ganger Copse, I know nothing, as no word of these complaints ever reached my ears, and so I hadn’t a chance of investigating.’’
It was proposed by Mr. McAuliffe, that Mr. White’s statement be forwarded to the Minister and that Mr. White be informed that the Council accepted the explanation given in this case.
Mr. Hayes proposed and Mr. Mackey seconded that representatives of the workers should be heard. Thomas Hartigan, Carrickerry and Patrick Murphy, Rooskagh, then came forward on behalf of the workers.
Mr. Hartigan stated that the statement submitted by Mr. White was a complete fabrication, he (Hartigan) had worked in the bogs every year during the emergency. He was a married man with dependant children, and had been left idle even since the Inquiry while single men were working in the district.
Mr. Murphy stated that he was a married man with eight children. He worked on relief schemes sometime after the Inquiry, but he was knocked off two weeks before others in the gang, some of whom were farmers. He was put to work again when Deputy Madden made representations on his behalf. Mr. Murphy was questioned on his alleged refusal to guide a horse at the work referred to above.
Mr. Fitzsimons proposed and Mr. Langan seconded that Mr. White’s explanation be not accepted. It was pointed out by the chairman that this proposal was not in order, as the Minister requires an explanation from Mr. White before arriving at a final decision in this case. Proposed by Mr. McAuliffe and seconded by Mr. Quaid that the statement submitted on behalf of Mr. White be forwarded to the Minister.
The following amendment to Mr. McAuliffe’s motion was then proposed by Mr. Dore and seconded by Mr. O’Connell :-
‘’That Ganger White’s explanation be forwarded to the Minister without comment.’’
On a poll there voted for Mr. Dore’s amendment :- Messrs – Cleary, Clancy, Donegan, Dore, Fitzsimons, Hayes, Hickey, Langan, Mackey, O’Connell, O’Connor and Quish. (13)
Against :- Messrs – Barrett, Canty, Clohessy, Hennessy, Lillis, Maguire, McAuliffe McCarthy, O’Donnell, O’Grady, Quaid and Senator O’Dwyer. (12)
The amendment, that Ganger White’s explanation be forwarded to the Minister without comment was declared carried and agreed to a substantive proposition..See https://www.limerick.ie/discover/explore/historical-resources/limerick-archives/limerick-county-council-minute-books
Supervising Ganger Kelly.
The Minister understands that Supervising Ganger Kelly is also a National Health Insurance Agent and he would be glad to learn whether the Council consider that the duties of National Health Insurance Agent and full-time ganger can be reconciled.
On the proposition of Mr. McAuliffe, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Council decided to hear Mr. Cussen, Solicitor, who was also appearing on behalf of Mr. Kelly. Mr. Cussen then read a copy a letter, the original of which had been forwarded to the Co. Secretary.
A synopsis of the letter in relation to Kelly as follows – Our clients National Health Agency is only a part-time Agency, covering the small Dispensary District of Abbeyfeale.The emoluments from the Agency would not maintain a man, and in order to support his wife and family, our client had to seek employment on the roads…………………………………………………………………………………….,
Ganger Michael Copse.
Charges of irregularities and of favouritism in the selection of men were made by several witnesses against Ganger Michael Copse. The main charges against him were made by Michael Barrett, William Geoghegan, J.R. Kelly, Patrick O’Connor, Thomas Geoghegan and Joseph O’Sullivan.
Gangers Greaney and Hartnett.
The Minister finds that Ganger’s Hartnett and Greaney were guilty of misconduct in authorising men under their control to work in a bog other than a County Council bog………………………………………………………………………
Ganger Hayes.
From the evidence provided it was clear that Ganger Hayes permitted his brother Patrick to take up work in the quarry without any authorisation……………………………………………………………………………………
Ganger Patrick McCoy.
The Minister finds that Ganger Patrick McCoy was guilty of misconduct in as much as he did not report the matter to White and he made a false return in his time book…………………………………………………………………………………………
Ganger Thomas Woulfe.
In view of the evidence given in respect of this charge the Minister is satisfied that Ganger Woulfe was guilty of a grave irregularity in having a Council employee under his control carry out work during the Council’s time on his (Ganger Woulfe’s) own property. Other evidence against Ganger Woulfe was not sustained…………………………………………………………………………………………….
In determining the steps to be taken in regard to the officers and employees mentioned, the Minister is faced with the need for taking such action as will ensure, that the deplorable practices proved to have existed in Limerick, will not in future, be allowed to prevail in that or any other county.
The Minister has therefore, no hesitation in advising the local authority to terminate the employment of Ganger’s, Copse, Greaney, Hartnett, Hayes and Woulfe, whose cases are dealt with individually above. The Minister is fully aware of the seriousness of this decision but is satisfied that no other conclusion could be reached having regard to the disclosures made at the Inquiry and the considerations urged above.
See the full Inquiry, evidence and statements at https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/archives.limerick.ie/Digital+Archive/Government+Collections/LK.Min+Limerick+County+Council+Minutebooks/LK-MIN-21Watermarked.pdf
At a Co. Councill Meeting of June 11th, 1949.
FINAL FINDINGS OF MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON SWORN INQUIRY AT NEWCASTLE WEST.
- Mr Ambrose’s explanation is accepted.
- It is considered that Mr. Reidy might reasonably be expected to have taken more energetic steps in relation to complaints which came to his notice but in view of his explanation the matter will not be pressed further.
- Your proposals as to Ganger White are accepted.
- Your remarks as to Ganger Kelly are noted.
- No objection is raised to the course proposed in the last paragraph of your letter in regard to the re-employment of certain persons.
The Minister must again emphasis the need for strict supervision as set out in detail in the Department’s circular letter SGA/202/1 of the 21st, ultimo.
Mise. Le meas,
Sgd. J. Garvin.
P.J. Meghan, Esq,
County Manager,
82 & 83 O’Connell St.,
Limerick.
A discussion followed during which some members objected to the terms of the Co. Manager’s letter of 24th, May to the Minister, and stated that the Council’s decisions should have been conveyed to the Department without qualification.
The Co. Manager explained that he did not attempt to influence the Department in any way by his letter………………………………………………………………
Mr. Dore stated that he was not satisfied that victimisation of workers had been completely rooted out in West Limerick, and that he had representatives of the workers in the Chamber who were prepared to prove that they were being intimidated by Ganger Michael White.
On the suggestion of Deputy Madden, the men referred to by Mr. Dore were asked to come forward. Michael J. Quinn, Templeathea, Edmond Enright, Templeathea and John O’Sullivan then came forwarded.
Mr. Quinn stated that he was being intimidated by Ganger Michael White, on being questioned by the Chairman, he did not give any specific instance when Ganger White had said or done anything to him, beyond stating that he was ‘’provoked.’’
Edmond Enright said that he was not employed on the week ending 24th, September 1948, whilst Ganger White had two men cutting weeds on the roadside outside his house.
Mr. O’Sullivan stated that he was refused work by Ganger White before the Sworn Inquiry and that he got very little work since.
Mr. Dore asked if there was a blacklist in regard to employment on road work in the County and referred specifically to the non-employment of Patrick Leahy, Killaculleen, Tournafulla.
After further discussion the decisions of the Minister as set out in his letter were adopted.
Limerick Leader Sept 11th, 1948.
Proceedings that were full of Incident (By ‘’Arra’’)
The Courthouse at Newcastle West is withdrawn and sever in its classical lines. Three lovely maple trees shelter it from the vulgar stare of the street. When it was first built over 100 years ago it served a double debt to pay a concert hall by night, a Court by day. In those degenerate days it was the glory of the West ; both town and countryside thronged its approaches and crowded its walls. In later times, bar prevailed over buskin and a judicial calm has now descended on its scarcely frequented walls.
Very few of the spectators knew exactly what the Inquiry was about. Some thought it was to resolve a political dispute; others, thinking the County Council were on trial, hastened to the guillotine like the knitting women of the French Revolution to see august heads falling. A wag gave it as it is his opinion that a Worker’s Republic was to be declared and said that Dean Swift himself should be there to compose something to suit the occasion. In his absence, the best he could do was:
‘’Here’s a cure for workers ills,
For gangers fierce and fiery,
When jobs are far away as hills,
Lets hold a Sworn Inquiry.’’
Limerick Leader Dec 18th, 1948.
Recent Sworn Inquiry.
Mr. Langan said that both he and Mr. Fitzsimons had met in Newcastle West recently a large number of unemployed labourers, one of whom had told them that a ganger to whom he had applied for work and said that the recent sworn inquiry in Newcastle West had put everybody out of work.
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