The Scrubbers - The Dungarvan Town Commissioners

POOR IGNORANT BORES
Jan 1882

Letter to the Waterford Citizen

I cannot open your paper without a feeling of dread that the Dungarvan Town Commissioners have had a meeting...They are poor ignorant bores who go to the meetings well primed with Strangman's beer or Dower's porter, and mistake vulgarity for manliness, course vituperation for wit...Is such a state of things to last for ever, and are the weekly meetings of that body to be the usual weekly source of shame, disgust and sorrow to Irishmen at home and abroad ? Yours B.A.J.M Mexborough

GER OUT, YOU SCAMP !
Jan 1882

Some Town Commissioners were not happy with the work of Breary, the Borough Surveyor.

James Lynch (to Breary) - You will be dismissed my good fellow.

Breary - Ger out, you scamp !

Lynch - Do you hear what he says to me ?

Thomas O'Conner (Chairman) - What ?

Lynch - Get out of this you scamp.

O'Conner - I ask the Borough Surveyor to make an apology.

Breary refused to do so and walked out of the room.

Lynch - I will ask for his instant dismissal. I won't take an apology.

A THREAT OF TYPHOID
Jan 1882

Dr Henry Anthony said the town sewers were so bad that there was a threat of typhoid.

James F.Ryan - You will soon have the plagues of Egypt in the town before long.

John Scanlan said there was nothing in Dr Anthony's report and he was opposed to spending any money on the sewers.

Ryan ( to Scanlan) - You have ripped up every old house in the town.

Scanlan - If I have I have also improved the town.

Scanlan handed in a resolution saying no work should be done on the main sewer.

Ryan said Scanlan's resolution was handed in too late and was illegal.

Scanlan - Oh, you and your law are not worth bothering about.

After an argument, the Chairman, Thomas O'Conner, left the room and Ryan took his role. Scanlan then left.

Ryan said the lives of people were at stake and he was prepared to sign any cheques that would get the work done (hear, hear).

Ryan - Now, gentlemen, I want to know where is that notice of motion handed in a while ago on a dirty slip of pass book. It is contrary the usages of any respectable public body to have its members hand in notices written on soiled slips of paper, and thenceforward it will be the duty of the presiding chairman to refuse all notices not written on superfine cream laid note paper (hear, hear). Where is that despicable little notice, the outcome of that little man who has just left, for I believe it is the unanimous wish of the board that it should be consigned to everlasting flames.

Nov 1893
An edifying spectacle at Dungarvan. Threats to smash one another's faces

Thomas Maloney ( to John Curran) - You are the biggest jobber here, Johnny, and you know it.

M.J.Casey - You are a drunken scoundrel Mahoney.

Thomas Quinlan - If you don't hold your tongue Casey I will expose you.

Casey - What can you expose - go on.

Quinlan ( to Casey who was sitting by the fire) - I don't think you are in your place. Come down here.

Casey - I don't won't to deal with drunken brutes like you (sensation) ... I am sorry to see a respectable man like you, Mr Maloney under the influence of liquor as you are tonight.

Mahoney - You are a liar sir. I am able to conduct myself as well as any member ... I am sorry I did not bring my stick (laughter).

Two men were introduced into the boardroom who were looking for work - Wall and Leahy. The men refused to leave and were chucked out by the Hall Porter and Town Clerk.

The uproar at his point was tremendous. Mr Casey and Mr Quinlan were engaged in an exciting discussion. Quinlan called Casey a low cur. Casey said he would send for the police to get Quinlan removed. Quinlan said it was only for he had respect for those present he would smash his face. Casey ran to the door as Quainlan approached and called loudly for the police.

Nov 1893
CUT HEADS AND BLOODY NOSES

Letter to the editor

In looking through the streets of this town on Friday evening last my attention was drawn to a crowd of people outside the Town Hall. I made enquiry of what was the cause of the people being congregated there and I was told a most scandalous row had taken place in the Town Commissioner's room and that some of the combatants had cut heads and bloody noses. I enquired who the fighting Commissioners were and was informed they were Messrs John Cullinan, Edmond McCarthy, Thomas Quinlan and Michael J.Casey etc. I was further informed that it was only by some miraculous intervention that some of the Commissioner's necks were not broken by a Commissioner flinging those Commissioners down the stairs as he had threatened to do in a most violent manner.WN

Nov 1893
A terrible Uproar. Hostilities renewed at Dungarvan

As the time approached for holding the meeting a lively interchange of the usual complements incidental to meetings of the body took place, and such expressions as "I hope you are not drunk tonight, Tom" and "Here comes Johnny the Jobber" were freely indulged in.

Mr Cullinane proposed that Edmond McCarthy take the Chair. Thomas Quinlan seconded the motion. John Curran proposed Michael J.Casey. This was supported by another member. The Town Clerk said he would sit in the Chair until it was properly decided who should be Chairman. Here one member seized the Chair and an excited scuffle took place...The Chair being the prized object for which the Councillors fought on this occasion it was roughly handled and the article of furniture in question, although of great historical antiquity, was not proof against the efforts of the irate Councillors so it collapsed and fell asunder, the back falling on the fire. The excitement was becoming intense at this stage and each member came to the support of his own friends. The squabble thus became a general engagement, one member delivered a right hander at his neighbour which missed its work, but landed on the mouth of a peacemaker behind, who was at once transformed into a belligerent, and went for his opponent to such purpose that he landed him under the Town Clerk's desk in the corner of the room, where he was protected from further injury by the rear guard of the attacking force. Meanwhile to the consternation of the officials, who endeavored to protect the corporate property, the chair caught fire. The Town Clerk immediately rushed into the lower end of the room, caught the chair in his arms, and after battling with the flames for some time succeeded in preserving the remnant of that antique and interesting seat of wisdom, learning and politeness for the benefit of posterity. Still the battle raged between the contending parties. The gentleman who drew the first blood was protected by his friends while the gore poured from his adversary's mouth, who made frantic efforts to get within striking distance. At last an opening was found. The top-coat of an aged member was used as a shield to protect the man under the desk, and although the blows fell fast and furious, yet the owner of the said top-coat being accustomed to run the blockade, defended his friend with such tact that not a single blow reached its object until the attacking party observing a split in the tail of the coat let this opponent have a thumper between the eyes, and knocked him all of a heap under the desk. Blood poured from the wound copiously. This was the signal for general melee. One gentleman who fancied the Commissioners indulged in the luxury of a tongs, rushed to the fire-place in search of that article, which failing to discover he did the next best thing under the circumstances, and seized hold of that useful requisite, the poker, which stood alone in the corner like the solitary sparrow on the house top moaning at the parsimony of the municipal legislators having failed to provide it with a suitable companion in the shape of a decent tongs. Other members of the body took the tip and also rushed to the fireplace, but as the poker had already been monopolised, nothing remained but a seven ounce cut glass ink bottle, which was eagerly laid hold of for the purposes of offense or defence as the exigencies of the occasion might require. But the gentleman who took forcible possession of the poker had scarcely time to congratulate himself on his good fortune in securing such an admirable means of enforcing his opinions when he was seized by the throat and received an unmerciful shaking from a colleague who reminded him that on a former occasion he nearly came to grief by a rather free indulgence in the use of the poker. The knight of the fire iron fought hard to retain his prize, but at length owing to the strain of the contest the shirt buttons gave way, and the remnant of what has been classically described by a famous writer as a "Tommy" fell to the floor. "I have you at last," said the hero of the poker, "I will make you pay for that." But whether the that referred to the mutilated "Tommy" or the shaking, must remain a mystery until the majesty of the law which has been invoked, throws more light on the subject... When the smoke of battle had cleared during a momentary pause in the fight someone called out that the man under the desk was "kilt" while another tremendous "smasher" was descending on his devoted head, when Mr Michael Beary, Borough Surveyor, seeing that the matter was becoming serious threw himself into the breach, seizing the uplifted hand of the attacking party and averted the stroke which, if delivered, might have the melancholy effect of altering the comparative "kilt" into the superlative killed in less time than it takes to transcribe these lines. A member of the body here ventured to suggest that the police should be called in to put an end to the disturbance. Meanwhile, Michael J.Casey took possession of what remained of the chair and suggested that they should go on with the business...

At the close of the business on investigating the casualties the following was the result : John Curran, forehead badly bruised, abrasion on nose, John Cullinane, three teeth injured, lip damaged, Michael J.Casey, "Tommy" and tie fearfully mangled, shirt buttons dislocated. Corporate property injured : one mahogany armchair partially destroyed by fire, one folding screen burned, one bottle of ink spilled. We failed to ascertain the number of hats blocked or top coats injured in the "scrimmage." WN

Dec 1893
HIS GRINDERS WERE ALL PERFECT AND FIT FOR ACTION AT ANY MOMENT

There were complaints about Dungarvan Town Commissioners using resolutions of condolences to make personal points. While ostensibly seconding a resolution one Commissioner said it was a mistake to say he had 3 teeth knocked out of him at the last meeting. His "grinders" were all perfect and fit for action at any moment

Oct 1895
WE HAVE CLEARED THE RUBBISH FROM THE BOARD

Edmond Keohan, Chairman of the DungarvanTown Commissioners, read the following letter.

Sir, We the undersigned Town Commissioners beg to tender you our resignations as members of your board...It was the earnest requests of the priests and influential townsmen that we consented to act as Commissioners for the sake of purifying the board and to put an end to the scenes that have disgraced our town, and make it the byword of reproach. Our object had almost been completed when certain members were elected at the last election in preference to gentlemen who were nominated in the interests of peace and harmony...Now that these gentlemen, about whom the Local Government Board wrote that they were instituting legal proceedings as the result of a sworn enquiry held into their conduct as guardians of the poor, are now back as Commissioners, we deem it our imperative duty, both as a protest against the action of those responsible for their election as well as for the sake of our characters, to discontinue being members of your board - signed Thomas Quinlan, Thomas Flynn, John Mooney, Thomas Power, Edmond O'Shea, Francis Stuart and Michael Barry.

After the letter was read out Messers Curran, Casey and O'Conner clapped their hands with vehemence.

Thomas O'Conner - I now propose that their resignations be accepted.

John Curran - I second that.

O'Conner - We have cleared the rubbish from the Board - not only the rubbish, Mr Chairman, but the rotten rubbish. A more insulting document was never read.

John Curran - Did Frank Stuart and Johnny Walsh think they could get rid of the men true to the old name of Captain Richard Curran ? The name Curran will never die in the town, and the day will never come that the name Curran will not be at every public board in Dungarvan.

The new members co-opted on to the Board were Edmond Cashin, James F.Ryan, John Daniel, Edward McCarthy, John Scanlan, Michael Foley and John Butler.

(Edmond O'Shea, who had just resigned as a Town Commissioner but continued to attend the meetings as the Dungarvan correspondent for the Waterford Star, wrote "It is well that the ratepayers ( blind, foolish, invertebrate and with neither the will nor desire to discriminate) who are answerable for this latest infusion of boisterous new blood, should have so speedily got reason to realise ( if possible) their incredible folly.")

Nov 1895
EXCUSE ME, GENTLEMEN, I HAVE LOST MY TEETH

Thomas O'Conner (referring to the TC's who resigned ) - Mr Chairman says they were good men, these runaways, this pack of know nothings, this pack of scribblers that have left this board - excuse me, gentlemen, I have lost my teeth.

Ryan - Your heart is all right.

O'Conner - They are now back on their knees asking to be let back on the board, but they will be gone forever as long as O'Conner is in Dungarvan.

Ryan - I saw Dungarvan placarded in London - "Terrible scenes at Dungarvan" - and all the disgrace is brought on the town by one man for a few shillings. I saw him a pot boy at the monk's school and I say -

Edmond O'Shea - If you refer to me, Mr Ryan, the people of Dungarvan know me better and respect me better than they do you. If you were worth taking an action against I would take it. You have only a few shillings a week for minding the shop.

Ryan - You are lying, Sir.

O'Shea - You are not worth an action and the only thing to do is to break your face (confusion and noise).

Keohan resigned as Chairman and the meeting broke up in disorder.

We saw on Sunday Mr Tom O'Conner and Mr J.F.Ryan in the park, if not hatching treasons and stratagems at least as thick as pickpockets. As before, we shudder to prophesy the time when they will be at one another's throats.

Nov 1895
SCRUBBERS NAMES WIPED OUT

(Captain Gibbons had left some land by the sea which he wanted the people of Dungarvan to use as a park. A park had been created and a monument erected. The Town Commissioners then had their names inscribed on the monument. The widow of Captain Gibbons complained about this and the names were removed. The Town Commissioners then became known as the Scrubbers. )

Edmond O'Shea wrote in the Waterford Star that "None of the great grandchildren of the aforementioned 'scrubbers' will ever know that their great grandfathers had a hand in converting the cabbage gardens and potato plots into the present recreation grounds."

Nov 1895
YOU ARE GROWLING AT ME

Captain Curran moved and Mr O'Brien seconded that John Curran be moved to the Chair. Mr P.J.Power MP and Mr J.J.Shea MP acknowledged receipt of resolution from the Town Commissioners to drop the charges against John Curran and M.J.Casey. An order preventing Mr Casey storing flour in the butter market was rescinded. The following resolution was passed : "Please allow Mr Casey to store a few tons of flour in the butter market."

Edward McCarthy made a speech hoping there would be no squabbling or recriminations at the present board. He ended with a poem :

There should be peace at home
Where we, Dungarvan Commissioners meet
Quarrels should never come;
And if on any subject we disagree
We should not proceed to fight
But conduct our business with harmony
As we hope to do tonight
(applause)

McCarthy - You must not object to me standing up here, Mr Ryan. I will not stand here as often as it suits me.

Ryan - I am not objecting.

McCarthy - You are growling at me.

( At the end of the meeting)

Ryan - Before we leave I want to give one cheer for the immortal Parnell. Vi va, vi va! Hip, hip, hurrah.

There was no response and Mr Ryan left.

Jun 1896
YOU ARE NOT FIT TO BE CHAIRMAN OF A PACK OF DONKEYS

Ryan said some "darstedly fiend with human appearance" had sent the report of his appearance in court to his sister a nun at Maryborough. He claimed that there were policemen out to destroy him. He took a Bible out of his pocket and kissing the Bible swore he was innocent of the charges. He then threw the Bible on the table. "A feeling of sensation prevailed amongst the members."

Thomas O'Conner - By what authority does Orr sit in the Borough Court ?

John Curran ( to Ryan ) - You are taking advantage of your position to cover your conviction at the petty sessions. A most disgraceful thing. It was a cowardly thing for any man to do it.

Ryan - I don't own a rotten public house.

John Curran - It is a disgrace.

Ryan - You are not fit to Chairman of a pack of donkeys.

John Scanlan attacks Captain Richard Curran about his use of the quary.

John Curran (Chairman) said he could not keep order with Mr Scanlan.

Ryan - Faith, you can not because your mind is clouded with your own little games and the devil else you think of.

Scanlan ( to Captain Curran) - It is you were the cause of it all - with your dirty cringing ways.

Ryan - Captain Curran wants a monopoly.

Captain Curran - I never had a monopoly.

Ryan - You would go to hell for a shilling.

Jun 1896
YOU ARE AN OLD WEATHERCOCK

Thomas Power told the Town Commissioners that the Kilrush people where paying less water rates than other areas. He said he was against corruption and this was selling the people of the town for votes.

John Curran - I am able for you.

James F.Ryan - If every member acted as straight and consistently as Mr Tom Power the board would be all right.

Patrick O'Brien - I always voted straight here.

Ryan - You are an old weathercock. You are a stranger.

O'Brien - Where are your father and mother from ?

Ryan - You are a bloody old bastard. You never voted straight. I will go for some of you like a Malay some night and pitch you down the stairs.

1896
THE CELEBRATED DUNGARVAN TOWN COMMISSIONERS

A letter to the Wexford Independent

We have much reason to blush for our local bodies. They are getting far too staid and respectable altogether. How can they pretend they are doing anything worthy of their positions when we compare them with the celebrated Dungarvan Town Commissioners and the now more famous Kilkenny Corporation.

A theatrical company or a circus never had a ghost of a chance of earning an honest penny in Dungarvan. When the theatre is open the people sit tightly at home and wait serenely for the next meeting of the local board. Henry Irvine, J.L.Toole, Mary Anderson and Dorothy Baird all together would be a failure as a rival attraction once the ructions commence at the town board. These are the Commissioners for my money.

Jun 1896
AFTER SAYING OUR PRAYERS

Dungarvan Correspondent.

After saying our prayers as usual and making our respective wills we went into the Dungarvan Town Commissioner's meeting.

Jul 1896
YOU BLOODY FAT HEADED HOUND

Terrible scenes of rowdyism at the Dungarvan Town Board.

The meeting started with a skirmish between John Scanlan and Michael J.Casey, who protested that Scanlan had shoved him out of his seat. He said he was in the seat before Scanlan.

Scanlan - You tell a lie, Sir. You were not heard of when I was sitting here.

Casey - I was writing a resolution when I was pushed out of my seat.

Scanlan - Oh, there is great injury done to you.

John Curran (Chairman) - I must say Mr Scanlan is most disorderly.

Scanlan - You are at it again Mr Chairman.

James F.Ryan said Casey was selling seeds to the Town Commissioners and this was wrong. Casey said he had not sold them to the Commissioners but to the Mr Breary, Borough Surveyor. Ryan repeated that it should not be done.

Casey - You are not here by the voice of the ratepayers.

Ryan - Shut up, you bloody vulgar booby.

Discussion of £50 payment for work done by Mr Breary.

Casey - I move that it be paid.

Scanlan - It is referred to the finance committee.

Casey - No it is not, pay it.

Ryan - Casey is boss of the castle tonight. He is bullying all here tonight.

Casey - Stop it now, I tell you. I want no talk from a drunken rowdy.

Ryan - G'long you bloody fat headed hound. I will give you something in 10 minutes and I am not afraid of your poker either - a revolver wouldn't frighten me.

Casey - Try it, my rowdy.

Ryan - He had made up his mind to insult everyone tonight - the bloody yahoo.

Captain Curran was supplying the Town Commissioners with stones from his quarry. Scanlan said that this was wrong and the Town Commissioners should advertise for a quarry. Captain Curran, John Curran and Michael J.Casey opposed this.

Ryan - I am straight. I am ashamed to sit here.

John Curran - You are lost. Your character is gone. You are disgraced to be here at all.

Ryan - I am shocked at your duplicity and chicanery. Why on earth can't you be straight ?

Scanlan - He could if he liked but it doesn't suit.

Captain Curran then proposed that on old employee of his Andy Dooley who had worked for him for 26 years be employed by the Town Commissioners to quarry stones. John Curran supported Captain Currran's motion.

Scanlan - Don't prostitute yourself any more Mr Chairman.

Ryan - What are we doing here at all, exposing ourselves to infamy and the newspapers. Look at him (Captain Curran) scratching his nose over there !

Captain Curran - Hold your tongue, you rowdy.

Ryan - Hold your tongue, you bloody old yahoo. That won't stop me.

John Curran - Andy Dooley is accepted.

Michael Foley (striking the table) - We didn't come here to do jobs.

John Curran - Oh, didn't you do a job for the theatrical company ?

O'Brien - Invite tendors. It is a piece of robbery. We will resign if things go on like this.

John Curran - I bet you a sovereign you won't.

Thomas O'Conner - If 11 men and myself agree to resign we will leave this board to the Currans and Casey.

Casey protested and said he was never in the bankruptcy court like some of his neighbours. Nothing could be said of him.

Scanlan - Mr O'Conner was known here long before you came from Comeragh.

Casey - I am not a turncoat.

Scanlan - G'long with you.

Ryan - The dirty blood is there. He was kicked out of the Guardians and we'll kick him out here too !

Aug 1896
DO YOU HEAR WHAT THE VILLIAN SAYS?

Argument about the quarry tender given to Andy Dooley.

Ryan proposed that the tender go to Patrick Colbert who offered a lower tender.

John Curran (Chairman) said he would not accept the resolution.

Michael J.Casey - Next business.

Ryan - We want none of your bullocking or bulldozing. Who the devil could you frighten? We will have no damn trick of the loop here.

Thomas O'Conner - Casey was keeping 5 tons of flour in the Town Hall free of charge.

Ryan - What the blazes brings this fellow from the foot of the Comeraghs to put the keys of the Town Hall in his pocket and go round the country with it. What the devil right has he to do that?

Patrick O'Brien said it was wrong to give a man a shilling for quarrying stone when you could get it for 6d.

John Curran - It is all a mistake. You are misled.

Ryan - Do you here what the villian says, that you are misled. That is another way of saying you have no intelligence (laughter).

Feb 1897
YOU SENT 12 GANGS OUT NIGHT AND DAY

Arguement between Robert Knowles and John Scanlan

Knowles - I got 50 votes and you only got 30.

Scanlan - I got 55 votes without solicitation, but you had your satellites out and you brutalised them. You sent 12 gangs out night and day.

May 1897
YOU NONSENSICAL BOMBAST

The Chairman (John Curran) caught the Borough Surveyor, Mr Beary, by the coat to ask him a question.

Beary - Let go of my coat, Sir. Don't touch me, Sir.

Curran - I want to ask you a question.

James F.Ryan - How dare you cross examine the Borough Surveyor in such an insulting manner.

Curran - I'll do what I like here.

Argument about the Dungarvan Band Stand.

James F.Ryan - This is a matter of great urgency - I will be heard. No man could have patience with you. A saint in Heaven couldn't. You object to hear an educated man speak - a B.A. of Trinity.

Curran - You never got the degree.

Ryan - You are a liar and I have the stamp of it. I want to speak on an important subject - the bandstand in the park. This is urgent, so urgent that I can not defer it longer, and I want to know -

Curran - Cut it short.

Ryan - I beg to propose that an order be made to get the stand.

Curran had received a letter about the bandstand which he refused to read. The Town Clerk went to get the letter but he could not find it.

Ryan - The Chairman had it under the book (laughter).

Curran said the letter was private and addressed to himself - the Chairman of the Town Commissioners.

Thomas Power - And do you call that a private letter - a letter for the Chairman of this board? Why it is a letter for the board.

Ryan attempted to give a speech but he was interrupted by John Scanlan.

Scanlan - Hold your tongue you nonsensical bombast. I know you since you came out of the shell.

Jun 1897
I WOULD TAKE YOU WITH ONE HAND AND SHAKE YOU AROUND THE ROOM

J.F.Ryan - Casey was all night roaring in a hoarse rather Billingsgate voice. No corner boy could be worse (laughter).

Edmond McCarthy ( to Ryan) - I would take you with one hand and shake you around the room. You are an educated man. You are a tool to people here, but you ought to be elsewhere.

John Curran - Reply to that. You are afraid of him.

McCarthy - I would take you with one hand and shake you around the room.

Ryan - Do you like that ?

Curran - You are afraid of your life of Mr McCarthy.

John Scanlan - He will not insult him.

Ryan wants ladies to be able to use the swimming area.

M.J.Casey (to Ryan) - I want to know was fined here for indecent behaviour and is that the man who champions the ladies cause ?

Mr Ryan (to Casey) - Who is the man that was sent to jail for nearly killing a man with a poker ? You are an ignorant baboon. I never heard a sensible expression from your lips - with your bloody big head.

Jun 1897
I WILL CRUSH YOU LIKE A RAT

James F.Ryan ( to John Curran) - You were always rotten since you came from Ballingoul.

Michael J.Casey ( about James F.Ryan) - His conduct is scandalous and disgraceful.

Ryan - Shut up you rotten hound you or I'll break your head. You garrulous, rhapsodical humbug. There was never a sensible word come from your lips, you nonsensical baboon.

John Curran - Ryan you are a disgrace.

Ryan - You are a disgrace to Dungarvan and I will put you out of the Chair.

Curran - I will be here in spite of you.

Ryan - I will crush you like a rat. You are not a Dungarvan man at all.

Curran - What am I?

Ryan - You are a Ring man and you have the intelligence of a Ring man.

Ryan began smoking near the fireplace.

Casey - Mr Chairman, stop this smoking. I can't stand rotten tobacco.

Ryan (puffing more vigorously) - Would you like a slap on the jaw?

Jun 1897
BLAST YOU AND MAY THE DEVIL HOIST YOU

More arguments about the bandstand in the park.

James Hayes - Shut up, you keoulawn you.

John Scanlan - Go along, you ninnyhammer. I was in the town before you were in it.

Patrick O'Brien made a long speech on the butter market.

Ryan - Don't be making a fool of yourself. You sent the butter market down to enrich Merry and a Methodist ironmonger. It is over the Quay you ought to be with a millstone around your neck.

Michael J.Casey objected to Ryan's behaviour.

Casey - Send for two police and get that man removed, Mr Chairman.

Ryan - Go along, you bosthoon, with your two policemen. If I ever find you talking to my father or going in to my father's house I will settle you. Why should you talk of police for me, you bloody fellow. I handled a policeman when I was 15 years old on the square and thats more than you could do, you bloody fellow.

John Curran ( Chairman) later interrupted Ryan.

Curran - How dare you dictate to Mr Power.

Ryan - How dare you, you bloody ignorant bastard. Why won't you hear me?

Curran - I won't.

Ryan - You ignorant clod.

After a speech by Patrick O'Brien, Thomas Power rose to reply and said that Mr O'Brien was an honest man, but he was labouring under a delusion.

This expression created the greatest wildness and noise.

Power tried to speak.

Curran - I won't hear you until you withdraw the word.

Power - What word?

Curran - Delusion (uproar)!

Ryan (to Curran) - You are a bloody deluder, you are.

O'Brien - Who is Power that he should use such language towards me?

Curran - That's an insulting word "delusion". You have transgressed the limits of decency.

Ryan (to Curran) - What is the meaning of the word, Mr Chairman?

Curran - Go to Webster. It is an insult to Mr O'Brien.

Ryan - What is the meaning of the word, Mr Chairman? You don't know, you bloody ignorant lout of a Ballinagoul scrubber.

Casey - Send for the police.

Ryan - You fetid-headed villian, hold your tongue.

O'Brien - It is the grossest impertinence of Power to use that word to me.

Edmund McCarthy - Mr Power ought to withdraw that word.

Ryan rose to speak and the Chairman interrupted him.

Ryan - How dare you, you bloody bastard, talk to me like that?

The Chairman put the question to a vote as to whether Power should be called on to withdraw the word delusion

Captain Richard Curran, John Curran (Chairman), Patrick O'Brien, Edmund McCarthy, Michael J.Casey and John Scanlan voted that he should withdraw. The others refused to vote. Thomas Power then addressed the press as he was prevented from continuing his speech by the Chairman.

John Curran ( to Edmund O'Shea, reporter) - Mr O'Shea if you report what a private member says to you then you will be in the wrong box.

O'Shea - I will report what occurs here and you shall not dictate to me as to what I shall report (loud applause).

Subject became the butter market.

John Curran ( to Thomas O'Conner) - You are jobbing at that market house for the past 30 years.

O'Conner - Do you call me a jobber?

Ryan - He did.

O'Conner - You called me a jobber and I will make you pay for it. My character is too well known. I was never hunted out of a public board like you.

Ryan - Give it to him, Tom. You have him again! Don't let him off now - let him have it hot. That's worse than "delusion".

Ryan (to Curran) - You went on your knees before, but you won't be let off this time. Look at him now, the benign smile on him like a Mellary monk, and the villainy in his heart all the time.

At this point the strains of the band were heard coming to the Town Hall, playing "The Harp" and Mr Hayes called for order for the band. The subject returned to the bandstand. John Curran refused to take a resolution for the bandstand to be erected.

Scanlan - Is it at the bridge it will be erected?

Ryan - No, in your backyard? Don't you know where it will be erected?

Scanlan said they were squandering away the money.

Ryan - Woe to you if you oppose this bandstand. You would be hurled over the Quay.

Ryan (to Curran) - The autocrat of all the Russians never did such a thing as to refuse to put a resolution for the board. The town of Dungarvan to be presided over by a Turk from Ring that has as much brains as Madagascar monkey.

Curran - I brought you on to the board.

Ryan - I want to refer to that statement about the Chairman bringing me on to the board. You did it as an instrument of revenge on a member of the press (Mr O'Shea) because you were kicked out of the union. "I will get you in", he said, "if you promise to crush O'Shea." Wasn't that damn nasty? Look at him now like death's head with his driveling cadaverous countenance. Look at old death's head in the chair.

Curran - I have never seen such traitors.

Ryan said if he smashed Curran's face now he would have another summons.

Curran - The case is penditt lyty.

Ryan - Hold your tongue you blasted clown - its pendente lite. Raise the price of admission, Tom, to a shilling. Oh, the bloody clown - the classical scholar from Ballingoul. When you can't speak English what the blazes do you go into classics for? Blast you and may the devil hoist you.

Casey - Send for the police, Mr Chairman, and have that man removed.

Ryan - It would take a regiment of soldiers to remove me you bloody fetid faced bugger.

Jun 1897
IF HELL VOMITED UP A ROWDY HE COULD NOT BE WORSE

Dungarvan Petty Sessions
John Curran asked that James F.Ryan be bound over to keep the peace after using threatening language towards him.

Curran - On the 3rd of June I presided at the meeting; Ryan was present; after the meeting a discussion arose about the bathing strand...Ryan rushed towards me with outstretched arms and closed fists and said he would smash my bloody face. Mr McCarthy, Town Clerk, was there and put Mr Ryan back; after that Ryan said he would do for me; he called me a "frosty faced ignorant Ring man."

Ryan's lawyer - Did you say Ryan came back in a sack from London ?

Curran - No. I said he was sent back in an donkey cart from Youghal with an old sack thrown over him.

John Scanlan - Curran's evidence was correct he made the same attack on me. If hell vomited up a rowdy he could not be worse.

Magistrates W.Orr RM, C.J.Curran, C.N.Humble and M.Maunsell dismissed the application.

Jul 1897
CHAOS OCCURRED ALL AROUND

M.J.Casey (about Ryan) - He couldn't call anyone names - he is worse himself.

J.F.Ryan - If I go over to you fellow I will give you something.

M.J.Casey - Try, come over.

The Chairman of the Town Commissioners, John Curran, sat reading the paper with his hat on while chaos occurred all around.

Oct 1897
WHY CAN'T YOU BE STRAIGHT ?

The matter of Mr Wall's election presented feature of novelty, while the disturbing element was so much in evidence that a jolly row was looked forward to with absolute certainty; and it transpired that preparations were made to cope with it. First of all a crowd collected outside the Town Hall as if a show or menagerie were in progress, and next we had a goodly array of police constables in waiting outside the Town Commissioners' doors with all the instruments necessary for the quelling of a row.

After resolution of condolence was read for the family of the late John Butler, Town Commissioner, John Curran declared that the meeting was adjourned a week in Butler's memory. Most of the other Commissioners wanted to elect John Wall, in Butler's place, before the adjurnment. John Curran said they must adjourn. Resolutions were written by James Hayes and John Walsh demanding that a vote be taken. Curran ripped up the resolutions. John Wall then entered the room and threatened O'Brien, one of Curran's supporters. The Town Clerk was called on to put the resolution.

Curran (to Town Clerk) - Take care of your books, I tell you, or you'll be sorry.

Curran then took the resolution from the Town Clerk and tore it up.

Town Clerk - Why can't you be straight ?

Keohan - He could get 5 or 6 years penal servitude for tearing that.

Another resolution was handed to the Town Clerk and Thomas Power and James Hayes formed a bodyguard to stop Curran from snatching it. A poll was then taken. For Wall : Knowles, O'Conner, Power, Walsh, Sheehan, Barry, Keohan and Hayes. Against : Michael Foley, Casey and O'Brien. Wall's friends cheered enthusiastically.

Keohan (to Curran) - You are a Unionist, a Dillonite, a Whig, a Redmonite and a Parnellite when it suits your purposes. 

Nov 1897
IT WOULD NOT TAKE MUCH ROPE TO HANG YOU

Mr Breary, the Borough Surveyor, claimed he was owed money by the Town Commissioners. John Curran did not want to pay it.

Curran - We could be hanged for paying it.

James Hayes - It would not take much rope to hang you.

Breary said he was owed £18.

John Curran ( pushing Mr Breary) - Sit down there.

John Wall - This is most uncalled for. It is a blackguard act. I never saw such an act as that.

Nov 1897
CHAIRMAN ASKED TO PRESIDE IN WARM REGIONS

John Walsh read a postcard which he had received from London. It referred to the Chairman and came from the "Satanic Club", Whitechapel. It asked to have the Chairman preside in the warm regions. Curran accused Walsh of sending it himself. Walsh denied this and squared up to Curran.

John Wall claimed that Curran had cheated him at cards in Curran's house 25 years ago and he was the biggest tyrant he had ever come across.

Feb 1898
GO AWAY YOU JACKAL

Some Commissioners wanted the rates reduced.

John Walsh said that owing to the conduct of the Chairman (John Curran) he would pass a resolution that no rates be struck.

John Scanlan (Walsh's landlord) - What rates do you pay ? I pay the rates for you.

Walsh handed the resolution to John Curran.

John Curran - Go away you jackel.

Walsh - How dare you call me a jackal.

Walsh then when to strike Curran, but Breary, the Borough Surveyor, intervened and held Walsh back.

Curran - Strike me now and I will make you pay for it.

Walsh - There is no use coming here at all. Let's leave this place.

Town Commissioners Thomas Power, Robert Knowles, John Wall, Barry and Walsh then left the room.

Jun 1898
CALL IT "BROADWAY, NEW YORK"

The Local Government Board wrote calling attention to Mr Scanlan's houses in Dirty Lane.

John Scanlan - Call it Cox's Lane.

James Hayes - Call it Broadway, New York (laughter).

Scanlan said the condition of the lane was due to the piggery and it should be removed. 

Sep 1898
THE VERY WORMS THAT WILL TRY TO LIVE ON YOUR CARCASS AFTER DEATH WILL DIE

Wall attacked John Curran calling him a Uriah Heep.

Curran - A great deal you know about novels.

Michael J.Casey then handed in a resolution that the Town Commissioners pay the money John Curran had been surcharged by the Local Government Board because of irregularities.

Thomas O'Conner grabbed the resolution and tore it to pieces.

John Wall (to John Curran) - I believe that the very worms that will try to live on your carcass after death will die.

Oct 1898
I WILL LEATHER AND LASH THE LIFE OUT OF YOU

Thomas O'Conner ( to John Curran) - I will leather and lash the life out of you...Come out in the street and meet me there...(to John Scanlan) Birds of a feather flock together. You are putting yourself in the same boat as Curran.

John Scanlan - I like to be with respectable men. Nobody knows what your antecedents were, you Corkonian you.

Thomas O'Conner - I belong to this town.

John Scanlan - You don't, you Corkonian. I have your genealogy very well. I know a good deal about you, Mr Tom.

Thomas O'Conner - Come out in the street and attack me.

John Scanlan - If I did I would have you in the channel.

 Dec 1898
An Appreciative Dog At The Corporate Meeting

On Monday night Mr Hayes brought another dog to the meeting, but this animal seemed to be more enlightened than his predecessor for he not only jumped to a vacant seat at the boardroom table but looked intelligently around and wagged his tail as if he were among old friends. This caused a great deal of merriment, but the climax was capped when the animal jumped upon the table and walked around it examining the countenance of each member in turn. Mr Casey laughed hysterically.

Jan 1899
YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE AS MANY TURNIPS THERE

Archdeacon Sheedy PP Dungarvan chairs meeting organised by priests to select suitable candidates for Dungarvan Urban Council.

The meeting was held in the Town Hall and attended by over 300 people.

Archdeacon Sheedy said they were there to nominate men who should possess certain qualifications and one of the qualifications was that they should be upright and honest. He had no object but he welfare of the town and country.

Candidates proposed by priests : William Lawlor, James Hayes, thomas Power, Michael Barry, Thomas O'Conner, Edmond Keohan, Michael Power, John Wall, Patrick Veale, Thomas Barry, Captain Sheehan and James Wheelan.

Mr Edmund McCarthy TC, said that he did not question the right of the Parish Priest to preside at the meeting, but there was a minority of the electors present and candidates should not be nominated from a minority.

Archdeacon Sheedy - You are out.

McCarthy - Maybe so.

Archdeacon Sheedy - You are (loud applause).

James Ryan - If the College of Cardinals came there to support them they would not be elected.

Edmond McCarthy - While there were several good names on the list there were others that were a useless lot.

John Scanlan - You might as well have as many turnips there. I fear no man. This is a one sided nomination (loud cries of order).

Father Prendergast said he had a few words he would say to the meeting..

James Ryan - I heard you too often before.

A voice - How dare you insult the priest.

Rev V.Landy - One thing was apparent to everyone, and that was the disgraceful scenes that were enacted at the Town Board, and they should endeavour to remove the men that were the cause of them (applause).

Scanlan attempted to speak but was shouted down. John Curran next attempted to speak, but there arose a deafening din so that not a word of his could be heard. He was seen to gesticulate wildly and work his hands with much vigor, but his voice was not heard amid the uproar.

Father Prendergast said the twelve selected were good men...They would succeed in wiping out the disgrace that had fallen upon the people of Dungarvan for so many years and the rowdyism which had been introduced at the meetings of their Town Board (applause).

Archdeacon Sheedy said as Parish Priest he was never more anxious for anything than he was for the success of this meeting, because since he came to the parish the scenes at the Town Board were painful to him.

Archdeacon Sheedy - They occupied my mind day and night. I could not tell you how painful they were to me, because I love the Dungarvan people (loud applause)...'I saw some papers from South America in which the Town Commissioners were described as being a disgrace to the town. On holiday in England a Presbyterian minister asked me where I lived and when I said Dungarvan, he replied "Oh, you are a pack of cut-throats over there." "No",said I, "we are as quiet and respectable as any in Europe." (Loud applause) "But" said he "don't I see in the papers your Town Commissioners are continually attacking each other." My dear people, I could not tell you how painful it was to me... I thank you sincerely for your votes of thanks, and I have the greatest confidence that these 12 gentlemen, if elected, will never do anything that you will regret or be ashamed of.

(The selected candidates were all elected and referred to as the Twelve Apostles.)

Apr 1899
HOW VERY SAUCY THAT LITTLE MAN IS

Father Prendergast speaking at Ring at the County Council Election

Father Prendergast said that he had cleared out the men who were destroying the character of Dungarvan. They were congratulated on their victory from all parts of the world. Mr Hayes was one of those elected by the priests and people.

James Hayes - Yes, I headed the poll.

Father Prendergast - Yes you did when we canvassed for you, but if you took the other side you would be beaten as the rest (cheers).

James Hayes - I don't know that.

A voice (in Irish) - How very saucy that little man is (laughter).

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