A major dispute is brewing in Limerick City between members of the Catholic Institute Athletic Club in the City and the Diocese of Limerick, over who controls the club.
Currently, the Bishop of Limerick or his representative, in this case Fr Tony Mullins, is the titular head of the club and has been since the clubs inception nearly 60 years ago.
The Diocese of Limerick holds the title of the club and has the right to impose certain condition on the club's constitution, which includes retaining the power to appoint the club's president.
However many club members are unhappy that the diocese of Limerick remains in control of the club and an EGM has been called for October 24.
It is believed that the current situation was exacerbated last January when the then President of the club, Fr Donal McNamara, who was parish priest in nearby St Munchin's, resigned after a meeting with the club members.
Speaking about his dissatisfaction, club member Flan Brennan said, “Right now we can't even appoint a president because the Bishop of Limerick has that right until we remove it from the constitution.”
He added, “The diocese has not invested any money in the club and they want to retain control.”
He added, “Generally people feel that the club needs a bit of updating, revising and an overhaul, membership is dwindling and it is a bit in the doldrums now.”
Meanwhile a meeting of the trustees, which includes diocesan administrator Fr Tony Mullins, Fr Michael Wall, lecturer in Mary Immaculate College as well as Fr McNamara, Fr Dan Neenan and Fr Liam Kelly, is expected to take place shortly.
While the trustees have not made any direct comment on the issue, they have down played any notion off a stand-off between the parties.
The club was founded in 1910 by a group of Catholic businessmen who wanted their children to play what was considered then to be “protestant sports” such as rugby and cricket.
However a split in the club in the 1950's led to a number of prominent members leaving and it was decided to transfer the club into the ownership of the Catholic Bishop of Limerick where it has remained.