COUNTY KILDARE COMMITTEE OF IRISH VOLUNTEERS

The first meeting of the County Kildare Committee of the Irish Volunteers was held in the Town Hall, Naas on August 26^th, at two o’clock. The attendance comprised representatives from most of the corps in the county.

Mr. John Shiel O’Grady was unanimously elected Chairman of committee; Mr. J.J. Bergin, Athy, was appointed Vice-Chairman. Clause two of the Provisional committee’s scheme of Co. organisation was adopted, viz., “every company in the county shall select at a meeting convened for the purpose, and of which there shall be at least a week’s notice, a company commander, and two half-company commanders. The opinion of the drill instructors advises as to the most competent man. The Commander will in turn appoint four section commanders, but a test of military efficiency shall here be applied. In the election of officers, no man shall be eligible to vote or be elected who has not attended 75 per cent of the drills in the two months preceding election”. For the purposes of such elections and appointments the following will be the minimum strengths: Company, 64, half company, 32, section, 16. With reference to clause 3 of scheme, the first portion was adopted, namely – “The commander will be responsible for the good conduct, discipline and efficiency of the officers and men of his company.” For the remainder of the clause it was agreed that the following be substituted: – “On the occurrence, in the opinion of the commander, of a breach of discipline, that officer shall suspend the person or persons deemed guilty of such breach, pending consideration of the charge by the local committee.”