The families of two Irish literary figures have taken the unusual step of issuing a statement condemning the "unseemly politically inspired debate" surrounding a proposal to name The Square in Listowel after the late Bryan MacMahon.
There has also been argument in the town council over whether to discuss a suggestion to erect a bust to the late John B. Keane in the town square.
The families have called for dignity to be restored and have asked to be consulted before any such civic gestures in future.
The latest episode in the row among councillors as to how best to honour Listowel's two well-known writers comes on the eve of the 28th Listowel Writers' week and the first anniversary of the death of John B. Keane. Both men were closely associated with and were founder members of the writers' week.
Last year the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Denis Stack (FG), proposed renaming The Square in the town "Bryan MacMahon Square".
His proposal met with resistance from councillors on grounds that residents and traders would first have to be consulted. It was also pointed out that a public vote would have to take place and the agreement of the family obtained.
At this month's town council meeting, Fianna Fáil councillors resisted an attempt by Mayor Stack to have a private discussion on the issue.
Yesterday, the Keane and MacMahon families issued a joint statement to the Kerryman newspaper and to Radio Kerry, saying they were greatly upset by the public squabbling.
"That the literary reputations of John B. Keane and Bryan MacMahon, two of the town's most distinguished citizens, should be tarnished by an unseemly politically inspired debate is unfortunate," the statement said.
Both writers, who spent their working lives among their own people, would have been appalled that the literary heritage they left to the town should be tarnished by such debate, and that a discussion to honour their memory should be proceeded by undignified squabbling, it continued.
"Both families, and, we suspect, the townspeople themselves, are saddened to see the reputation of these renowned writers besmirched by such a discussion," it said.
The statement calls for "dignified" debate, adding that any decision would be taken only after consultation with both families.
"John B. Keane and Bryan MacMahon deserve nothing less," the statement concluded.