The mayor of Limerick, Diarmuid Scully, has warned that the city's population could be significantly reduced in next weekend's census - because of a certain rugby match in Dublin.
Upwards of 20,000 Limerick people are expected to travel to Dublin for Munster's sell-out European Cup clash with Leinster next Sunday - the same day as the census.
Mr Scully has appealed to fans to return home immediately after the match to ensure the census is an accurate reflection of the city's population.
"Many thousands of Limerick people will be in Dublin and this could well result in the population of Limerick, as recorded in the census, being reduced by several thousand from the real figure. I am asking travelling fans to come home after the match.
"Celebrate the result in Limerick that night and fill out your census form here," he said.
However, it is thought that many thousands of Munster fans may instead opt to stay overnight in Dublin to avoid traffic jams on the return journey.
Every household in the State has received a census form, which should be filled out next Sunday, April 23rd.
The census of population is seen as vitally important by Limerick City Council in an ongoing controversy about a proposed boundary extension.
City officials claim the population has not been recorded accurately in recent years because many people who live in the suburbs are counted as residents of Co Clare and Co Limerick.
The city council wants an extension into those areas but this move has been strongly opposed by the local authorities in both counties.
Mr Scully warned that Limerick's
status as the State's third city could be further eroded if next weekend's census does not record an accurate
population.
"This could have serious implications for Limerick in terms of government and European funding over the next five years. Put simply the smaller our population, the less funding we will receive," the mayor said.