It was in 1966 that Coughlan first began to clash with fellow Limerick labour member Jim Kemmy, something that would go on to become a reoccurring feature of both men's careers. Kemmy was a Limerick bricklayer who had self-taught himself about socialism before joining the Labour party in 1963. Kemmy proved to be an energetic organiser and it didn't take him long to recruit 100 working-class locals as new branch members.
Coughlan began clashing with Jim Kemmy, a fellow Limerick labor member, in 1966—a recurring issue throughout their careers. Kemmy was a self-taught socialist bricklayer who joined the Labour party in 1963. He quickly became an effective organizer and recruited over 100 working-class locals as new branch members.