Double Drowning Tragedy

The tragedy at Murphy's Cove

An extremely poignant tragedy shocked residents and visitors in the locality on Sunday afternoon when Mr. James Cotter of Knockmonlea and Mrs. Evelyn Shanahan of 9 Lower Montenotte, Cork, lost their lives in a heroic attempt to rescue Audrey Shanahan, the young daughter of the latter, who got into difficulties while bathing at Murphy's Cove, Monatrea about 4.30.

The sea was rough at the time and a heavy swell, aided by the filling tide, created a strong backwash all along the coast, but especially at the Monatrea side of the harbour facing the s.w. breeze. This backwash was exceptionally strong in the vicinity of Murphy's Cove, owing to the proximity of the main harbour current, then flowing strongly. To aggravate the danger, between half and full tide periods the beach slopes steeply at this point so that a full grown adult would be out of depth five or six feet from the water's edge. Under such circumstances it would be extremely dangerous for even a powerful swimmer who would be well acquainted with the locality to enter the sea at this point.

The rescue

Unaware of the danger, the girl entered the sea and was quickly taken out of her depth by the backwash. Seeing her predicament her mother, Mrs. Evelyn Shanahan, who was seated on the bench, immediately rushed into the water to rescue the girl but was herself caught by the backwash and carried out of her depth.

Noticing the two in difficulties, Mr. James Cotter, who was sitting higher up the beach with his brother-in-law, Mr. Michael Blake, immediately plunged into the sea, and reaching the woman and her daughter, endeavoured to bring them both ashore. Meantime Mr. Gerald Hannon, Green Coyne, and Mr. J. O'Flaherty, Cork, seeing that Mr. Cotter was making no headway with his double burden, at once went to his assistance and brought the girl ashore. She was then unconscious. They returned and brought Mrs. Shanahan ashore but by that time she seemed to be dead. By the time they reached the beach with her, Mr. Cotter, who had exhausted himself in supporting the woman and girl, and was unable to battle against the heavy backwash, collapsed and sank. Messrs. Hannon and O'Flaherty were too exhausted themselves to return and search for him under the surface, and they then helped to apply artificial respiration to the two victims whom they had brought ashore.

While this was happening Messrs. T. Horgan, C. Watson and J. Murphy, who had crossed the harbour in a small row-boat, were bathing in a safer place further up the harbour. When they heard that someone was in difficulty near the head they immediately boarded their boat and pulled towards the spot, but some persons ashore informed them that everything was alright when they inquired the location, so they returned. Two other boats which followed them also returned.

When Mr. Blake saw that his brother-in-law was unable to make any headway with his double burden, and realising that he could not swim well enough to be of any assistance to him, he at once removed his trousers and singlet and tied them together with a towel to make a lifeline, which he endeavoured to throw to Mr. Cotter, but the first wave caught and rendered it useless, at the same time throwing Mr. Blake back on the beach.

While artificial respiration was being applied to the woman and her daughter by an American Army nurse who was visiting the locality, assisted by others, information was conveyed to the good nuns of the North Presentation Convent, Cork, who were spending their summer vacation at the Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes further up the headland. They immediately prepared warm blankets and other accessories to aid in the revival efforts and sent Mr. Daniel Lehand, the convent gardener, for a priest. Unfortunately the telephone instrument at the Piltown Post Office, some miles away, was out of order since the recent thunderstorm, and another messenger had to cycle to Clashmore for Dr. John T. Mulvihill, who quickly reached the scene of the accident, to find that Mrs. Shanahan was dead. However, artificial respiration was continued on her for some time but without results. Meantime the girl was still unconscious, but eventually she reacted to treatment and was taken to the convent, where the good sisters did everything possible to restore her. On three occasions her pulse stopped, but she was revived, and later in the evening she regained consciousness and was removed to the Youghal Cottage Hospital, where her condition improved.

The Inquest — Michael Blake's evidence

[The opening of Mr. Blake's testimony is missing from the surviving page.]

…depth in water and at times could scarcely stand. As he entered the shore he thought he saw two men enter the water and go out together to the rescue of the three in difficulties. They rescued the girl first and he thought that they both returned, or maybe only one of them returned to rescue Mrs. Shanahan.

The deceased was able to swim and was in good health. He appeared to be in good health on Sunday when he last saw him. In the water he appeared to sink. The deceased Mrs. Shanahan was then being brought to the beach.

Further witnesses

Mr. John Francis Foley, Old Castle, Youghal, stated that he crossed with his family and wife on the 4 p.m. boat to Monatrea and arrived there around 4.10 p.m. They walked towards Murphy's Cove and arrived at the top of the Cove around 5 p.m. He noticed the people floating in the water but did not think anything wrong at the time. He saw some people running around the strand and after some time he realised that they were calling for help and that something had happened. His wife ran back for help and he saw another man, Mr. O'Flaherty, who was on top of the cliff overlooking the beach, run down to the rescue. A second man, Mr. Gerard Hannon of Youghal, who was also dressed, came along at the same time and joined in the rescue. O'Flaherty went out and brought in the girl, and Hannon helped to bring in the woman with O'Flaherty. He did not see the deceased James Cotter at any time and only subsequently had been informed that he too had been in the water.

Mr. John Farrissey, Monatrea, stated that he searched for the body of the deceased, James Cotter, that morning with Mossie O'Mahony. They found it in Murphy's Cove where it was lost. The body was in about three feet of water, dressed in bathing togs, and lying on its back. The tide was about two hours from low water. The tide was falling and it was about 11.30 a.m. He believed that the depth of water about 12 feet from shore, at the time of the accident, would be 15 or 16 feet. A few feet from the shore would bring a person out of his depth. He lives in the locality but never saw any warning notice or any life-saving apparatus on the beach at this side.

Medical evidence and tributes

Dr. John T. Mulvihill, Clashmore, stated that he examined the body of the deceased James Cotter. He had been dead less than 24 hours. He was a very well-nourished man and in his opinion death was due to asphyxia caused by drowning.

The Coroner paid a glowing tribute to the heroism of the deceased in expressing his deep sympathy to Mr. Michael Blake and the other relatives. The deceased had done all that a courageous man could and lost his own life through his heroic efforts to save another. His sacrifice has not been in vain as one life at least has been saved through his efforts. He also paid a tribute to the courageous act of Mr. O'Flaherty and Mr. Hannon for their particularly valuable services in rescuing the girl and Mrs. Shanahan, who did not survive unfortunately. Also to Mr. Foley and Mr. Farrissey and all who had helped in any way and displayed such a fine civic spirit.

Mr. G. Y. Goldberg, Solicitor in Cork, on behalf of Mr. Shanahan joined in the Coroner's tribute to the deceased. He did not know a more heroic effort than the attempt made by the deceased. It was tragic that he lost his own life in the attempt. He was a great and noble man and died in the noble cause of saving another. On behalf of Mr. Shanahan and on his own behalf he expressed sincere sympathy with the bereaved relatives and joined in the tribute paid to all who helped in the rescue. Supt. O'Mahony on behalf of the authorities also joined in the expression of condolence and the tributes.

Inquest on Mrs. Shanahan

Immediately after the inquest on the late Mr. James Cotter, the Coroner opened the inquest on the late Mrs. Evelyn Shanahan. Supt. O'Mahony again represented the authorities and Mr. Gerald Y. Goldberg, solicitor, Cork, represented Mr. Shanahan, solicitor. Mr. Goldberg, having been sworn, identified the body of Mrs. Shanahan, who resided at 9 Lower Montenotte, Cork. He knew her very well; she was about 35 years of age and wife of Mr. Shanahan, solicitor; she was in perfect health and keenly interested in athletic pastimes. He last saw her alive about 10 days ago. Dr. Mulvihill, Clashmore, stated that he was called to the scene of the accident about 6 p.m. The deceased was lying at Murphy's Cove; she was then dead but artificial respiration was still continued. Post-mortem examination indicated that death was due to asphyxia through drowning. The remains appeared those of a normal, healthy woman, well nourished. The face was very cyanosed.

The verdict in both inquests was that death was due to asphyxia caused by accidental drowning.

The Coroner, in expressing his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved relatives, through Mr. Goldberg, repeated his tributes to all who helped in the rescue. In particular, he expressed his appreciation and thanks to the good nuns of the Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes for all the facilities they afforded and for the very practical manner in which they expressed their sympathy by bringing the bodies to their Convent. It was a great work of charity and they did much to allay the grief of the bereaved relatives of both the deceased.

Supt. O'Mahony joined in the expression of condolence and the tributes paid to all who helped, especially the good nuns. Mr. Goldberg also joined in the tribute and on behalf of Mr. Shanahan expressed his great appreciation and gratitude to the nuns and to all who helped in any way.

The Coroner's call for warning notices and life-saving apparatus

Before concluding the proceedings the Coroner said that there was one aspect of the tragedy which was undoubtedly a matter for further consideration. It had been disclosed in the evidence that there were neither warning notices indicating the dangers of the locality nor any life-saving apparatus. There was no doubt of the danger of the place. Two persons had lost their lives there and it was the responsibility of the local authorities to put up warning notices at the dangerous places. In addition to the depth of the water he emphasised the increased danger caused by the river estuary, stressing the lack of life-saving equipment of any kind in the vicinity. He said that if a proper life-line had been available instead of the makeshift line of clothes which had been used, the other lives might have been saved. In his opinion it was the duty of the public authorities responsible to erect warning notices and provide life-saving apparatus at all beaches which are frequented by bathers, and thus make some effort to prevent repetitions of the present shocking tragedy.

The funeral

Later in the evening the body of Mrs. Shanahan was removed to St. Patrick's Church, Cork. Mr. James Cotter was conveyed to St. Mary's Parish Church, Youghal.

The funeral of Mr. James Cotter, who lost his life as the result of a drowning accident at Monatrea, Youghal, on Sunday last, took place on Tuesday last from St. Mary's Church, Youghal, to the family burial ground at Templecurraheen, Carrigtwohill. The attendance was of extremely large dimensions, reflecting in a most practical manner the feelings of the people for the widow, family and relatives of the deceased.