In July of 1933, a local girl crossed the bridge from her home in Killaloe to the Jetty in Ballina (near Flangan’s). Unfortunately she never made it home.
Her name was Annie Noonan.
She was born in 1912 in Killaloe to Michael Noonan and Mary Malone.
Below is an article from the Nenagh Guardian dated 08.07.1933 detailing the drowning, the witness statements, the evidence and the verdict.
Photos were kindly provided on temporary loan by Michael and Lesley Carey, Ballina.
BATHING FATALITIES IN THE SHANNON
Killaloe Girl and East Clare Official Lose Their Lives
Accidental Drowning Verdicts
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On Tuesday afternoon Annie Noonan, a pretty Killaloe girl, lost her life while bathing in the Shannon some distance below the Lakeside Hotel; while Mr. William Flynn, instructor under Clare Agricultural Committee, also lost his life while bathing in the Shannon at Scariff.
Enticed by the glorious sunshine and heat that prevailed, Miss Noonan decided to go for a bathe, accompanied by a girl friend. She crossed to the Tipperary side, and at “The Jetty” decided to venture in. The water is deep at this spot and her girl friend would not bathe, but full of vigour and the joy of life and happiness, Annie plunged in. A few moments later with a cry “Oh, Nellie, I’m done!” she disappeared beneath the water.
Frantic at the occurrence, her companion yelled for help, and Mr. Larry Durack, Ballina, who was swimming a short distance away, ran to the spot. Diving in, he searched in vain for the unfortunate girl.
In the meantime, the men engaged in the Shannon clearing works, attracted by the cries, hastened to the scene in the motor launch. Working under the Killaloe guards, dragging operations were set on foot by a number of willing helpers, and eventually Mr. Dan Mulcahy, diver at the Shannon works, succeeded in recovering the body from a depth of fifteen feet.
Rev. P. O’Sullivan, C.C. and Drs P.J. Holmes and H.V. McKeogh were on the scene of the drowning soon after the occurrence, and when the diver appeared bearing the dead body in his arms there was a demonstration of the deepest grief from all the people present.
When the sad cortege left the home of Annie Noonan the scene was truly poignant, as the stricken father, young sisters, and little brother surrounded her poor remains. It is only a short time since Michael Noonan’s wife died, and to him and his young children heartfelt sympathy is extended in their great bereavement.
Mass for the repose of her soul was offered up in the Parish Church on Wednesday morning, Rev. P. O’Sullivan being celebrant.
It is recalled that about two years ago Lizzie Noonan, sister of Annie, had a miraculous escape from drowning near the same spot. She was actually lying on the bed of the river when brought up by the girl companion who had witnessed her disappearance.
On Wednesday afternoon, when the funeral started for the cemetery, the coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths. The cortege was the largest seen for a long time past, and was representative of all creeds and classes. Interment took place in the family burial ground at St. Flannan’s Killaloe.
To her heartbroken father, sisters and brother, and relatives deepest sympathy is extended in their great bereavement.
Evidence at the Inquest
On Wednesday morning Mr. Patrick Culloo, coroner for East Clare, held an inquest at the Courthouse, Killaloe, touching the death of Miss Noonan.
The following jury were sworn: – Pk. Keane (foreman), John Fitzpatrick, J. Magee, Jas. Kiely, Wm. Ivis, J. McEvoy. Sergt. Shields, Killaloe, represented the garda.
Father’s Identification
The first witness examined was Ml. Noonan, father of the deceased, who identified the remains of his daughter, who was twenty-one years of age. He last saw her alive at 2:30pm.
Companion’s Story of Fatality
Miss Nellie Dwyer, John St., Killaloe, who accompanied the deceased for her swim, said deceased called to her house on July 4, at 3pm., and asked her to go bathing. They left immediately and went as far as the “Jetty” arriving at 3.15. The deceased undressed and entered the water, going out four or five yards. While she was in the water she passed the remark to the witness: “I would like to know how to swim.”
Deceased continued paddling for a while, and the next time witness looked she saw deceased in the water on her side and with her back towards the shore. The deceased put up her left hand and shouted: “Oh, Nellie, I am done.” Witness shouted to Larry Durack, who was swimming further down, about 150 yards away. Durack did not hear her and witness ran and told him the deceased was drowning. Durack and herself immediately returned and there was no trace of the deceased to be found. Durack dived in the spot where deceased was last seen but failed to find any trace of her. Witness then reported the affair to the guards.
Diver Recovers Body
Daniel Mulcahy, diver, employed by the E.S.B., said he arrived on the scene about five o’clock with full diving apparatus. He entered the water in search of deceased and after a search of five minutes he found deceased in a kneeling position in about twenty feet of water. It was about twelve feet from the river bank, but at the particular spot where she was found was a drop of twenty feet. He recovered the body.
Medical Evidence
Dr. H.V. McKeogh, Killaloe, said he visited the scene and was present when the body was recovered. He made a superficial examination of the body, and in his opinion death was due to asphyxia as a result of drowning.
The Verdict
The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally drowned while bathing in the Shannon.
The coroner, on behalf of himself and the jury, expressed his sincere sympathy with the father, brother and sisters of the deceased.
Killaloe-Ballina