In a grim turn of events, Limerick found itself at the centre of a maritime tragedy as three Greek sailors faced charges related to the death of English sailor George West. The incident occurred on board the SS Gledhow, where West met his untimely demise as a result of a fatal knife wound to the heart.
The accused, three young men of medium height, presented an intelligent and alert appearance as they stood in the dock at Cork Police Office. Of the trio, Fortonatos, charged with the murder, stood out as the tallest, his demeanour suggesting a certain superiority within his group. District Inspector Maunsell, representing the prosecution, promptly requested the discharge of the other Greeks, a request that was granted, narrowing the focus of the case to Fortonatos.
During the proceedings, the courtroom learned that George West had succumbed to his injuries, a stab wound in the region of the heart, before reaching the Infirmary. When formally charged, Fortonatos tersely responded, “I didn’t do it.” Despite his denial, he was remanded for eight days, setting the stage for a more thorough exploration of the events that transpired on the ill-fated night aboard the SS Gledhow.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally unsettling incident, the Finnish sailor Elias Latvala found himself back in court, facing a charge related to the stabbing death of ship’s carpenter Hermann Johansen. The tragic event unfolded on the night of Sunday, September 18th, aboard the Pennine Range, then docked in Limerick.
The courtroom, now acquainted with sorrow, witnessed a composed Elias Latvala as the sole witness, Captain Robert Mathews of North Shields, took the stand. The captain provided formal evidence of Latvala’s presence as part of the crew on the night Johansen met his demise. Despite the captain’s testimony, Latvala, upon arrest in Limerick, vehemently denied being part of the crew.
As the proceedings unfolded, the captain’s narrative shed light on the events leading to Johansen’s tragic end. The Finnish sailor, seemingly unaffected, followed the evidence with composure, leaving an air of mystery surrounding the circumstances of the stabbing.
In a legal twist, Latvala, like Fortonatos, found himself remanded for eight days, extending the judicial process and allowing for further examination of the case. The two cases, involving the deaths of sailors in Limerick within a short span, have cast a sombre shadow over the city, prompting questions about the safety and security aboard vessels docked in its ports.
The authorities are now tasked with unravelling the intricacies of these maritime tragedies, determining the culpability of the accused sailors, and seeking justice for the lives lost. As Limerick grapples with the aftermath of these shocking events, the maritime community, both locally and internationally, watches closely, awaiting the outcome of the investigations.
The city, known for its rich history and vibrant culture, finds itself thrust into an unexpected spotlight as it becomes the backdrop for these unfortunate incidents. The courtrooms in Limerick and Cork will be the stages where the truth behind these maritime tragedies is sought, as the legal process unfolds, and the accused sailors await their fate.
Dublin Daily Express – Friday 07 October 1910
