In a sombre turn of events, a coroner’s inquest was held yesterday at the Morgue, shedding light on the mysterious death of a woman identified as Sarah McTiernan, whose lifeless body was discovered in the Grand Canal last Thursday. Dr Louis Byrne presided over the inquiry, aiming to unravel the circumstances of this tragic incident.
Margaret Guinan, residing at 73 Rialto Cottages, took the stand as she confirmed that the deceased was her sister, Sarah McTiernan. Unmarried and 44 years old, Sarah had been employed as a companion by Miss Butler of 11 Park, Terenure. Guinan recounted that she last saw her sister alive on November 22nd when Sarah left her residence to fulfil her duties with Miss Butler.
Miss Butler, residing at 11 Ashfield Park, shared her testimony regarding Sarah’s employment as a companion from the 22nd to the 23rd of November. According to Butler, on the fateful evening, Sarah left the house around 6 o’clock to post a letter and never returned. Butler expressed that Sarah seemed to be in good spirits when leaving, asking about the potential dangers of the nearby canal and its distance from the house. The canal, approximately a 20-minute walk away, was presumed to be part of Sarah’s route to visit her brother.
Despite having received positive references from a curate in Limerick, Sarah had mentioned suffering from a loss of memory. This revelation added a layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about whether her memory lapses played a role in the tragic events that unfolded.
The subsequent testimony delved into the discovery of Sarah McTiernan’s body in the canal. Dr Maughan, a practitioner from High Street, expressed his professional opinion that the cause of death was asphyxia, resulting from drowning. However, the body’s advanced state of decomposition complicated the investigation, leaving no visible signs of violence.
A juror brought attention to the weather conditions on the 23rd of the previous month, noting that it was a foggy day. The Coroner acknowledged this observation, suggesting that the adverse weather conditions might have contributed to Sarah McTiernan losing her way.
Inspector Mockler, overseeing the case, provided additional details and context as the inquest unfolded. Despite the efforts to uncover the truth, the circumstances of Sarah McTiernan’s death remained shrouded in mystery.
In a poignant turn, the coroner and the jury reached an open verdict of “found drowned,” leaving room for further investigation into the perplexing circumstances leading to Sarah McTiernan’s tragic end. The open verdict reflected the uncertainties surrounding the case and acknowledged the various factors, including the foggy weather, Sarah’s memory issues, and the absence of any evident foul play.
Inspector Mockler retained charge of the case, hinting at the possibility of ongoing efforts to delve deeper into the details surrounding the Limerick native’s untimely demise. As the community grapples with the loss and the lingering questions, the canal mystery continues to cast a shadow over the otherwise serene landscape of Limerick, Ireland.
Dublin Daily Express – Saturday 17 December 1910
