Monday, June 13th, 2022
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From Danny’s Files: The Tragic Death of Mrs. O’Rourke (1893-1960) of Weatherstown, Glenmore
We recently found a newspaper clipping that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) had in his voluminous files regarding the tragic death of Glenmore native Johanna O’Rourke. Although the Munster Express article covering the inquest of Mrs. O’Rourke’s death in 1960 lists her first name as Brigid, the death register lists her first name as “Johanna.” The family headstone in Glenmore lists her as “Hannah.” We believe that the Munster Express was in error.
Johanna O’Rourke née Purcell (1891-1960)
Thanks to the headstone the deceased’s maiden name was provided, and we were able to find Johanna Purcell’s baptismal record. Johanna was born on 23 October 1891, at Weatherstown, the daughter of Edmund Purcell (c. 1864-1924?) farm labourer, and his wife Mary Cassin (c. 1866 -1943). Edmund Purcell (aged 23) of Forristalstown married Mary Cassin (aged 21) of Weatherstown on 4 October 1887. Johanna’s siblings included: Edmund Purcell (1887); Thomas Purcell (b. 1889); Mary Purcell (b. 1889); James Purcell (b. 1893); William Purcell (b. 1893); Ellen Purcell (b. 1896); Richard Purcell (b. 1898); and Mary Purcell (b. 1899). It appears that there were two sets of twins in this family.
[Correction 13 June 2022–Ann O’Rourke noted that the church records in 1889 reflects the baptism of Thomas, yet the civil record reflects the child’s name is Mary. It is believed that one child was born in 1889. Thomas O’Rourke emmigrated to the United States in 1926].
Johanna Purcell married Patrick O’Rourke (c. 1883- 1970) and the couple had at least two sons and two daughters: Edward O’Rourke; Michael O’Rourke; Bridie O’Rourke (1913-1982); and Eileen O’Rourke (1917-2008).
[Further information per Ann O’Rourke–The Purcell family lived in upper Weatherstown before moving to lower Weatherstown. John Flynn, a blacksmith, moved into the upper Weatherstown house. This information was provided to Ann by Danny Dowling (1927-2021) and Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021).]
The Inquest
The death register provides that “Hannah” O’Rourke of Weatherstown, Glenmore died on the 12th of May 1960 at the County & City Infirmary, John’s Hill, Waterford. An inquest was held by G. A. Nolan, solicitor and Waterford City Coroner, at the Waterford Municipal Library on the evening of the 13th of May.
Hannah O’Rourke’s cause of death was recorded as a coronary thrombosis. Hannah had been in the hospital since the 26th of April. Although she has been in the hospital over two weeks the inquest centred on an accident that Hannah suffered on the 26th of April while riding her bicycle to Glenmore Village.
Most of the information concerning the inquest was found in a Munster Express article (Friday 20 May 1960, p. 10).
Ellen O’Rourke of Weatherstown, Glenmore
The first witness to testify was Ellen O’Rourke, Hannah’s daughter-in-law. Ellen testified that her mother-in-law attended 7:30 a.m. Mass in Glenmore on the 26th of April 1960. About four hours later, she left her home in Weatherstown to go to Glenmore Village setting out on her bicycle. Ellen stated that her mother-in-law was in good health that morning. In the weeks preceding the 26th of April, Ellen testified that her mother-in-law complained of severe headaches and went to a dispensary doctor in Glenmore.
Thomas Murphy of New Ross
The second witness to testify at the inquest was Thomas Murphy, of 21 South St., New Ross. Thomas was a truck driver and stated that at about 11:30 on the 26th of April he passed Glenmore, having rounded a bend on his right, he saw a woman, who was later identified as deceased, coming down a hill toward him on a bicycle.
She was travelling fairly fast. When he first saw her, she was about 20 yards from him…As I looked I saw her wobble on her bicycle. She was on her correct side of the road. The machine was still wobbling as she passed me out. As I looked into the mirror on my truck after she had passed me, I saw her fall off her bicycle on to the roadway.”
Thomas testified that he immediately stopped and went back to her. He found her lying face down with her bicycle on top of her. He spoke to her, but she did not respond. “She was bleeding from her nose and did not move. I went for a priest and doctor.”
When Thomas returned she was still where she fell and was being supported by others who had come along. She was removed to the Waterford Infirmary. Thomas was questioned concerning the road and stated that it was about 16 feet wide where the deceased fell. He opined that she was traveling about 15 miles per hour.
Sergeant James Flynn of Glenmore
Sergeant James Flynn, of Glenmore, was the third witness. He testified that when he visited the scene of the accident Mrs. O’Rourke had been removed to the Infirmary, but her bicycle was still there. On examination he found it to be in fairly good condition and in good running order, with the exception of the rear wheel, which was a bit loose. According to Sergeant Flynn the bicycle was not damaged, the road surface was of tar and was dry. There was no signs of an accident except there was a pool of blood on the road. Sergeant Flynn examined Thomas Murphy’s truck and did not find any marks or evidence that it had been involved in a collision.
Dr. Kevin Hickey of Waterford
The last witness mentioned in the newspaper account was Dr. Kevin Hickey, of Waterford. The deceased was admitted to the Infirmary on the 26th of April after suffering, head, chest and arm injuries sustained when she fell from her bicycle.
Dr. Hickey testified that he was called to the Infirmary on Monday the 8th of May to attend the deceased, who was experiencing pain in her chest and down her arm. She was also shocked.
On examination, he confirmed that her condition was due to a heart attack which he stated had been coming on for some days. In his opinion her death was due to coronary thrombosis. Replying to the Coroner, he stated that the fact that deceased fell off her bicycle would have been a contributory cause to her death.
The Verdict
Sitting with a jury, Coroner Nolan said it was clear from the evidence presented that the deceased had not been involved in an accident with a vehicle. A verdict, in accordance with the medical evidence, that death was caused by coronary thrombosis was returned and recorded by the Coroner. In 1960, notwithstanding the fact that Hannah was in a hospital when she suffered a heart attack little could be done because open heart surgery was in its infancy.
Acknowledgements & Privious Posts
For information on the earliest bicycles in Glenmore see our post of 28 December 2019.
Special thanks to Ann O’Rourke for sharing her memories, photos of her grandparents, further information and corrections.
Please send any corrections or additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is courtesy of the New York City Library, George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Lady’s bicycle (3 speed gear and dynamo lighting).” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 12, 2022.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh