A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday, April 10, 1937, at a disused quarry hole off Sundrive Road, Kimmage, Dublin, where the bodies of two men were recovered under extraordinary circumstances. The quarry, known locally as “The Ramparts,” became the site of an unexpected double drowning, leaving the community stunned.

Young Man’s Final Moments Witnessed by Girls

At approximately 4 p.m., two teenage girls, Lily O’Callaghan of Clonmacnoise Road and Nellie Houston of Ferns Road, Crumlin, were taking a shortcut to Dolphin’s Barn that led them past the quarry. They noticed a young man, later identified as William Mooney (27) of Emerald Terrace, Cork Street, sitting near the water’s edge. As they approached, the man suddenly leapt into the water.

“We saw him struggling,” O’Callaghan recounted. “He came up three times, and each time we saw bubbles on the surface. We were frightened and screamed.” Their cries attracted nearby workers, who promptly summoned the Gardaí. Tragically, Mooney drowned before help could reach him.

Discovery of a Second Body

As search operations for Mooney commenced, another unexpected tragedy came to light. While dragging the water, a local plumber, Mr. W. Coyle of Lismore Road, noticed an object floating on the opposite side of the quarry. Using a garden rake, he retrieved the body of an elderly man. The man, later identified as Richard O’Connor (70-80), an old age pensioner from Golden Lane, had apparently been in the water for several days. O’Connor was last seen a week earlier and had previously fallen into the canal at Inchicore on March 30, where he was rescued by passers-by.

Identifications and Inquests

The bodies were taken to Londonbridge Road Morgue, where inquests confirmed the causes of death as asphyxia due to drowning. William Mooney’s brother, Patrick, identified his body and noted that William had been suffering from nervous issues. A small crucifix was found in his pocket, but no further clues indicated his reasons for jumping into the water.

In O’Connor’s case, Mrs. Elizabeth Doran of Grand Canal, Crumlin, provided testimony. She had given O’Connor dry clothes after his earlier canal mishap. He left her home, stating he would visit Dolphin’s Barn Chapel but never returned. A prayer book found in his trench coat pocket bore the inscription “Brunswick Street,” hinting at his spiritual inclinations.

Community Shock and Mourning

The incident left the Kimmage community deeply shaken. The tragic and unexpected nature of the events highlighted the dangers of the disused quarry, which held water as deep as 20 feet. Locals and Gardaí worked tirelessly to retrieve the bodies, with Sergeant O’Donnell and Garda McKee overseeing the operation.

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