Harriet King Meara was standing near Finns Corner when she stepped off the footpath to cross over to the Grand Parade. Unfortunately for the elderly lady, four lorries of Auxiliaries were hurtling up Great Georges Street (today's Washington Street) and as they rounded the corner onto the Grand Parade they proceeded to knock her down.
Harriet Meara was taken to the Mercy Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The unfortunate lady had a severe wound to the back of her head. She was identified in the hospital by Dean Babbington of St Fin Barre's Cathedral as one of his congregation.
Harriet Meara lived with her sister at Wellington Avenue off College Road and was a familiar fixture at St Fin Barre's where she would help out and sing with the choir.
In a military court of inquiry following Harriet's death the driver of the Crossly Tender which knocked down the elderly lady proclaimed it was impossible to avoid her. The court declared Harriet's death an accident.
Singers Corner & Finns Corner, early 20th century
The four military lorries had been speeding into Cork city from Macroom carrying members of the notorious C Company of the Auxilary Division based in Macroom Castle.
Military vehicles knocking down pedestrians had become a common aspect on the streets of Cork during the War of Independence. Harriet King Meara was not the first and neither was she to be the last unfortunate person killed by a speeding crossly tender on the streets of Cork.
1940s Finns Corner
Today's Singers Corner - Finn's Corner.
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