An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has launched A Cry in the Morning – The Global Search for Sanotic Koniste written by Senator John Gilmore. As the Taoiseach was late for the event, Senator Mary Louise O’Donnell said a few words before introducing John Gilroy to the audience.
Fine Gael and Labour were delighted to combine forces for this event which took place in the private members’ restaurant in Leinster House on July 18th 2013.

The book tells the story of the murder of Sanotic Koniste, the Japanese servant on the Clifton Lodge Estate near Athboy in Co. Mayo. He met a lonely death, ten thousand miles from his home in 1913. Having grown up at a seaport in Japan, lived through an Alaskan winter, survived after being abandoned to die in the American wilderness and after having hunted lions on the African plains, Athboy was as unlikely a place for him to meet his death as he could have imagined.
But murder was not the final insult to Sanotic Koniste. Civil wars, earthquakes, American bombing raids and volcanoes all conspired to make sure that even his name would be erased from the pages of history.
John Gilroy searched all four corners of the globe – Japan, WashingtonState and Botswana to piece together this murder mystery and present it to a modern audience.
Fiach MacConghail, Director of the Abbey Theatre said that John Gilmore: “has written a fascinating story, wonderfully researched. Well worth a read.”
Senator John Gilroy received media attention in the days following the launch – giving attention, publicity and praise for the book and the research that he undertook. However, the focus has been on the Fine Gael Leader launching the book instead of the Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore. Mr Gilmore and Pat Rabbitte did not attend the launch but other members of the Labour Party did and praised the Senator. John Gilroy did not want the event to be a political matter.

The book was produced by us here in Cork and the author was delighted with the service. “Frank and the staff at Lettertec provided an excellent service. The quality of my book was exceptional, everyone commented on this – it certainly helped increase sales. The turn around time was fantastic as well, friendly staff, professional service, I’m delighted.

Senator John Gilroy on the left, Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the middle and Lettertec Director Frank Kelly on the right.