President grants State's first posthumous pardon to man hanged for murder almost 75 years ago
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says that she hopes the posthumous pardon granted to the wrongly executed Harry Gleeson would serve as a tribute to his memory.
Mr Gleeson was hanged in 1941 after being convicted of the murder of mother of seven Mary "Moll" McCarthy in Co Tipperary.
However, a review of the case found that gardaí and the prosecution withheld crucial information and fabricated evidence against Mr Gleeson to secure a conviction.
He was granted a posthumous pardon today by President Michael D Higgins, which the Justice Minister says completely clears his name and she hoped that it would serve as a tribute to his memory.
The Minister expressed her sympathy and that of the Government to Mr Gleeson's family and indicated her intention to hold a commemorative event for family members early in the New Year, when she will also give a more detailed explanation of the pardon.
