Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the position in relation to efforts to pardon a person (details supplied) who was wrongly hanged in 1895; if she will prioritise the continuation of the process already underway in order that the person will be pardoned; if closure can be given to their relatives; if she will provide an updated timeline regarding the future process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51636/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a local group gathered a considerable amount of material relating to this case, and I know the Deputy has taken a very close interest in this application.
As the Deputy will also be aware, in early 2020, the then Minister for Justice and Equality engaged an expert on nineteenth century trial law in Ireland for their expert opinion on the safety, or otherwise, of the conviction. The report includes a detailed consideration of the murder and trial and its aftermath. It also considers the prevailing standards and procedures in nineteenth century Irish trials.
It is my Department’s intention to bring a memorandum to Government in the near future and I will update the Deputy directly thereafter.
