BREAKING: Remains of Harry Gleeson from Tipperary identified in Mountjoy Prison

Harry Gleeson was wrongly hanged for the murder of Moll McCarthy of Marlhill in 1940.

Without any evidence, Harry was accused of her murder and his trial took place at the Central Criminal Court.

It was Harry who found the body of his neighbor Moll, and after reporting it to the police, he found himself accused of her murder.

On February 27, 1941, the trial jury returned a verdict of guilty, with “a strong recommendation for mercy.”

Despite this appeal, Harry was hanged at Mountjoy on April 23, 1941 and buried within the prison grounds.

83 years after Harry Gleeson's wrongful conviction, his remains have now been identified in an unmarked grave at Mountjoy Prison.

Mr. Gleeson's family campaigned for the return of his remains after he was pardoned by President Michael D. Higgins in 2015, the first pardon granted posthumously to someone hanged for murder.

This weekend, the Ministry of Justice informed Mr Gleeson's great-nephew, Kevin Gleeson, that his remains had been positively identified in a burial area of ​​the prison.

Arrangements for a long-delayed homecoming and family funeral can now take place.

The family have long hoped to see Mr Gleeson's remains returned for reburial at his home in Holycross, Co Tipperary.

Harry was hanged after the government rejected a 7,000-signature petition calling for him to be saved from the gallows.

On 1 April 2015, Frances Fitzgerald, then Minister of Justice, announced a formal pardon for Harry Gleeson, which was followed by a posthumous pardon from President Higgins.

Before being hanged, Harry reiterated his innocence to his lawyer, the late McBride.

“The last thing I want to say is that I will pray tomorrow that whoever did it will be found out and that this will all be like an open book. Then I am counting on you to clear my name. I have not no confession to make, only that I didn’t,” were his last words.

Harry's family can finally bring him home to be buried in Tipperary, knowing his name has been unequivocally cleared.

We remember Harry Gleeson and thank everyone who worked tirelessly to clear the name of a truly innocent man.