Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On several occasions over the past number of years I raised here in the House a case of what I regarded as a grave miscarriage of justice. It is now 74 years since Tipperary man Harry Gleeson was hanged for a crime which he always claimed he did not commit. He was defended at the time by the late Minister Seán McBride. His community strongly believed as well that he did not commit that crime. Looking at the transcripts of the case, it is quite clear that there were serious flaws at the time. Harry Gleeson was a relatively young man who was highly respected in the community and was a great GAA activist at that time as well. Books have been written about the case and many have campaigned for him. I am glad to be able to say that I understand he will be pardoned in the near future, but it would be important if the Minister came to the House and made a statement on this case. There are still members of his family, the community, and, indeed, the following generations who are quite familiar with this case. While the pardon is particularly important and welcome, it has to go a step further than that.

The presence of the appropriate Minister in the House would be helpful. I ask the Leader to arrange this in the near future.