President Higgins signs pardon for man hanged for murder

President Michael D. Higgins has signed a warrant granting a posthumous pardon to a man who was convicted of murder and executed in 1882.

The Government had recommended that he exercise his right to pardon under article 13.6 of the Constitution in respect of Myles Joyce.

My Joyce was one of ten men arrested and charged in August 1882 in connection with the murders of five members of the same family in Maamtrasna. He and two others were hanged for the crime in December 1882.

Shortly before their executions, the other two men admitted separately that they were in fact guilty but that Mr Joyce was innocent. This admission was insufficient to postpone or revoke the execution.

Five presidential pardons have been awarded since 1937, but this is the first for a case which occurred before the foundation of the State.