Ireland Posthumously Pardons Two Men Executed in 1883

President Michael D. Higgins grants pardons to Sylvester Poff and James Barrett, acknowledging wrongful convictions after 140 years.

Sylvester Poff and James Barrett were executed in 1883 for the murder of Thomas Browne in County Kerry, Ireland.
A recent expert review concluded their convictions were unsafe, prompting the Irish Department of Justice to recommend pardons.
President Higgins signed the pardons at a ceremony attended by descendants and government officials, aiming to bring closure to the families.
The case was marked by unreliable witness testimony and procedural issues, including a 'packed jury' and lack of direct evidence.
This pardon marks only the fourth instance of a historical conviction being overturned in Ireland's history.