A man who was executed for murder in 1941 is to receive a posthumous pardon.

Harry Gleeson was charged, tried and convicted for the murder of Mary 'Moll' McCarthy in 1940, and sentenced to death by hanging.

However, new evidence uncovered has resulted in the first posthumous pardon in the history of the state.

The Irish Innocence Project has found that the prosecution withheld information that showed a discrepancy in their case relating to a gun register.

It also showed that gardaí encouraged witnesses to submit false statements, and that they beat a witness during questioning.

David Langwallner, director and founder of the Irish Innocence Project said: "Nothing can adequately comfort those who have fought to exonerate Harry Gleeson but this posthumous pardon and the clearing of the good name of Mr Gleeson is a proud moment for everyone involved."

Having reviewed the trial transcripts and exhibits, which they got from the National Archives, the Irish Innocence Project sought the pardon under Section 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Mr Langwallner worked on the case in conjunction with Griffith College, Dublin.

Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, president of Griffith College, said: "This case was a tragic miscarriage of justice and the hanging of Mr Gleeson for a murder he never committed is a dark stain on the memory of the state."

"However his posthumous pardon shows that justice is not blind to injustice," he added.