MISTAKEN IDENTIFICATION

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 17, 20 July 1921, Page 9

MISTAKEN IDENTIFICATION

A remarkable case o! mistaken identification was disclosed at tho military inquiry into the deaths in connection with the burning of tho Dublin Custom House in May. Mrs. Bridgett Kelly identified one of tho bodies at tho George V. Hospital mortuary as that of her husband. At the inquiry she stated that she had made a mistake. The following crossexamination by the President of the Court took place: Tho President: At th© time you were convinced he was your husband? Witneas: Ye». He is still very like my husband.

You had made the funeral arrangements, I am told?— Yes.

And you h»d got black? —Yen. I had bought a black habit and a shirt for the body. It is now on tho body. Witness added that she had not drawn her husband's insurance money. How did you inako the mistake I —A man told me my husband was lying bayoneted in tho street, and. after that I went to King George's Hospital and saw the bodies. She added that she did not know tho man who told her. She proceeded: About an hour before I was going to put tho corpso into the mortuary I got a letter from Arbour Hill Prison.

From your husband? —From my husband, to send on a pipe and tobacco. Did you go to Arbour Hill?—I immediately went to Arbour Hill. I asked tho corporal to take in a plain sheet of notepaper to the prisoner called Jamos Kelly, and ask him to write the names of the children and their ages.

That paper was brought back with tho names in correct order ? —Yes, in: correct order.

Did you tell the police then ? —I nest wont.to the Castle to sco if I could get a permit to see him. Witness went on to' explain that she got a permit at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, and went, to Arbour Hill Prison and saw her husband, and was speaking to him. She was positive ho was her husband. Afterwards she went to Stono-street Police Station and told tho polico of her mistake. "He was really like my husband," she repeated. You don't If now who this man is ?—No.' President: Very well, Mrs. Kelly, I am very glad you are mistaken.

Witness: Yes. It is alj over now, sir ? President: Yes, thank you.