Investigations continue in US to establish identity of mystery man in Cork Prison

INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing in the US State Department in an effort to establish the identity of a 70-year-old man with an American accent in Cork Prison whose identity is unknown.

The unidentified man allegedly had passports in the names of two babies who died within three months of birth in 1952 and 1953.

Detective Garda Padraic Hanley of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation said today that the investigation into the man’s identity was still ongoing through Interpol – the international police network which has 195 member countries.

“Fingerprints are still being examined in different jurisdictions. In Ireland we have enquiries through the Residential Tenancy Borad, the ESB, VHI. Enquiries are ongoing internationally in relation to fingerprints still. A number of addresses in this jurisdiction that may or may not be linked to this gentleman (are being examined),” Det. Garda Hanley said.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, on the ongoing investigations internationally, the detective said, “I know for a fact that investigations are still going on in the US at the moment. I know that through Interpol.” 

Judge Olann Kelleher acceded to the application by Sergeant Pat Lyons to remand the unknown accused in custody for a fortnight. The judge said he had to be satisfied that the prosecution was making reasonable efforts to progress the investigation and that as of now he was so satisfied.

The defendant is prosecuted under the name of Philip Frank Morris. He was remanded in custody until October 24.

“We are at a loss as to who this person is. He has offered us no assistance whatsoever,” the detective said previously One charge states that on September 11 this year at the passport office on South Mall, Cork, he provided information or documents which were false or misleading, in connection with a passport application. 

There are two similar charges referring to an unknown date between September 12 and 25 2012 at the Passport Office on South Mall, Cork and the application for the issue of a passport, and one final, similar charge referring to a different date, June 7 2022.