During an inspection of the casuals at Strokestown Workhouse, a constable’s attention was drawn to a man who bore a striking resemblance to the description provided in a “Rue and Cry” notice. The notice was related to a man named Naughton, who was being sought in connection with a theft of clothes in Adare, County Limerick. The man at the workhouse identified himself as M`Ginnis and was promptly apprehended before being transported to Roscommon for further investigation.

Subsequently, the owner of the stolen items was summoned to Roscommon. However, it was discovered that M’Ginnis was not the individual they were seeking. Despite sharing many similarities with the suspected thief, there was a significant discrepancy—the color of his hair. M’Ginnis had red hair, a notable contrast to the dark-haired appearance of the alleged perpetrator. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and pitfalls of relying solely on physical resemblance in criminal investigations.

Irish Independent – Monday 19 February 1906