Irish man presumed dead is found alive

An Irishman whose identity has been a mystery for the last eight years has been given back his name, after his son recognised his father following television appeals for help.

Since he was found suffering a brain injury in Oldham near Manchester in May 2000, 71-year-old John Delaney had been unable to remember who he was or communicate effectively with care workers.

The only real clues were in his accent and the limited number of words that he used.

He spoke of Tipperary, and also made references to boxing.

Oldham Social Services gave him the name David Harrison, and after a change in the law this year permitted RTÉ and BBC television to film the man and issue public appeals in the hope that he might be finally identified.

John Renehan from Didsbury near Manchester was watching BBC television earlier this year when he got the most incredible shock.

Five years earlier Mr Renehan and his family had cremated the man they believed was their father, after a coroner ruled that a body found in the grounds of Manchester Royal Infirmary hospital was that of Mr Delaney, who had disappeared from a hostel in April 2000.

But as Mr Renehan watched the television appeal, he recognised the man known as David Harrison as his father - Mr Delaney.

A DNA test has now confirmed that the man with amnesia is Mr Delaney.

It is understood that John Delaney is originally from Co Laois and left Ireland in the 1960s.

His family in Manchester are now coming to terms with the fact that the man they thought was dead was actually in a care home for the last eight years.

Oldham Social Services has expressed its delight that Mr Delaney has been reunited with his family 'as a result of the dedication and hard work on the part of all the agencies involved'.

Meanwhile, police inquiries are now taking place to try and establish the identity of the man wrongly identified as Mr Delaney who was cremated five years ago.

A new inquest is likely to be held.