Anniversary of birth of Irish hero Daniel O’Connell rekindles mystery of missing heart

250th celebrations renew interest in searching for organ that disappeared from college in Rome

On his deathbed Daniel O’Connell, the man known in his time as “the Liberator” of Ireland, made a request: “My body to Ireland, my heart to Rome and my soul to heaven.”

On Wednesday Ireland marked the 250th anniversary of his birth with speeches and pomp and a nagging question: where is the heart?