Mens Rea: A true crime podcast
Mens Rea is a true crime podcast that delves into the most notorious criminal cases from Ireland and the UK, focusing on the legal principle of 'guilty mind' and the court proceedings that follow. Each episode, hosted by Sinead, presents a new case every fortnight, exploring the details of the crimes and the trials that ensued. The podcast offers a deep dive into the legal and human aspects of these cases, making it a compelling listen for true crime enthusiasts.
Episodes
Listen Now: Lines of Enquiry
For fans of true crime like the loyal and dedicated listeners of Mens Rea, we want to recommend a new Irish series that I think you’ll really appreciate.It’s called Lines of Enquiry, a brand new GoLoud Original hosted by former Garda forensic detective John Sweetman.Across eight episodes, John draws on his decades of experience inside the Garda Technical Bureau to explore some of Ireland’s most fa
Bonus - Tom & Kitty Fitzgerald
This episode was originally published asa Patreon exclusive on 12 Jan 2020.In 2016, shocking news broke that an elderly couple were found dead in their own home in rural Co Mayo, and a younger man was found there too - badly injured. Over the following days, while family friends and the community in Irishtown grappled with the tragic news, it became clear that something very sinister had occurred
Bonus - Satanic Panic in Palmerstown
This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 2 December 2018In this episode we take a look at the little-known so-called "satanic" murder of John Horgan (7) in Palmerstown, Dublin in 1973. John and his family lived in a quiet neighbourhood of 9 houses backing on to a field. It was there that his 16 year old neighbour, Lorcan Bale, took him and struck him in the back of the head,
Bonus - The Mysterious Death of Patrick Nugent
This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 6 Oct 2019In the early hours of the 11th February, 1984, Patrick Nugent died in a car park in front of Bunratty Castle, Co Clare. There had been a party, and Patrick was working in the castle that night. A number of guests were present for the events leading up to Patrick's death, but, none of their stories were consistent with o
Bonus - Tina Cahill & the death of David Walsh
This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 2 June 2019.This is our first bonus episode to take place outside of Ireland, but involves an Irish couple living and working in Australia.Tina Cahill and David 'Motcha' Walsh met in Sydney after they both moved in 2013. Their relationship was turbulent and marked with violent incidents. They got engaged in late 2016, but only months
Bonus - Kilkenny City Cold Cases
This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 5 May 2019.Two women were murdered in the 1980's in Kilkenny. They were unconnected, and unsolved. It would be years before the two murders were "rediscovered" by the Garda Cold Case Unit - the National Serious Crime Review Unit. Appeals for information were made to the public, and now, 30 years on, there have been developments i
Bonus - Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy
This episode was initially released as a Patreon exclusive on 8th Sept 2019In November of 1997, Eileen O'Shaughnessy went to work as normal. She drove a taxi in Galway City, and was one of the few women drivers in the countryBut on the night of the 30th of that month, Eileen's car was found abandoned in the city with blood all over the drivers seat. Her body was found the next day. The case r
Bonus - The Killing of Tom O'Gorman
This episode was first released as a Patreon exclusive on 7th October 2018This is the story of the shocking killing of Tom O'Gorman by his lodger, Sevario Bellante, who suffered from schizophrenia. Bellante had recently been weaned off his medication under medical supervision, and on medical advice to do so, but this would have tragic results. Theme Music: Quinn’s Song: First Dance by Ke
Bonus: Dolores McCrea
This Bonus episode was first published as a "Guilt Trip" episode on Patreon on 7th April 2019. Dolores McCrea married the man that she had met and fallen for while in Secondary School in Donegal. But her husband, Gary, was a controlling man and became abusive. Soon the violence became too much for Dolores and she left Gary, bringing along their four daughters. But often the time after a perso
138 - The Longest Wait for Justice: Nora Sheehan
In 1981, Nora Sheehan went missing from Ballyphehane, Co Cork. She was found dead a week later, and gardai soon had a prime suspect for her murder while investigating another crime. But a series of setbacks meant no trial was held in the case until 2023. This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.********Find us on Facebook or Twitter!With thanks to our supporters on&
137 - A Legacy of Violence: Derek Benson
In the middle of the night on the 13th May, 2000, a flat in Ballymun was set alight. Inside, the body of Derek Benson was found. But his cause of death had nothing to do with the inferno in his bedroom. He had been brutally killed with a blade. The garda investigation into his murder would not only identify his killers, but a litany of abuse and violence that would continue long after the trial ha
Bonus: GT - Kitty Carroll
Kitty Carroll was killed by Michael Murphy in Drogheda in 1983 - he would go on to kill again. This episode was originally posted to Patreon as a bonus episode in March 2022. Hang in there while I continue to try to get back on track with my work schedule.************Find us on Facebook or Twitter!With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonu
136 - David Byrne: Murder in a Dark Corner
In March of 2011, 19 year old David Byrne set out to meet someone near to his home in Drimnagh, Dublin City. Little did he know that he was walking into a trap. A panicked chase was caught on CCTV, but the final attack occurred in a dark corner out of sight of any cameras. Could his killer be identified from the footage?This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.********Find us on&n
135: The Superglue killer: The murder of Julie Tennant
In August 2000, 21 year old Julie Tennant went missing from her home in Ballymena. Her parents searched desperately for her, while RUC officers began a search for her. They eventually identified a man she had last been seen with - but when he heard police were searching his home he went on the run.This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.********Find us on Facebook or&nb
Listen Now: 48 Hours
One of television's most popular true-crime series is now adapted for your ears with the “48 Hours” podcast. Every week, award-winning CBS News correspondents investigate the most intriguing crime and justice cases. Here’s a preview of a new “48 Hours” episode, “The Night ofthe Idaho Student Murders”. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant sits down with family members of Kaylee Goncalves and Xan
134 - A Question of Self Defence: The murder of Leslie Kenny
Just after 10am, on Wednesday the 29th July 2008, shots rang out on a busy residential road in Kilrush, Co Clare. Two men who lived on the street, Leslie Kenny and Brendan O'Sullivan, had exchanged words, and by the end of that interaction, one of them was lying dead in a front garden.This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.********Find us on Facebook or Twitter!Wi
133 - Killer on the Run: The murder of Emer O'Loughlin
If you have any information on the whereabouts of John Griffin, you can contact Gort Garda Station on (091) 636400, the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111 or your local law enforcement agency.In 2005, a caravan caught fire in rural north Clare, Emer O'Loughlin's family were initially relieved to see that it wasn't the one she shared with her partner Shane. But when human remains were found in
132 - Nagged to Kill: The death of Gary Cotter
28 year old mother of one Norma Crotty appeared on her neighbours doorstep early on the morning of January 3rd, 1995. She was in a distressed state, and was holding a shotgun. It was smoking.Norma told her neighbour that she had just shot her husband.This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.********Find us on Facebook or Twitter!With thanks to our supporters on 
131 - For the Love of Money: The murder of Paul Jones
In September of 2019, Paul Jones was found dead in the hallway of his home on Bandon Road, in Cork. The 54 year old had a chequered past, but for the last decade had lived a quiet and pious life, bothering no one. Despite this, he had suffered 25 stab wounds to his side and had been hit in the head with a long, machete-like blade.
Though he had no known quarrels with anyone, there was someone in
130 - Drugs, Death and Butchery: The Deaths of Vincent Costello, Morgan Costello and Damien Monahan
In the early hours of 29th April, 2000, a fire was discovered in an upmarket flat in the seaside resort of Scheveningen, The Hague. Three occupants were found dead in the bathtub - young Irishmen Damien Monahan and Vincent and Morgan Costello.
Was the fire an accident, some sort of gangland hit, or something else altogether?
This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.
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129 - A Battle for Justice: The murder of Brian Fizgerald
In the early hours of 29th November, 2002, 34 year old father of two arrived home from working his shift as the security manager at a popular nightclub in Limerick City.
He was shot to death in his driveway in a suspected gangland killing.
Would gardai be able to find enough evidence to bring members of one of Limerick's most notorious gangs before a court?
This episode was researched and writ
128 - A Questionable Conviction: The Deaths of Margaret and Martin Glynn
On a chilly Sunday morning in December of 1980, Michael Kelly arrived at a neighbours house in a panic. There was a fire in the house he was staying in nearby, and inside were the two elderly siblings who he was there to look after.
Sadly, Margaret and Martin Glynn - siblings in their 80s - were removed from the house and pronounced dead.
But was this a tragic accident, or a malicious act drive
127 - An Unusual Defence: Layla Brennan
In March of 1999, Phillip Colgan and his wife Mary walked into Rathfarnham Garda Station and with a story to tell. It would be his first of many., and it would be up to a jury to decide which was true - and who killed Layla Brennan.
This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.
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126 - Sex, Lies and Videotape: the murder of Gerry McGinley
In August of 2000, Gerry McGinley disappeared from his home near Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. His wife Julie said he had packed up a plastic bag and had taken off.
The police investigation came up with numerous leads. Had Gerry fallen foul of the Real IRA? Or maybe he'd crossed drug dealers? Was his former lover - or indeed her husband - enraged enough to make him run, or worse? It also seemed likel
125 - Murder by Car: Daniel McDonald
In the early hours of 2nd February, 2007, a tragedy occurred on the main street of Arklow, Co Wicklow. A man had been struck by a car and lay dying in the road.
It soon became clear, however, that this was no accident.
But - was it murder?
This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.
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124 - Siobhan Hynes: Murder Most Foul
17 year old Siobhan Hynes went out with friends to the small village of an Cheathru Rua on the night of Sat 5th December 1998. She never made it home.
Siobhan's body was found the following day, on the foreshore of a nearby beach.
How could something like this happen in such a small, isolated community?
This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.
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123 - Death in the Sun: Celine Conroy
In the summer of 2005, Celine Conroy decided to pack up her three kids to spend the summer in Spain alongside her partner Paul Hickey. But rather than a relaxing escape from her life back in Dublin, the holiday ended in horror.
This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.
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122 - Darragh Conroy: The mobile phone murder
On the night of the 11th Nov, 2003, Patricia Conroy frantically searched the small midlands town of Mountmellick for her 14 year old son Darragh. He wasn't answering the new mobile phone he'd just received and he hadn't come home when expected.
Ms Conroy had no idea that hours earlier, Darragh had crossed paths with a schoolmate - 16 year old Darren Goodwin - and her son would not be coming home.
121- For Reasons Unknown: The murder of Kenneth O'Brien
In January of 2016, people started to find body parts wrapped in shopping bags on a stretch of the Grand Canal in Co. Kildare. To gardai, this looked like a gangland hit. But when the remains were identified as 33 year old Kenneth O'Brien, it was quickly determined that he was not known to be involved in anything illegal.
Why was Kenneth O'Brien killed?
This episode was researched and written
120 - Dear Diary: The murder of Alison Shaughnessy
In June of 1991, 21 year old newly-wed Alison Shaughnessy was found lying in a pool of blood at the entrance to her flat in London by her husband John. After a stalled police investigation, two women were arrested and tried for Alison's murder.
But is it possible that what was presented to the court as motive for her murder, gleaned from a 21 year old woman's diary, had pointed police in the wro
119: Missing Mary
Mary Boyle disappeared from a swampy field next her grandparents home in an isolated part of Donegal in 1977. She disappeared without a trace, and her case has become the longest running missing child case in Ireland.
In forty years, the case has seen only one arrest and also has been linked with notorious Scottish child-killer Robert Black, and has drawn the attention of controversial media fig
118 - Raonaid Murray (from the Guilt Trip Archives)
On the night of the 3rd of September 1999, Raonaid Murray was walking home through Dun Laoghaire and Glenageary in South Dublin.
As she took a short cut through a quiet laneway, she was attacked.
Her murder has never been solved.
Research Assistance for this episode by Eileen MacFarlene
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117 - The Burden They Carry: The murder of Marie Kilmartin
In December of 1993, 35 year old Marie Kilmartin got a phone call. Then, she left her house and never returned.
Marie's body was recovered some six months later, in a bog 25 km from her home in Portlaoise. She had been strangled.
Why would anyone want to hurt this friendly, vulnerable woman?
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116 - Tom Clisham's Body
In December of 1997, 53 year old bachelor farmer Tom Clisham was found dead in his cottage in Galway. He hadn't been seen in some time, and his body was in such a bad state no visual identification could be made.
It seemed some sort of fight had occurred in his home - but over what, Gardai had no clue.
Who killed Tom Clisham?
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Introducing - Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper
Here’s a preview of Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper.
Over a single week in February 1942, a depraved serial killer stalked London’s dark and WWII bomb-ravaged streets, hunting for victims in the city’s bars and clubs. But the victims of the so-called Blackout Ripper are now all but forgotten. Using new research from police files, court transcripts and exhaustive genealogical studies, season 2 of
Introducing - The ReWatcher: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Welcome to the Hellmouth Weirdos! Your favourite Morbid hosts Ash and Alaina are branching out from true crime and heading to Sunnydale for the ultimate Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rewatch podcast! Alaina is a Buffy superfan and Ash has never watched a single episode, so whether you’re Team Angel, Team Spike, or have no clue who those people are…they’ve got you covered!
Join them each week as they s
115 - Flawed Relationships: The killing of Julia O'Brien
Before the sun had even risen on the morning of Christmas Eve, 1995 Julia O'Brien was discovered dead on the floor in her home in Drimoleague, Co Cork.
Julia was well known locally, as was her problem with alcohol but no one would have thought that the 46 year married mother of five would die after a severe beating and strangulation.
What had happened?
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114 - Damaged Individuals: The Murder of Patrick Sammon
In June 1997, Patrick Sammon was murdered in his home in Galway in the course of an argument.
What had led to the fight that night would be a story of two very damaged individuals and circumstances one lawyer said were "stranger than fiction".
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Special appearances by CJ and Georgia Bezler (Rottweilers) and Mr B. Bezler of Oklahoma.
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Introducing: American Scandal - Edward Snowden, from Wondery
The terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, took a large toll on America’s sense of security. In the dawn of this new era, Congress moved to take swift action by creating the Patriot Act. The stated goal was to identify and strike back against terrorists, but in practice, the law had much wider-reaching effects.
But everything changed in 2013 when an intelligence contractor named Edward Snowd
From the Archives: Marilyn Rynn: The Shortcut
In December of 1995, 41 year old Marilyn Rynn disappeared after attending her workplace Christmas party. Two weeks later her body was found hidden in bushes at a park near to her home. She had been attacked as she took a shortcut on her journey home.
A combination of cutting edge forensic techniques and old fashioned police work solved her murder 8 months later.
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From the Archives: The Disappearance of Philip Cairns
On Thursday the 26th of October 1986, Philip Cairns left his Ballyroan Road home after eating his lunch. He was headed back to school. But he never made it there. An intensive search followed, but there were no signs of the 13 year old.
A week later, his school bag was found in a nearby laneway, left there by persons unknown. Despite searches of the Rathfarnham area, including rivers, overgrow
From the Archives: The Murder of Manuela Riedo
Three days after arriving in Galway in October of 2007, 17 year old Swiss girl Manuel Riedo was found dead on some marshy ground just outside the city. The investigation into her murder would reveal a series of crimes committed in Galway.
If you have been effected by sexual assault or rape, you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre at https://www.rapecrisishelp.ie/ or ring the 24 hr helpline on 180
From the Archives: The murder of Jill Meagher & the serial sex crimes of Adrian Bayley
On Friday the 22nd September 2012, Jill Meagher left work after a long week and went out for a night on the town in her adopted home of Melbourne, Australia. She spent the evening in a number of bars and pubs with work friends.
But that night, there was a predator out on the streets too. One who had spent nearly a decade in prison for violent assaults and rape, and was still on parole and bail.
Announcement + Bonus: Behind the Mic with Mens Rea
An update on the show for the summer followed by a live session from CrimeCon London 2022 where Sinead goes behind the mic with her true crime podcasting friends!
Thank you to Bob from Twisted Britain; Sarah from Stop the Killing, Conning the Con, Klooghless; and Gemma from Whats Up Doc?!
113 - The Passers-by: The murder of Deirdre Mulcahy
In September of 1989, 19 year old Deirdre Mulcahy was heading out for the night to meet her friends in Midleton, Co Cork. She never returned home. The garda investigation into her killing would last years - the court proceedings, however, would not.
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112 - A Terrible Thing: The murder of Marie Buckley
On 9 November 1970, in the little village of Clonroche, Co Wexford, a young girl went missing. Just a few hours later her body was found dumped in a field not far from her home, and the main street of town.
The only certain thing at the outset of the investigation into 9 year old Marie Buckley's murder was that this terrible thing had been done by someone local.
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111 - Unsolved: The killing of Belinda Pereira
On the 29th of December, 1996, Gardai were called to a flat on Liffey St in Dublin city centre. Inside was the body of 26 year old British-Sri Lankan woman, Belinda Pereira, who was staying in Dublin for just a week. The nature of her trip prompted many inches of tabloid fodder. She had come to Dublin in order to carry out sex work.
But the voyeuristic media attention on Belinda's case did not
110 - Too Little, Too Late: The murder of Amanda Jenkins
Amanda Jenkins was the sort of person who looked for the good in everyone. She was just 27 years old when she was found dead on her bedroom floor.
It had taken very little for the bad to emerge in someone Amanda had loved and trusted.
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109 - No Air: The Murder of Csaba Orsos
On the morning of 26th March, 2013, a car entered the water at Arklow pier. Only one of it's occupants emerged from the freezing, rough water. Was it a terrible accident? Or a plan to murder?
Additional writing, research and editorial support from Eileen MacFarlene
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108 - Bonus: Rebecca French
A burning car was found in a country lane, just outside of Wexford Town in 2009. When emergency services examined it's remaining shell, the body of a woman was found. It was local woman, 30 year old mother of two Rebecca French.
But would there be any justice for Rebecca?
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Introducing: American Hostage
In the series premiere, radio DJ Fred Heckman (Jon Hamm) receives an unexpected call from a listener that turns his life upside down.
Follow American Hostage on Amazon Music, to hear all 8 episodes right now: http://wondery.fm/MR_AmericanHostage
107 - The Day Trip: Bettina Poeschel
On 25th September, 2001, 28 year old German tourist Bettina Poeschel took a train from Dublin to Drogheda, Co Louth. She wanted to visit Newgrange - an ancient monument in the Meath countryside. She decided to make the 10km walk from the town to take in the countryside while there.
But Bettina never made it to Newgrange.
She had disappeared into thin air.
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106 - Unintentional: The murder of Ann Walsh
In August of 2005, 23 year old Ann Walsh was found dead in the grounds of the parish church in Kilrush, Co Clare. Gardai made an arrest shortly after the discovery - Raymond Donovan, Ann's former boyfriend.
Donovan admitted to gardai that he had killed Ann, but denied her murder. Would the jury agree?
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105 - Vendetta: The murder of Tracy Butler
In July of 1993, 17 year old Tracy Butler was set upon and stabbed to death while walking home in what appeared to be a random act of violence. But as gardai began investigating the case, they began unravelling a complicated web of relationships - ones which had turned sour.
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(Please note: I misspoke in this episode a few times and said Ballynatty instead of Ballynanty. My Limerick
104 - Brazen: The murder of Rose Farrelly
57 year old Rose Farrelly was found dead in her own home on the morning of the 15th February 1993. It appeared that the house had been broken into, and then the single woman had been beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled to death.
The trial for Rose's murder was the first in Ireland to use DNA evidence.
But the reason for Rose's murder remains unclear - it appears the answer may be the m
Introducing Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murders
In the era of some of the most heinous serial killers of all time, one murderous family went curiously unnoticed: The McCrarys. Led by a psychopathic patriarch and his cunning son-in-law, this Texas clan roamed the country robbing, kidnapping, and killing up to 20 people, most of them taken from donut shops.
“Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murders” recounts the wild and deeply disturbing stor
103 - A killing at Christmas: The murder of Maire Rankin
On Christmas morning, 2008, 81 year old widow Maire Rankin was not answering the phone. Family members called around to her Newry home to check on her - not only had she been recently ill but it was totally out of character for her to not respond.
When they arrived at the house on the Dublin Road, Maire was found dead on her bedroom floor. The house was a mess, and it appeared that Mrs Rankin
102 - The murder of Colleen Mulder
In 2004, 41 year old mother of 6, Colleen Mulder was found dead in her bed. Quickly, her husband Anton was arrested. Was Anton being abused? Or was he suffering from a mental disorder?
It would take 4 years of court proceedings to decide.
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101 - A Few Days in May
In early May, 1996 - three women were killed violently in their own homes in separate incidents across Ireland. It all occurred in the space of three days.
In fact, 1996 would go on to be the year with the most violent deaths of women in recent history.
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100 - Provocation & the Gay Panic defence
There has been a lot of progress in relation to equal rights and protections for members of the LGBTQ+ in Ireland. However, despite decriminalisation in 1993, and the passage of Marriage Equality in 2015, there is still much to do. In addition to requiring effective hate speech legislation, the defence of provocation does allow a person accused of murder to claim that a romantic or sexual advance
99 - Loose Threads: The murder of Deborah Robinson
In 1980, 19 year old Deborah Robinson took a bus from her home in Belfast down to Dublin for the day. She never returned. Her body was found in ditch in rural Co. Kildare, and launched a huge murder investigation. It looked like the case might go cold after a year went by with no breaks in the case.
But some loose threads lead investigators to a new suspect.
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98 - A Question of Disorder: The murders of Anne & Annie Gillespie
In 1988, Anne Gillespie was 18 years old. She was looking forward to embarking on adult life. There was just one problem - her boyfriend of over three years had begun to behave horribly. She decided to end things. Her boyfriend, 22 year old John Gallagher, decided that if Anne would no longer speak to him, he'd kill her.
John also shot Anne's mother, Annie.
No one could have predicted it, n
Bonus: The Killing of Fr Niall Molloy
In the course of researching the assassination of Veronica Guerin, I came across the mention of files stolen from the offices of the Director of Public Prosecution by Martin Cahill (The General) and his gang. John Traynor told reporter Paul Williams that one in particular, the file relating to the investigation of the death of Fr Niall Molloy, was used in a trade to get him out of charges for re
97 - Part Two: With Impunity
7 years apart, two young and vulnerable teenaged girls went missing - Arlene Arkinson in Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland in 1994 and Hannah Williams in London in 2001.
The similarities in their cases were no coincidence, but would their murderer ever truly face justice?
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Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th & 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. U
97 - Part One: With Impunity
7 years apart, two young and vulnerable teenaged girls went missing - Arlene Arkinson in Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland in 1994 and Hannah Williams in London in 2001.
The similarities in their cases were no coincidence, but would their murderer ever truly face justice?
Part Two of this series is out in one week's time.
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96 - Nicola Furlong: Murder in the Land of the Rising Sun
In May of 2012, Nicola Furlong and her best friend Sarah were enjoying an exciting year on Erasmus in a university in Japan. On the night of the 23rd, the two Wexford girls hit the town to see a Nicki Minaj concert that was on in Tokyo.
But after missing their last train home, their care-free night out would end in disaster.
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95 - Desecration: The murder of Patricia O'Connor
In the summer of 2017, body parts were discovered strewn across the scenic landscape of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Gardai began a wide-scale search and a murder investigation. But only days later a man presented himself at a south Dublin Garda station, confessing to the murder of his 61 year old mother in law, Patricia O'Connor.
But was he telling the whole story?
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94 - Bonus: Serial - Slawomir Gierlowski
In May of 2016, a woman was attacked as she walked to work by a man wielding a knife. In the course of the investigation, the assault was linked to two other crimes - both sexually motivated.
Gardai also linked the crime to a suspect - 31 year old Slawomir Gierlowski.
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Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th and 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk.
93 - Never Forget: The murder of Marioara Rostas
In January 2008, 18 year old Marioara got into a car on Lombard Street in Dublin City centre, where she and some of her family had been begging for change. She was never seen again. During the garda investigation it became clear that this was an unusual crime - a seemingly random act of violence, likely committed by a member of one of Dublin's criminal gangs.
After 6 years, a man went on trial.
92 - No Excuse: The murder of Mary Doogue
In October of 1995, Mary Doogue was beaten to death. She lay in her bed in her cold dark home for 12 hours before she got any medical attention, and died shortly after. Her partner 19 year old Stephen Davis was arrested two days later.
He would tell the court that he had been provoked. Would a jury buy his excuse?
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Resources:Ireland & UK
Women's Aid IE: Call 1800 341 900
91 - Pure Thuggery: The murders of Mariusz Szwajkos & Pawel Kalite
In February of 2008, two Polish men living and working in Drimnagh, South Dublin were killed in a fight outside their home. Both had been stabbed in the head with a screwdriver. It quickly emerged that the fight had involved a group of teenagers.
Would Gardai be able to identify his killer or killers prove their lethal intent?
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Bonus: CrimeConVersations with Mens Rea & Once Upon a Crime
CrimeConVersations is a brand-new True Crime podcast brought to you by CrimeCon UK.
In the lead up to CrimeCon UK in London, CrimeCon UK are bringing two favourite podcasts together to find out more about their fascination with True Crime.
Each episode will explore subjects including how they got involved in True Crime, the cases that have stuck in their mind, the process behind their podcast
90 - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Siobhan McLoughlin
On 28th February 2006, Siobhan McLoughlin was found dead in locked bedroom. At first glance, it looked as if she had tragically taken her own life. But within hours after her death, police and the McLoughlin family felt sure that she had been brutally murdered.
But would the State be able to prove guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt?
Resources:
Ireland & UK Samaritans: Call 116 123 or
89 - The Ordeal: Jennifer Guinness
In April of 1986, three armed men burst into a lavish home in Howth. When they left, they brought with them Jennifer Guinness, mother of three and wife of the head of a merchant bank. A ransom was demanded for her return.
Despite the quick mobilisation of gardai all over Dublin, Jennifer's captor would evade capture for over a week.
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Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th &
88 - Location Unknown: The murder of Meg Walsh
In October of 2006, Meg Walsh went missing. She wasn't at her home, and she didn't turn up for work. The garda investigation that followed revealed that Meg had had some troubling experiences recently in her private life. Her body was found in the river Suir two weeks after she was first reported missing.
But without a crime scene, would it be possible to get justice for Meg?
Join me at Crim
87 - The Murder of Manuela Riedo
Three days after arriving in Galway in October of 2007, 17 year old Swiss girl Manuel Riedo was found dead on some marshy ground just outside the city. The investigation into her murder would reveal a series of crimes committed in Galway.
If you have been effected by sexual assault or rape, you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre at https://www.rapecrisishelp.ie/ or ring the 24 hr helpline on 1
86 - Vengeance: The hunt for Raoul Moat
Raoul Moat was released from a short stint in prison in 2010. In the days that followed he shot three people, including a Northumberland police officer and went on the run in the quiet town of Rothbury.
Police scoured the countryside for this man with murderous intent, a search that ended on the bank of the river Croquet in a six hour stand-off.
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Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13
85 - Monster in the Garage: Patricia Murphy
In May of 1996, a woman's body was found behind a skip in Glasnevin, Dublin city. Late on the 27th, Patricia Murphy had been reported missing from her nearby home.
In order for her family to find justice, however, three of her young children would have to give evidence in court to put the perpetrator away - the monster in the garage.
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This episode was researched and written by Ei
84 - Dark Saga: The murder of Philomena Gillane
In May of 1994, Philomena Gillane was 7 months pregnant. On the morning of Wednesday the 11th, she left her home early to head to work. But she never arrived. She was found dead in the boot of her own car 25 miles away, at Athlone Train station.
Her family would spend the next 3 years in and out of courts dealing with the fallout from her brutal murder, and in a search for justice that was n
83 - The Disappearance of Philip Cairns
On Thursday the 26th of October 1986, Philip Cairns left his Ballyroan Road home after eating his lunch. He was headed back to school. But he never made it there. An intensive search followed, but there were no signs of the 13 year old.
A week later, his school bag was found in a nearby laneway, left there by persons unknown. Despite searches of the Rathfarnham area, including rivers, overgrow
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