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. ********* With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Try the casual mobile puzzle game Best Fiends today! Find it on the Apple App store...
Oct 17, 2021•1 hr 6 min
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, nor could they have known about the 24 years the two families would spend in and out of court. ******** With...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 11 min
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 receiving stolen goods. Why in the world was this file so important? I had to know. And so this week, we...
Sep 10, 2021•40 min
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? ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th & 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket with the code and get in touch to get a free Mens Rea T-S...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min
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. ********** With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Sign up for professional online counselling at betterhelp.com/mens and get 10% off your first month! Try the casual mobile p...
Aug 16, 2021•58 min
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. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th & 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit .co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket with t...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min
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? ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th & 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 36 min
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. ********** Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th and 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket with the code and get in touch to get a free Mens Rea T-S...
Jun 19, 2021•42 min
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. But would there be justice for Marioara? ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th and 26th 2...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 3 min
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? ********* Resources:Ireland & UK Women's Aid IE: Call 1800 341 900 Refuge UK: 0808 2000 247 ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th & 26th 2021. For more information...
May 18, 2021•50 min
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? ******** Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th and 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 4 min
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 and what they think makes a great true crime show In the first episode of the series, you'll hear from E...
Apr 21, 2021•44 min
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 text 50808 Women's Aid IE: Call 1800 341 900 Refuge UK: 0808 2000 247 USA National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:...
Apr 20, 2021•1 hr 14 min
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. ******** Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th & 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase ...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 22 min
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 CrimeCon UK on September 25th and 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the co...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 12 min
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 1800 778888. To donate to the Rape Crisis Network, head to https://www.rcni.ie/donate/ ********* Join me ...
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr 6 min
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. ********** Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchas...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 6 min
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. ********** This episode was researched and written by Eileen MacFarlene of the Crimelapse podcast. ********** Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2021. For more ...
Feb 07, 2021•47 min
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 never fully achieved. Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2021. For more information and tickets visit c...
Jan 24, 2021•1 hr 25 min
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, overgrown areas, large parklands and in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, there was no further sign of the ...
Jan 10, 2021•1 hr 8 min
On Saturday, September 9th 2017, a group of women were celebrating a 25th birthday in a house in Rhyl, Wales. Tyler Denton was hosting the party for her new girlfriend Hayley Barnett. It was supposed to be a girls night but Tylers room mate Redvers James Bickley had crashed the party. None of the young women could have predicted that by the end of the night one of them would be dead, and 3 others would be seriously injured. ********* Today's episode was researched and written by Eileen MacFarlen...
Dec 20, 2020•50 min
In October of 2012, 30 year old Aoife Phelan went missing without a trace. Aoife had simply left a friends house and vanished with no sign of what might become of her. A garda investigation began to find the woman who had told hr family she was 4 months pregnant. It would be a long two weeks before police discovered what had become of her. ************ Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ...
Dec 06, 2020•56 min
In the early hours New Year's day, 2014 Wayne McQuillan stumbled out of a house in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda Co Louth. He was covered in blood. Paula Farrell, his partner would face trial for his murder three times. But did she have a defence? ******** Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2020. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket with the code and get in touch to get a free Mens Rea T-Shirt (limited to first 10 listeners wh...
Nov 22, 2020•49 min
In February of 1996, 16 year old James Healy was found brutally beaten in a field near his home in Tralee. It wouldn't be long before gardai zeroed in on their prime suspect - a 25 year old man diagnosed with anti social personality disorder. In fact, police feared that he would one day murder. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2020. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket with the code and get in touch to get a fr...
Nov 09, 2020•53 min
In January of 1996, 69 year old bachelor farmer Paddy Daly went missing from his home just outside Killarney in Co. Kerry. His family told the press and the police that they were baffled as to what had become of him. Six days later, Paddy's body was found in a well on the family farm, covered in stones and sand. He had been beaten to death. Two members of his family were charged with his murder. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2020. For more information and tickets visit crimeco...
Oct 25, 2020•58 min
In May of 2003, family members discovered the body of Georgina Eager in the bedroom of her flat. The knife used to kill her was still protruding from her neck. A man was arrested shortly after in London, who admitted to killing the 28 year old receptionist. This would lead to a prosecution for murder in London, the first case of a crime committed in Ireland being tried in the United Kingdom under an obscure law dating from 1861, avoiding the lengthy extradition process. ******** Join me at Crime...
Oct 13, 2020•55 min
Just before Christmas 1994, Patch O'Driscoll went missing from his bedsit in Cork City. When the garda investigation began into his missing persons case, it was discovered two other men had also disappeared from the very same house on Wellington Terrace. Though there was no evidence of a crime scene inside the large dilapidated building, the cause was certainly within. But there would be few answers and no justice in the case. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 12-13th 2021. For more infor...
Sep 29, 2020•1 hr 8 min
In May of 1991, the bodies of Lesley Clarke and Trevor Buchanan were discovered in a fume filled car, parked in Lesley's deceased father's garage. The deaths were ruled a tragic double suicide - probably the result of the affair that Lesley and Trevor's spouses were carrying on together. But 18 years later, a startling confession would launch a renewed investigation into the deaths, this time as a case of murder. The prime suspects were the victim's spouses - Colin Howell and Hazel Buchanan. ***...
Sep 13, 2020•1 hr 8 min
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. ********* Sign up for professional online counselling at betterhelp.com/mensrea and get 10% off your first month! Get $20 off your fert...
Aug 17, 2020•40 min
22 year old Rachel Kiely left home in Ballincollig, Co. Cork with her two dogs on the afternoon of the 26th of October 2000. Her dogs returned to the house, but she didn't. A few hours later, her body was discovered hidden in undergrowth at the local park. The person responsible would spend the next two decades in and out of court. ******** Thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode: Sign up for professional online counselling at betterhelp.com/mensrea and get 10% off your first month! Get $20 o...
Aug 02, 2020•48 min
