Mens Rea: A true crime podcast - podcast cover

Mens Rea: A true crime podcast

Mens Rea is the legal principle of intent that must be proved in a number of crimes, such as murder. It means literally, "guilty mind". Mens Rea Podcast explores the most notorious crimes from Ireland and the UK and the court cases that followed. Join your host, Sinead, every fortnight when a new case is discussed.
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Episodes

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 figures. But, through all that, Mary is still missing, and her mother still prays daily to know what happ...

Jan 16, 202340 min

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 ********* Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store! ********* With thanks to our spons...

Nov 21, 202228 min

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? ********* Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store! ********* Theme Music: Quinn’...

Nov 08, 202241 min

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? ********* Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Check out the Mens Rea Merch S...

Oct 24, 202252 min

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 Hallie Rubenhold’s Bad Women reconstructs the lives of the women The Blackout Ripper brutally attacked...

Oct 18, 202216 min

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 slay their way through the series, episode by episode, re-watching, and watching for the very first ti...

Oct 05, 20225 min

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? ********* Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Che...

Sep 26, 202243 min

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". ********* Special appearances by CJ and Georgia Bezler (Rottweilers) and Mr B. Bezler of Oklahoma. ********* 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! ...

Sep 12, 202249 min

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 Snowden decided to expose the truth, leaking more classified documents than any whistleblower in American h...

Sep 01, 20226 min

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. ********* Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free epi...

Aug 29, 202240 min

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, overgrown areas, large parklands and in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, there was no further sign of the ...

Aug 15, 20221 hr 4 min

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 1800 778888. To donate to the Rape Crisis Network, head to https://www.rcni.ie/donate/ ********* Find us ...

Aug 01, 20221 hr 1 min

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. Because of him, Jill would never make it home that night. Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks ...

Jul 18, 20221 hr 15 min

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?!

Jul 08, 202247 min

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. ********* With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Get 40% off your premium subscription for the #1 mental wellness app at calm.com/mens Go grab your trial of Noom – the habit changing app for a healthier you! Find it at noom.com/mensrea *******...

Jun 10, 202245 min

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. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for 10% off (and to let ...

May 24, 20221 hr 6 min

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 last long. Sadly, today, her name is all but forgotten. ************ Join me at CrimeCon Uk on June 11-...

May 16, 202238 min

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. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for 10% off (and to let them know I sent you!) ********* With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Get 40% off your premium subscription for the #1 me...

Apr 26, 202242 min

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 ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for 10% off (and to let them know I sent you!) ********* With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Sign up for professi...

Apr 11, 20221 hr 3 min

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? ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for 10% off (and to let them know I sent you!) ********** With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Sign up for ...

Mar 21, 202245 min

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

Mar 08, 20224 min

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. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for 10% off (and to let them kn...

Mar 01, 20221 hr 9 min

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? ******** Join me at CrimeCon Uk on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for 10% off (and to let them know I sent you!) ******** With thanks to our sponsors for...

Feb 16, 202259 min

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. ******** (Please note: I misspoke in this episode a few times and said Ballynatty instead of Ballynanty. My Limerick-knowledge is severely lacking in general, and was definitely guilty of being a Dubliner making fun of Limer...

Jan 31, 20221 hr 10 min

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 most frightening of all. He did it because he could. ********** Join me at CrimeCon Uk on June 11-12 in Lond...

Jan 17, 20221 hr 14 min

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 story of an unhinged American family and the terrible brutality they unleashed. The podcast features the t...

Jan 04, 20225 min

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 had been subjected to a violent assault of a sexual nature. No one expected it when Maire's 42 year old ...

Dec 16, 20211 hr 12 min

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. ********** With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Try the casual mobile puzzle game Best Fiends today! Find it on the Apple App store and Google Play! Check out the fastest VPN on the market at nordVPN.com/mensrea and use the code MENSREA for an awesome ...

Nov 30, 202156 min

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. ********** Featured podcast - Making of a Detective ********** With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Try the casual mobile puzzle game Best Fiends today! Find it on the Apple App store and Google Play! Check out the global leader in mens ...

Nov 16, 202150 min

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 by an LGBTQ+ person resulted in a loss of control leading to the killing of that person. In this epi...

Oct 24, 202157 min
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