Mens Rea Podcast

31/05/2024

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 had concluded....

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 […]

07/05/2024

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. 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. Kitty Carroll was killed by Michael Murphy in Drogheda in 1983 – he would go on to kill again.  Music: Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song […]

29/02/2024

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?...

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. […]

29/02/2024

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?

24/01/2024

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....

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...

19/09/2023

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....

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 episod...

11/09/2023

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....

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 relie...

28/08/2023

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....

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 Aile...

22/08/2023

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....

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 …

07/08/2023

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....

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, o...

24/07/2023

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?...

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 member...

10/07/2023

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 driven by greed?

10/07/2023

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....

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 …

03/07/2023

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....

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 …

22/06/2023

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?...

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...

05/06/2023

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....

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 …

22/05/2023

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....

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 …

01/05/2023

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....

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. Find us on F...

24/04/2023

03/04/2023

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....

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...

21/03/2023

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?...

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 …

06/03/2023

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 wrong direction?...

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 cou...

16/01/2023

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....

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 ...

21/11/2022

118 - Raonaid Murray (from the Guilt Trip Archives)

In Sept 1999, 17 year old Raonaid Murray was walking home at night in her leafy, south Dublin suburb. She was violently attacked and left for dead not far from home.

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 by Eileen MacFarlene Find us on Facebook or Twi...

08/11/2022

117 - The Burden They Carry: The murder of Marie Kilmartin

35 year old Marie went missing from her Portlaoise home in Dec of 1993. Her body would eventually be found in boglands, but would her murderer?

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 ...

24/10/2022

116 - Tom Clisham's Body

53 year old Tom hadn't been seen around for a while, and when his body was discovered he was unrecognisable. A fight had occurred in his cottage. But over what?

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 …

26/09/2022

115- Flawed Relationships: The killing of Julia O'Brien

Julia's problem with alcohol was well known, but no one thought it might lead to her being beaten and strangled to death in her own home.

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 …

12/09/2022

114- Damaged Individuals: The murder of Patrick Sammon

A Story stranger than fiction....

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 (Rottwe...

11/06/2022

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....

https://mensreapod.com/2022/06/11/113-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: Ge...

24/05/2022

112 - A Terrible Thing: The murder of Marie Buckley

A small village is put under a microscope after the killing of a 9 yr old girl in 1970



https://mensreapod.com/2022/05/24/112-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 …