Category: affair

55 – Murder by Arson: The McCann Family

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn affair, Child Victim, Controversial Case, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, IRA/Paramilitary links, Irish Crime, Landmark Case, Life Sentence, Mental Health, murder, murder for profit

In the summer of 1992, the McCann Family endured a series of gas leaks in their home, and a spate of threatening phone calls. These nuisances escalated quickly though, and culminated in a raging fire in their Rathfarnham home. Esther McCann and her foster daughter, Jessica, died in the blaze.

Investigators ruled that this was a case of arson, and gardai quickly discovered that Frank McCann – the grieving father and husband – had some dark secrets.

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52 – Betrayal: The murder of Mary Gough

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn affair, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Irish Crime, Life Sentence, murder, murder for profit

Mary Gough tragically fell down the stairs in her home, only 6 months after her wedding day. Or, at least that’s what her husband, Colin Whelan, said. When Mary was rushed to the hospital after this purported accident, the Gardai did not take him at his word.

His story did not add up, and Colin Whelan was charged with with Mary’s murder. But when Whelan’s car was discovered at the top of Howth Head near the seaside cliffs, people thought that there would be no justice for Mary. 

But they were wrong.

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47 – Family Secrets: The death of Brian McGrath

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn affair, Black Widow, Controversial Case, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Irish Crime, Landmark Case, Mental Health, murder, Women Who Kill

In 1987, Brian McGrath disappeared. His wife, Vera, said he’d gone to Holland to find work. That he was abusive and delusional. But 6 years later, their eldest daughter Veronica told police that her mother, and her fiance at the time, had beaten Brian McGrath to death and buried and burned his body at their home in Coole, Co. Westmeath.

Who murdered Brian McGrath?

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46 – Tipperary Love Triangle: Patrick Quirke & the murder of Mr Moonlight (Part Two)

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn affair, Controversial Case, Intimate Partner Violence, Irish Crime, love triangle, murder, murder for profit

Bobby Ryan was a well known and well loved figure in Tipperary. He was a local DJ, known as Mr moonlight, in addition to his work in the local quarry. He was divorced, with two grown up children and in 2011, he was dating a local widow – Mary Lowry.

On the 3rd of June of that year, Bobby Ryan went missing. 8 years later, it was spark the longest-running criminal trial in the history of the state.

But how did we get here?

Part Two of this two part series on the recent trial and media spectacle dubbed the “Tipperary Love Rival Trial” follows the 15 week long trial from prosecution witnesses to closing arguments, the delivery of the verdict, and what happened after.

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46 – Tipperary Love Triangle: Patrick Quirke & the murder of Mr Moonlight (Part One)

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn affair, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Irish Crime, love triangle, murder for profit

Bobby Ryan was a well known and well loved figure in Tipperary. He was a local DJ, known as Mr moonlight, in addition to his work in the local quarry. He was divorced, with two grown up children and in 2011, he was dating a local widow – Mary Lowry.

On the 3rd of June of that year, Bobby Ryan went missing. 8 years later, it was spark the longest-running criminal trial in the history of the state.

But how did we get here?

Part One of this two part series on the recent trial and media spectacle dubbed the “Tipperary Love Rival Trial” delves into the background of Patrick Quirke, Mary Lowry and Bobby Ryan. The events leading to Mr Ryan’s disappearance, death, and his ultimate discovery in a run off tank on nearby farmlands are detailed in depth.

Continue reading “46 – Tipperary Love Triangle: Patrick Quirke & the murder of Mr Moonlight (Part One)” →