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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Theme Music:

Quinn’s Song: The Dance Begins Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Additional Music:   Allemande (Sting) by Wahneta Meixsell. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


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Howard tries to stop inquest into murdered schoolgirl Arlene https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/howard-tries-to-stop-inquest-into-murdered-schoolgirl-arlene-28714282.html

Donna Deeney How much more pain can murdered schoolgirl’s family take? https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/how-much-more-pain-can-murdered-schoolgirls-family-take-28723511.html8 march 2012

flat search in missing girl probe https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/flat-searched-in-missing-girl-probe-28865105.html17 sept 2012

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https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sisters-relief-at-arlene-inquest-29118071.html

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https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/coroner-to-view-arlene-police-file-29895464.html

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Arlene Arkinson murder investigation finds blood traces from two other females https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-murder-investigation-finds-blood-traces-from-two-other-females-30508712.html 14 August 2014

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Missign girl files plea rejected https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/missing-girl-files-plea-rejected-31361583.html8 july 2015

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‘Child killer ‘seen carrying spade near forest’ after missing Arlene vanished” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/child-killer-seen-carrying-spade-near-forest-after-missing-arlene-vanished-34482084.html(24 February 2016)

“Friend of Arlene Arkinson murder suspect tells inquest he was police informant” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/friend-of-arlene-arkinson-murder-suspect-tells-inquest-he-was-police-informant-34485353.html(25 February 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson: Witness tells inquest police told her Howard was informer” from BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-35661291(25 February 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson inquest witness threatens to ‘do myself in’” in The Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-inquest-witness-threatens-to-do-myself-in-34497992.html(29 February 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson suspect ‘confessed to killing child’” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/arlene-arkinson-suspect-confessed-to-killing-child-34505083.html(2 March 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson’s sister calims police didn’t give disappearance credence” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinsons-sister-claims-police-didnt-give-disappearance-credence-34506027.html(2 March 2016)

“Child killer Robert Howard compared to Pied Piper at inquest for murdered Arlene” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/child-killer-robert-howard-compared-to-pied-piper-at-inquest-for-murdered-arlene-34508501.html(3 March 2016)

“Police officer believed killer Robert Howard ‘was tlaking about Arlene Arkinson’” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-officer-believed-killer-robert-howard-was-talking-about-arlene-arkinson-34518031.html(7 March 2016)

‘Robert Howard said he would get away with murder, Arlene Arkinson inquest told” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/robert-howard-said-he-would-get-away-with-murder-arlene-arkinson-inquest-told-34522069.html(8 March 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson inquest: Woman describes attack by Robert Howard” from BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-35786087(11 March 2016)

“Robert Howard tried to rape me during hide-and-seek, woman tells Arlene inquest” in The Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/robert-howard-tried-to-rape-me-during-hide-and-seek-woman-tells-arlene-inquest-34531757.html(11 March 2016)

“Child killer Robert Howard was ‘an evil charmer’, Arlene Arkinson inquest told” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/child-killer-robert-howard-was-an-evil-charmer-arlene-arkinson-inquest-told-34538140.html(14 March 2016)

“Sister of Arlene Arkinson walks out of inquest as ex-detective gives evidence” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sister-of-arlene-arkinson-walks-out-of-inquest-as-ex-detective-gives-evidence-34542897.html(15 March 2016)

Lesley-Anne McKeown, “Arlene probe not haphazard, ex-cop insists at inquest” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-probe-not-haphazard-ex-cop-insists-at-inquest-34546929.html(17 March 2016)

“Detective in Arlene Arkinson inquiry ‘put notes through a shredder’” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/detective-in-arlene-arkinson-inquiry-put-notes-through-a-shredder-34553533.html(18 March 2016)

“Police documents search prompts further delays in Arlene Arkinson inquest” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-documents-search-prompts-further-delays-in-arlene-arkinson-inquest-34604373.html(6 April 2016)

“Ex-RUC cheif constable ‘has no memory’ of ordering Arkinson searches” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ex-ruc-chief-constable-has-no-memory-of-ordering-arkinson-searches-34630259.html(15 April 2016)

“No way Arlene would have left home and not contacted family, sister says” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/no-way-arlene-would-have-left-home-and-not-contacted-family-sister-says-34638223.html(18 April 2016)

“Police ‘could not have done more’ over missing girl” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-could-not-have-done-more-over-missing-girl-34644649.html(20 April 2016)

“Former detective in missing girl hunt defends raid on sister’s home” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/former-detective-in-missing-girl-hunt-defends-raid-on-sisters-home-34648023.html(21 April 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson inquest hit by fresh delay” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-inquest-hit-by-fresh-delay-34651059.html(22 April 2016)

“Police not planning to conduct new searches for Arlene Arkinson, inquest told” in The Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-not-planning-to-conduct-new-searches-for-arlene-arkinson-inquest-told-34698720.html(9 May 2016)

“Missing Arlene Arkinson was ‘a forgotten victim’ police detective tells inquest” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/missing-arlene-arkinson-was-a-forgotten-victim-police-detective-tells-inquest-34701893.html(10 May 2016)

Will Leitch, “Arlene Arkinson inquest: Former detective criticises police investigation” from BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-36258995(10 May 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson search information was third-hand, inquest told” from BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-36305012(16 May 2016)

‘Killer Robert Howard ‘weighed up’ options on prison regimes, Arlene inquest told” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/killer-robert-howard-weighed-up-options-on-prison-regimes-arlene-inquest-told-34723244.html(17 May 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson killer Robert Howard did not think he had disorders, court told” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-killer-robert-howard-did-not-think-he-had-disorders-court-told-34727174.html(18 May 2016)

“Killer Robert Howard ‘was severe risk to Arlene Arkinson,’ inquest told” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/killer-robert-howard-was-severe-risk-to-arlene-arkinson-inquest-told-34816979.html(20 June 2016)

“Robert Howard ‘admitted killing Arlene Arkinson in prison discussions’” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/robert-howard-admitted-killing-arlene-arkinson-in-prison-discussions-34824550.html(22 June 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson inquest told red tape stopping Dublin officials giving evidence” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-inquest-told-red-tape-stopping-dublin-officials-giving-evidence-35029966.html(7 September 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson: Police examine new site near Killen in Castlederg” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-police-examine-new-site-near-killen-in-castelderg-35052292.html(15 September 2016)

“Fresh search for body of Arlene Arkinson who went missing in 1994” in The Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/fresh-search-for-body-of-arlene-arkinson-who-went-missing-in-1994-35052495.html(15 September 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson search Farmer says he found ‘peculiar thing like a grave” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-search-farmer-says-he-found-peculiar-thing-like-a-grave-35054429.html(16 September 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson probe search team fails to find teenager’s remains” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-probe-search-team-fails-to-find-teenagers-remains-35056927.html(17 September 2016)

“Emotional week for family of missing teenager Arlene Arkinson” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/emotional-week-for-family-of-missing-teenager-arlene-arkinson-35060689.html(19 September 2016)

“Arlene Arkinson inquest: Lawyer infuriated over Garda delays to investigation” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-inquest-lawyer-infuriated-over-garda-delays-to-investigation-35112951.html(8 October 2016)

“Family of missing Arlene Arkinson ‘deeply frustrated’ at inquest delays” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/family-of-missing-arlene-arkinson-deeply-frustrated-at-inquest-delays-35259779.html(1 December 2016)

“Coroner defends delays in Arlene Arkinson inquest” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/coroner-defends-delays-in-arlene-arkinson-inquest-35479266.html(24 February 2017)

“Arlene Arkinson family enduring ‘exquisite cruelty’ with inquest delays” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-family-enduring-exquisite-cruelty-with-inquest-delays-35659822.html(27 April 2017)

“Information unearthed in Irish Republic over Arlene Arkinson disappearance” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/information-unearthed-in-irish-republic-over-arlene-arkinson-disappearance-36113127.html(8 Spetember 2017)

Michael McHugh, “Arlene Arkinson inquest: grave may be opened in search for missing teen” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinson-inquest-grave-may-be-opened-in-search-for-missing-teen-36650753.html(28 February 2018)

“Coroner seeking ‘precise answers’ in Arlene Arkinson probe” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/coroner-seeking-precise-answers-in-arlene-arkinson-probe-37281505.html(4 September 2018)

“Arlene Arkinson’s family vow never to stop searching for her body” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/arlene-arkinsons-family-vow-never-to-stop-searching-for-her-body-37976043.html(2 April 2019)

Jonathan McCambridge, “Coroner to deliver findings in long-running Arlene Arkinson inquest” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/coroner-to-deliver-findings-in-long-running-arlene-arkinson-inquest-40674775.html(21 July 2021)

Rebecca Black, “Child-killer Robert Howards responsible for Arlene Arkinson death, coroner rules” in The Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/child-killer-robert-howard-responsible-for-arlene-arkinson-death-coroner-rules-40677173.html(21 July 2021)

Meave Sheehan, “True Crime: My hunt for the child killer with the smirk that said, prove it” from Headtopics.ie in The Irish Independenthttps://headtopics.com/ie/true-crime-my-hunt-for-the-child-killer-with-the-smirk-that-said-prove-it-21173030(1 August 2021)

Audrey Gillan, “Courts reveal child killer’s 40-year history of rape and violence” in The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/21/ukcrime.audreygillan(21 September 2005)

Susan McKay, “Predator in the badlands” in The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/mar/25/northernireland.ukcrime(25 March 2006)

Raekha Prasad, “The girl who vanished” in The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/mar/28/gender.uk(28 March 2002)

“Arlene Arkinson was killed by convicted child-murderer, inquest find” in The Irish Timeshttps://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/arlene-arkinson-was-killed-by-convicted-child-murderer-inquest-finds-1.4626514(21 July 2021)

“Killer Robert Howard, who murdered teenager Hannah Williams and dumped her body at Northfleet cement works, dies in hospital” from KentOnlinehttps://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/young-girls-killer-dies-in-44394/(7 October 2015)

Andy Robinson, “Forgotten murder of missing girl Hannah Williams, 14, and how she was failed by police and media” from KentLive https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/young-girls-killer-dies-in-44394/(24 November 2019)

“Man cleared of one of five charges” in The Irish Times (24 June 2005) p. 9.

“Tyrone man cleared of killing girl” in The Irish Times (28 June 2005) p. 4.“Crimes of Irish-born serial sex offender are revealed” in The Irish Timeshttps://www.irishtimes.com/news/crimes-of-irish-born-serial-sex-offender-are-revealed-1.1182597(20 September 2005)

In Re: Howard [2011] NIQB 125

“Police failed to investigate Arlene Arkinson’s disappearance properly” from The Police Ombudsman for Northern Irelandhttps://www.policeombudsman.org/Media-Releases/2000-2010/2008/Police-failed-to-investigate-Arlene-Arkinson-s-dis(5 August 2008)

I’m not even going to try to fix the typos in the source list – sorry! Also, any guesses why this episode was so darn late?

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. But would there be justice for Marioara?

Continue reading “93 – Never Forget: The murder of Marioara Rostas”

88 – Unknown Location: 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?

Continue reading “88 – Unknown Location: the Murder of Meg Walsh”

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 never fully achieved.

Continue reading “84 – Dark Saga: The Murder of Philomena Gillane”

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

What became of Philip Cairns?

Continue reading “83 – The Disappearance of Philip Cairns”

76 – House of Horrors: Cork’s missing men

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.

Continue reading “76 – House of Horrors: Cork’s missing men”

72 – The Missing Postman: Larry Griffin

On Christmas Day, 1929, postman Larry Griffen went to work in the small village of Stradbally, Co Waterford. As he called into homes with the post, he was thanked with tips and a few drinks. That night, Larry never made it home. His bike was found abandoned in the middle of the road.

A conspiracy of silence kept the truth of what happened to Larry Griffin from his family, and still does to this day.

Continue reading “72 – The Missing Postman: Larry Griffin”

68 – Mountain Mysteries: The murder of Phyllis Murphy

Just before Christmas 1979, 23 year old Phyllis Murphy disappeared while waiting on a bus in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Her body was found in an isolated spot 25 miles away at Turlough Hill, Co Wicklow a month later.

After a huge search and investigation, the gardai had no leads as to who was responsible for her death. But in 1998, DNA in Phyllis’ case was tested as part of Operation Trace. As a result of that, 53 year old John Crerar – a neighbour of Phyllis’ remaining family – stood trial at the Dublin Central Criminal Court.

Continue reading “68 – Mountain Mysteries: The murder of Phyllis Murphy”