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 happened to her.

Continue reading “119: Missing Mary”

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.

Continue reading “107 – The Day Trip: Bettina Poeschel”

97 – Part Two: 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?

Continue reading “97 – Part Two: With Impunity”

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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‘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?

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”

70 – Lives of Violence: Robert Mone

In 1967, a teacher was shot in her classroom in Dundee.

In 1976, two men escaped a mental hospital and killed three others in the process.

In 1979, three women were found beaten and strangled in a flat in Dundee.

All of these horrific events had one thing in common.

The name Robert Mone.

Continue reading “70 – Lives of Violence: Robert Mone”

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”

61 – Retrial: The murder of Jong Ok Shin

On 12th July, 2002 Jong Ok Shin a Korean language student was brutally murdered while living in Bournemouth. A local drug addicted man, Omar Benguit was quickly identified as the prime suspect. 

But shortly after, it would emerge that at the time of Ms Shin’s death, a man that had committed two murders, was living just streets away. 

Continue reading “61 – Retrial: The murder of Jong Ok Shin”

54 – The Serial Child Murders of Robert Black

A stranger snatching a child off the street is thankfully a rare thing. But throughout the 70s and 80s, in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, a number of young girls disappeared as if into thin air while walking alone. Most went missing in broad daylight. Some were found – their bodies dumped hundreds of miles from home. Some remain missing, presumed murdered.

In 1990, police in Scotland realised that many of these cases were linked. A delivery driver living in London was responsible for them all. Despite getting into trouble throughout his youth for sexually motivated attacks on younger children, Robert Black had been free to roam the country and target girls for decades.

*Episode Image: Jennifer Cardy (via The Irish Times Archive)

Continue reading “54 – The Serial Child Murders of Robert Black”

51 – Rampage: The murders of Elizabeth Plunkett & Mary Duffy

In 1976, there was a crime spree in Ireland. Houses and caravans were burgled, cars were stolen, and then two women went missing. Elizabeth Plunkett disappeared in Brittas Bay in Wicklow, and a month later, across the country, Mary Duffy went missing without a trace.

The gardai discovered that all these crimes were related, and had been committed by two men who had only arrived into the country a year before from England, where they were wanted in relation to a number of sexual assaults. 

John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans would go on to be some of the longest serving prisoners in Ireland. 

Continue reading “51 – Rampage: The murders of Elizabeth Plunkett & Mary Duffy”