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.

Continue reading “104 – Brazen: The murder of Rose Farrelly”

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 neighbour was arrested. Not only was Karen Walsh a woman, she was a wealthy pharmacist who stayed in her second home in Newry on the weekends.

What on earth had happened, and was the mother of one really responsible for the death of the elderly woman? 

Continue reading “103 – A killing at Christmas: The murder of Maire Rankin”

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.

Continue reading “101 – A Few Days in May”

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 episode, we explore cases where this partial defence was employed at trial and appeal: the killing of John Roche in 1982, the murder of Gerard Hackett in 2002, and the kidnap and murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in 1998.


Reasearch & Writing by Eileen MacFarlene of the Crimelapse Podcast


Continue reading “100 – Provocation & the Gay Panic defence”

98 – A Question of Disorder: The murders of Anne & Annie Gillespie

In 1988, Anne Gillespie was 18 years old. She was looking forward to embarking on adult life. There was just one problem – her boyfriend of over three years had begun to behave horribly. She decided to end things. Her boyfriend, 22 year old John Gallagher, decided that if Anne would no longer speak to him, he’d kill her.

John also shot Anne’s mother, Annie.

No one could have predicted it, nor could they have known about the 24 years the two families would spend in and out of court.

Continue reading “98 – A Question of Disorder: The murders of Anne & Annie Gillespie”

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?

92 – No Excuse: The murder of Mary Doogue

In October of 1995, Mary Doogue was beaten to death. She lay in her bed in her cold dark home for 12 hours before she got any medical attention, and died shortly after. Her partner 19 year old Stephen Davis was arrested two days later.

He would tell the court that he had been provoked. Would a jury buy his excuse?

Continue reading “92 – No Excuse: The murder of Mary Doogue”

90 – Beyond Reasonable Doubt: The murder of Siobhan McLoughlin

On 28th February 2006, Siobhan McLoughlin was found dead in locked bedroom. At first glance, it looked as if she had tragically taken her own life. But within hours after her death, police and the McLoughlin family felt sure that she had been brutally murdered.

But would the State be able to prove guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt?

Continue reading “90 – Beyond Reasonable Doubt: The murder of Siobhan McLoughlin”

89 – The Ordeal: Jennifer Guinness

In April of 1986, three armed men burst into a lavish home in Howth. When they left, they brought with them Jennifer Guinness, mother of three and wife of the head of a merchant bank. A ransom was demanded for her return.

Despite the quick mobilisation of gardai all over Dublin, Jennifer’s captor would evade capture for over a week.

Continue reading “89 – The Ordeal: Jennifer Guinness”