Tag: irish

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

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn Controversial Case, Human Rights, Irish Crime, Kidnapping, Landmark Case, murder, sadism, Serial Killer, sex crimes, torture, Vintage murder

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. 

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50 – Murdered Abroad: The story of Jason Corbett

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn Child Victim, Controversial Case, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Irish Crime, Mental Health, murder, Self Defence, US Crime, Women Who Kill, Wrongly Accused

In August of 2015, a Limerick man, Jason Corbett, was found dead on his bedroom floor of the master bedroom of his lavish family home in North Carolina. His young wife and her father were covered in blood hen police arrived, and a bloody baseball bat and paving brick were found in the bedroom. They told the police that Jason had been killed in self defence. 

But Molly and Tom Martens would both face trial for the murder of Jason Corbett. The Limerick man’s family fought for justice, and for custody of his two young children, which was watched by people, both at home and abroad.

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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)” →

44 – Missing & Murdered: Operation Trace

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn Controversial Case, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, IRA/Paramilitary links, Irish Crime, Kidnapping, murder, sex crimes, unsolved

Women have been disappearing from, or ending up found dead in, the Wicklow Mountains for over 30 years. In this bonus episode we look at a man that is suspected to have committed some of these abductions and murders,  look back on a number of unsolved rape and murder cases in the 80’s, and bring the story right up-to-date with that latest unfortunate woman to have been killed and dumped in what is called “the vanishing triangle”.

So, what the heck is going on in the Wicklow Mountains?

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42 – Danger at Home: The Killing of Celine Cawley

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn Controversial Case, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, IRA/Paramilitary links

Celine Cawley was a model, a former bond girl, an advertising producer and a successful business owner.

But in December of 2008, she was attacked in her own home and died of her injuries. Her husband, Eamonn Lillis, said that there had been an intruder in their exclusive Howth home, but was he telling the truth?

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41 – Attacked: The murder of Karen Buckley

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn Irish Crime, Kidnapping, murder, Scottish Crimes, sex crimes, UK Crime

In April of 2015, two countries were gripped by the disappearance of a 24 year old nurse. Karen Buckley, from Co. Cork had gone on a night out in Glasgow’s busy West End. But she didn’t return home.

Quickly a police search for the missing woman was up and running. But it would prove to be too late. Karen’s fate was sealed mere minutes after she told her friends goodbye.

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35 – The murder of Jill Meagher & serial sex crimes of Adrian Bayley

On By mensreapod@gmail.comIn Australian Crime, Controversial Case, Domestic Violence, Human Rights, Intimate Partner Violence, Irish Crime, Kidnapping, Landmark Case, Mental Health, murder, Public Inquiry, sadism

On Friday the 22nd September 2012, Jill Meagher left work after a long week and went out for a night on the town in her adopted home of Melbourne, Australia. She spent the evening in a number of bars and pubs with work friends.

But that night, there was a predator out on the streets too. One who had spent nearly a decade in prison for violent assaults and rape, and was still on parole and bail. Because of him, Jill would never make it home that night.

Continue reading “35 – The murder of Jill Meagher & serial sex crimes of Adrian Bayley” →