This episode was initially released as a Patreon exclusive on 8th Sept 2019

In November of 1997, Eileen O'Shaughnessy went to work as normal. She drove a taxi in Galway City, and was one of the few women drivers in the country

But on the night of the 30th of that month, Eileen's car was found abandoned in the city with blood all over the drivers seat. Her body was found the next day.

The case remains unsolved.

Music:

Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources:

Cracking Crime: Cold Cases – Eileen O'Shaughnessy RTE (2012) watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7Hg2mzVRmQ&list=PLdWT38WOXNebh2AJOBn2Ew-tjMgtnC_0n&index=4

Barry Cummins, Lifers (Dublin: Gill & McMillan, 2014)

Garda Press Release https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime-Prevention/Crimecall-on-RTE/Crimecall-Episodes/2017/November-20/Murder-of-Eileen-Costello-O%E2%80%99Shaughnessy-on-the-30-11-97.html#targetText=Murder%20of%20Eileen%20Costello%20O,on%20the%2030%2F11%2F97&targetText=Garda%C3%AD%20in%20Galway%20are%20continuing,taxi%20driver%20in%20Galway%20City. (20 November 2017)

Declan Rooney, “Taxi driver carry stickers on cars in bid to find killer” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taxi-drivers-carry-stickers-on-cars-in-bid-to-find-killer-215158.html (27 November 2012)

Declan Tierney, “New Leads in 20 year old murder” from The Connacht Tribune http://claregalway.info/nuacht/news/2017/12/new-leads-20-year-old-murder/ (14 December 2017)

Lorna Siggins, “Family of Murdered woman believe gardai talking to the wrong man” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/family-of-murdered-woman-believe-gardai-talking-to-the-wrong-man-1.1128374 (30 November 2002)

Ciaran Tierney, “Convicted murderer is questioned about taxi driver killing” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/convicted-murderer-is-questioned-about-taxi-driver-killing-1.317571 (13 July 2001)

Declan Tierney, “Family still searches for answers 19 years after brutal murder” in The Connacht Tribune https://connachttribune.ie/family-still-searches-for-answers-19-years-after-brutal-murder-019/ (26 December 2016)

“Man jailed for murder committed while on day release” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/man-jailed-for-murder-committed-while-on-day-release-1.1119595 (6 December 2000)

“Taxi woman killed for her £70 takings” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/taxi-woman-killed-for-her-70-takings-26200462.html (4 December 1997)

This episode was first released as a Patreon exclusive on 7th October 2018

This is the story of the shocking killing of Tom O'Gorman by his lodger, Sevario Bellante, who suffered from schizophrenia. Bellante had recently been weaned off his medication under medical supervision, and on medical advice to do so, but this would have tragic results.

Theme Music:

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

For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

This Bonus episode was first published as a "Guilt Trip" episode on Patreon on 7th April 2019.

Dolores McCrea married the man that she had met and fallen for while in Secondary School in Donegal. But her husband, Gary, was a controlling man and became abusive.

Soon the violence became too much for Dolores and she left Gary, bringing along their four daughters. But often the time after a person leaves their abuser is the most dangerous. And this was the case for Dolores.

Gary McCrea had plans for Dolores once she left him which would lead him to standing in the dock in the Four Courts just over a year later.

Music:

Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources:

24 Hours to Kill – Gary McCrea Season 4, episode 1. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j7aj3

Ken Foy, “Meet the bone expert who has helped to jail some of our nost notorious killers” in The Evening Herald https://www.herald.ie/news/meet-the-bone-expert-who-has-helped-to-jail-some-of-our-most-notorious-killers-31466476.html (21 August 2015)

“Hundreds expected at Dolores McCrea's funeral” from The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hundreds-expected-at-dolores-mccrea-funeral-157311.html (16 July 2004)

Kathy Donaghy, “Dad-of-four gets life for murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dadoffour-gets-life-for-murder-25955289.html (5 November 2005)

“Daughter says man told her he would kill her mother” in The Tirish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/daughter-says-man-told-her-he-would-kill-her-mother-1.507798 (20 October 2005)

Kathy Donaghy, “'My father told me he was going to stab my mother and rip her guts out'” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/my-father-told-me-he-was-going-to-stab-my-mother-and-rip-her-guts-out--25955291.html (5 Novmeber 2005)

“Mechanic gets life sentence for murdering wife” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/mechanic-gets-life-sentence-for-murdering-wife-1.514254 (5 November 2005)

In 1981, Nora Sheehan went missing from Ballyphehane, Co Cork. She was found dead a week later, and gardai soon had a prime suspect for her murder while investigating another crime.

But a series of setbacks meant no trial was held in the case until 2023.

This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.

********

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With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes!

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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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Sources:

Prime Time, “Family of cold case murder victim speak out”, available here on RTE Player

“Missing woman”, Irish Examiner, June 12th 1981

“Cork murder hunt”, Evening Echo, June 15th 1981

Dick Cross, “Body of murdered woman in wood”, Irish Independent, June 15th 1981

“No new leads in murder case”, Irish Examiner, June 16th 1981

“Murder hunt continues”, Irish Examiner, June 17th 1981

“No clues in murder hunt”, Evening Echo, June 18th 1981

“Gardai believe killer is known”, Evening Echo, June 19th 1981

Denis Reading, “Gardai warn killer could strike again”, Irish Examiner, June 20th 1981

For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

In the middle of the night on the 13th May, 2000, a flat in Ballymun was set alight. Inside, the body of Derek Benson was found. But his cause of death had nothing to do with the inferno in his bedroom. He had been brutally killed with a blade.

The garda investigation into his murder would not only identify his killers, but a litany of abuse and violence that would continue long after the trial had concluded.

This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.

********

Find us on Facebook or Twitter!

With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes!

Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store!

*********

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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Sources:

“Revenge”, book by Ken Foxe

Barbara Clinton, “Gardai appeal for public help in murder probe”, Irish Examiner, May 15th 2000

“Ballymun killing a gangland message”, Evening Herald, May 15th 2000

Bernie O’Toole, “Copycat flat death man had horrific injuries”, Irish Independent, May 15th 2000

Caroline O’Doherty, “Plea for help in hunt for savage killer”, Irish Examiner, May 16th 2000

Caroline O’Doherty, “Witness to killing sought by gardai”, Irish Examiner, May 17th 2000

“Drugged, tortured and killed for £300”, Evening Herald, May 19th 2000

Caroline O’Doherty, “Man charged with murder of stabbed father”, Irish Examiner, May 19th 2000

Tom Brady, “Man charged after frenzied knife murder”, Irish Independent, May 19th 2000

“Woman brought in for questioning”, Irish Examiner, May 23rd 2000

Tim Healy, “Woman charged with flat murder”, Evening Herald, May 23rd 2000

Liz Walsh, “Hired sword death horror”, Jan 13th 2004

For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

Kitty Carroll was killed by Michael Murphy in Drogheda in 1983 - he would go on to kill again.

This episode was originally posted to Patreon as a bonus episode in March 2022. Hang in there while I continue to try to get back on track with my work schedule.

************

Find us on Facebook or Twitter!

With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes!

Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store!

***********

Music:

Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

************

Sources:

“Woman is strangled by mugger” in The Evening Press (21 October 1983) p. 7.

“Remanded on death charge” in The Evening Herald (28 October 1983) p. 17.

“Murder case man remanded” in The Irish Press (29 October 1983) p. 6.

“Murder charge remand” in The Drogheda Independent (4 November 1983) p. 5.

“Murder charge man remanded” in The Irish Independent (19 November 1983) p. 7.

“Remanded on murder charge” in The Drogheda Independent (27 January 1984) p. 3.

“Murder charge concern” in The Drogheda Independent (17 February 1984) p. 5.

For a full list of sources please see mensreapod.com

In March of 2011, 19 year old David Byrne set out to meet someone near to his home in Drimnagh, Dublin City. Little did he know that he was walking into a trap. A panicked chase was caught on CCTV, but the final attack occurred in a dark corner out of sight of any cameras. Could his killer be identified from the footage?

This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.

********

Find us on Facebook or Twitter!

With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes!

Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store!

*********

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/

*********

Sources:

DPP vs Marcus Kirwan appeal doc, available on Vlex

Ireland Young and Dumb Episode 3, TV3 documentary, available on YouTube

Tom Brady and Patricia McDonagh, “Teen chased down and stabbed to death by gang”, Irish Independent, March 21st 2011

Ann Murphy, “Manhunt for gang after Dublin teen is murdered”, Evening Echo, March 21st 2011

Tom Brady and Shane Hickey, “Murdered teen’s stabbing death is not linked to gangland feud”, Irish Independent, March 22nd 2011

Cormac Murphy, “Gardai prepare to arrest four teen knife killers”, Evening Herald, March 22nd 2011

Tom Brady, “Teens aged 13 held over fatal stabbing of young man”, Irish Independent, March 23rd 2011

Clodagh Sheehy, “Two 13 year olds held over fatal knife attack”, Evening Herald, March 23rd 2011

Cormac O’Keefe, “Seven teenagers held in murder hunt”, Irish Examiner, March 23rd 2011

Tom Brady, “Young man was murdered over €2000 owed to drug dealers”, Irish Independent, March 24th 2011

For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com