About this episode

This episode recounts the investigation into the disappearance of Karen Buckley, a case that impacted both Ireland and Scotland.

In April 2015, 24-year-old Cork woman Karen Buckley went for a night out with friends in Glasgow, where she was studying to become a nurse. When Karen did not return home or answer her friends’ calls, police began searching for her. Their investigation soon focussed on a man seen speaking with Karen outside a nightclub, moments after she was last seen by her friends. Over the next few days detectives would conduct an intense, detailed investigation to trace Karen’s movements and identify the man she spoke with. Through the analysis of hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, public appeals, forensics and police interviews, a picture would soon begin to emerge. It would become a case that deeply affected people in both Ireland and Scotland, as the shocking, heart-breaking truth emerged. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman recounts that investigation in detail, and the impact of a crime that caused deep pain across two countries. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Anna Priestland Script Edited by Eoin Brennan & Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound…

People in this episode

Host: John Sweetman

Topics covered

• true crime
• investigation
• missing person
• CCTV analysis
• forensics
• impact of crime

Keywords

• Karen Buckley
• Glasgow
• CCTV footage
• forensics
• true crime
• investigation
• missing person
• Ireland
• Scotland

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: GoLoud, Ireland, Scotland

Places: Cork, Glasgow

More episodes of Lines of Enquiry

• Case Notes #013: What Comes Next · July 20, 2026 · 27 min
• Case Notes #012: Kelly Lynch Peer Review · July 16, 2026 · 24 min
• Case Notes #011: Fingerprints and Forensics · July 14, 2026 · 43 min
• Case Notes #010: Crisis Negotiation · July 7, 2026 · 28 min
• An update from John · July 3, 2026 · 7 min
• Case Notes #009: Witnessing Justice (Pt. 2) · July 2, 2026 · 26 min

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