Mens Rea: A true crime podcast

This episode was originally published asa Patreon exclusive on 12 Jan 2020.In 2016, shocking news broke that an elderly couple were found dead in their own home in rural Co Mayo, and a younger man was found there too - badly injured. Over the following days, while family friends and the community in Irishtown grappled with the tragic news, it became clear that something very sinister had occurred in the small farmhouse. And for reasons - that to this day - have yet to come to light.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:Ryan Nugent, “Village in shock over tragedy involving 'saint like' pair who were the perfect match” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/village-in-shock-over-tragedy-involving-saintlike-pair-who-were-the-perfect-match-35184599.html (3 November 2016)   Ryan Nugent, “Death in rural Mayo: murder and suicide suspected in deaths of elderly couple” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/deaths-in-rural-mayo-murder-and-suicide-suspected-in-deaths-of-elderly-couple-35184593.html (3 November 2016)   Ryan Nugent, “Neighbours in quiet rural area left stunned by couple's death” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/neighbours-in-quiet-rural-area-left-stunned-by-couples-deaths-35190063.html (5 November 2016)   Meave Sheehan, “Mayo father suspected of killing wife, attacking son – then taking own life” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mayo-father-suspected-of-killing-wife-attacking-son-then-taking-own-life-35191796.html (6 November 2016)   Robin Schiller, “Tragic Mayo couple will be buried together” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tragic-mayo-couple-will-be-buried-together-35193648.html (7 November 2016) Greg Harkin, “'A silence has fallen across this parish' – Priest tells of 'shattered community' at double funeral of Tom and Kitty Fitzgerald” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-silence-has-fallen-across-this-parish-priest-tells-of-shattered-community-at-double-funeral-of-tom-and-kitty-fitzgerald-35194737.html (7 November 2016)   Greg Harkin, “Community mourns as couple who died in murder-suicide laid to rest together” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/community-mourns-as-couple-who-died-in-murdersuicide-laid-to-rest-together-35196930.html (8 November 2016)   Tom Shiel, “Man killed wife then took his own life, inquest told” in The Irish Times (21 November 2017) p. 4.   Tom Shiel, “Couple's deaths left community 'like orphans looking for a hand to hold' priest tells funeral” in The Irish Times (8 November 2016) p. 8.   Tom Shiel, “Bodies of two pensioners found in Mayo” in The Irish Times (2 November 2016) p. 4. Tom Shiel, “Mayo couple's deaths a murder-suicide” in The Irish Times (3 November 2016) p. 1.   Anton McNulty, “Horrific Evidence heard at murder/suicide inquest” in The Mayo News http://www.mayonews.ie/news/31158-horrific-evidence-heard-at-murder-suicide-inquest (21 November 2017)   Darragh McDonagh, “Verdict of murder-suicide recorded at inquest into deaths of Tom and Kitty Fitzgerald (72)” in TheJournal.ie https://www.thejournal.ie/murder-suicide-mayo-fitzgerald-3707726-Nov2017/ (20 November 2017)  Caroline Crawford, “Son has no memory of what happened the day his parents died in murder-suicide, inquest hears” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/son-has-no-memory-of-what-happened-the-day-his-parents-died-in-murdersuicide-inquest-hears-36336486.html (20 November 2017)   Emma Lake, “OAP found battered to death next to husband who was dead in water trough surrounded by poison next to badly injured man” in The Sun  https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2098419/oap-found-battered-to-death-next-to-husband-who-was-dead-in-water-trough-surrounded-by-poison-next-to-badly-injured-man/ (2 November 2016)   Ryan Nugent, “Answers to grisly deaths of couple lie within the home” in The Evening Herald https://www.herald.ie/news/answers-to-grisly-deaths-of-couple-lie-within-the-home-35184129.html (3 November 2016)   James Ward and Tom Shiel, “Heartfelt tributes paid to elderly couple  found 'beaten to death' in Mayo home” in The Irish Mirror https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heartfelt-tributes-paid-elderly-couple-9176939 (1 November 2016)   Trevor Quinn, “'God's own way is not our way': brother of Tom Fitzgerald pays tribute to slain Mayo man” in The Irish Mirror https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/gods-way-not-way-brother-9180453 (2 November 2016)   “Homicide verdicts at inquest into deaths of Mayo couple” in The Connaught Telegraph https://www.con-telegraph.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/11/20/4148750-homicide-verdicts-at-inquests-into-deaths-of-mayo-couple/ (20 November 2017)   Cianan Brennan, “'A silence fell across this parish' – funeral takes place of pensioners found dead at home” in TheJournal.ie https://www.thejournal.ie/tom-kitty-fitzgerald-funeral-3068005-Nov2016/ (7 November 2016)   Sinead O'Carroll and Cianan Brennan, “Married couple found dead in house on Galway/Mayo border” in TheJournal.ie https://www.thejournal.ie/irishtown-mayo-bodies-3057574-Nov2016/ (1 November 2016)   Tom Sheil, “Murder-suicide verdict returned in Mayo inquest” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/coroner-s-court/murder-suicide-verdict-returned-in-mayo-inquest-1.3298900 (20 November 2016)   

This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 6 Oct 2019In the early hours of the 11th February, 1984, Patrick Nugent died in a car park in front of Bunratty Castle, Co Clare. There had been a party, and Patrick was working in the castle that night. A number of guests were present for the events leading up to Patrick's death, but, none of their stories were consistent with one another. Two guests - off duty gardai - would not speak to the officers who responded to the scene.At a post-mortem it was established that Patrick had been run over by a car, but not before falling to the ground.What happened to Patrick Nugent? 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:“What Happened in Bunratty?” Episode 29 Scannal (RTE, 26/09/2016) Available here: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-scannal-collection/SI0000004189?epguid=IH000338537 The History of Shannon Airport https://www.shannonproperties.ie/shannon-region/the-history-of-shannon-airport/ Bunratty Castle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunratty_Castle                                 www.bunrattycastle.ie   Economic History of the Republic of Ireland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland#1980_to_early_1990s Derek Dunne, “The Death of Patrick Nugent” from Magill https://magill.ie/archive/death-patrick-nugent (12 June 1985)  Simon Carswell, “Who 'clocked' Patrick Nugent? A family still searches for answers” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/who-clocked-patrick-nugent-a-family-still-searches-for-answers-1.3107557 (5 June 2017)   Dan Danaher, “Patrick Nugent's family secures state inquiry into his death in 1984” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/patrick-nugents-family-secures-state-inquiry-into-his-death-in-1984-373317.html (28 December 2015)   Dan Danaher, “Family fury over death inquiry delay” in The Clare Champion https://clarechampion.ie/family-fury-over-death-inquiry-delay/ (11 September 2015)   Owen Ryan, “Death in Bunratty and the long search for answers” in The Clare Champion https://clarechampion.ie/family-fury-over-death-inquiry-delay/ ( (29 July 2019)    http://www.section42inquiries.ie/en/s42i/pages/si1992017 Anne Sheridan, “Suspicious death in Bunratty ow under review 33 years on” in The Limerick Leader https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/253965/suspicious-death-in-bunratty-now-under-review-33-years-on.html (8 June 2017)   “Nugent case goes to UN Committee” in The Clare Champion http://clarechampion.ie/nugent-case-goes-to-un-committee/ (4 February 2016)   Ray Ryan, “'Isn't he the image of Honey Fitz” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/isnt-he-the-image-of-honey-fitz-234702.html (21 June 2013)   Caroline O'Doherty, “Reviews into Garda malpractice claims are pointless, say victims” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/reviews-into-garda-malpractice-claims-are-pointless-say-victims-378790.html (29 January 2016)   

This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 5 May 2019.Two women were murdered in the 1980's in Kilkenny. They were unconnected, and unsolved. It would be years before the two murders were "rediscovered" by the Garda Cold Case Unit - the National Serious Crime Review Unit. Appeals for information were made to the public, and now, 30 years on, there have been developments in the cases....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:“Man (52) due to be charged in connection with murder of Ann Nancy Smith in 2987” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-52-due-to-be-charged-in-connection-with-murder-of-ann-nancy-smith-in-1987-34113928.html (15 October 2015) Natasha Reid, “Cold-case trial hears widow already dead when house set on fire” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/cold-case-trial-hears-widow-already-dead-when-house-set-on-fire-1.3023788 (24 March 2017)Natasha Reid, “Kilkenny murder trial: Nancy Smyth subjected to head injuries and strangled before fire started in her home” in The Kilkenny People https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/241784/kilkenny-murder-trial-nancy-smyth-subjected-to-head-injuries-and-strangled-before-fire-started-in-her-home.html (24 March 2017)Jim Cusack, “Killer repeatedly given bail despite threatening witnesses and stabbing his brother – after admitting murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/killer-repeatedly-given-bail-despite-threatening-witnesses-and-stabbing-his-brother-after-admitting-murder-35626554.html (16 April 2017)Sandra Murphy, “How murderer of pensioner Nancy Smyth was fianlly caught after 30 years” from Evoke.ie https://extra.ie/2017/04/20/news/real-life/how-detectives-cracked-cold-case-of-murder-of-pensioner-nancy-smyth (20 April 2017)   Eoin Reynolds, “'Closure' for family in cold-case” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/closure-for-family-in-cold-case-murder-447831.html (14 April 2017)Natasha Reid, “Bible study man strangled widow and set fire to her home, cold case murder trial hears” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/bible-study-man-strangled-widow-and-set-fire-to-her-home-coldcase-murder-trial-hears-35555465.html (22 March 2017)   Natasha Reid, “Cold case trial hears of widow's murder 30 years ago” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/cold-case-trial-hears-of-widows-murder-30-years-ago-35557331.html (23 March 2017)   Eoin Reynolds, “Woman died 'callouss and violent death', murder trial hears” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/woman-died-callous-and-violent-death-murder-trial-hears-1.3045399 (11 April 2017)   Ruaidhri Giblin, “Appeal dismissed” Convicted murderer confessed to people 'left right and centre' to killing woman 30 years ago as life sentence upheld” in The Irish Sun https://www.thesun.ie/news/2466416/convicted-murderer-confessed-to-people-left-right-and-centre-to-killing-woman-30-years-ago-as-life-sentence-upheld/ (19 April 2018)Ruaidhri Giblin, “'Cold-case' killer moves to appeal conviction for murder of woman in Kilkenny 30 years ago” in The Kilkenny People https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/295419/cold-case-killer-moves-to-appeal-conviction-for-murder-of-woman-in-kilkenny-30-years-ago.html (5 February 2018)   Conor Lally, “Gardai identify suspect in cold case murder of Marie Tierney in 1984” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda%C3%AD-identify-suspect-in-cold-case-murder-of-marie-tierney-in-1984-1.3681898 (31 October 2018)   Wayne O'Conner, “Family of murdered Marie believe gardai closer to finding killer” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/family-of-murdered-marie-believe-gardai-closer-to-finding-killer-37489911.html (4 November 2018)   Barry Cummins, “Family of murder victim Marie Tierney speak of ongoing anguish” from RTE.ie  https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/1115/1011234-marie-tierney/ (15 November 2018)   Cormac O'Keefe, “Garda review of one unsolved murder unearths a second case” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/garda-review-of-one-unsolved-murder-unearths-second-case-882462.html (1 November 2018)    Paul Hosford, “Gardai appeal for information into 1984 murder of mother of two” in TheJournal.ie https://www.thejournal.ie/marie-tierney-murder-appeal-3686145-Nov2017/ (8 November 2017)   Press Release: Garda Update – Marie Tierney Murder Investigation from Garda.ie https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/press-releases/2018/october/update-marie-tierney-murder-investigation.html   “Cold Case Breakthrough” Potential witness in Marie Tierney murder investigation comes forward” from KilkennyNow.ie https://kilkennynow.ie/breaking-potential-witness-in-marie-tierney-murder-investigation-comes-forward/ (20 December 2018)   

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

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.********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: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 1981Dick 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 1981Denis Reading, “Gardai warn killer could strike again”, Irish Examiner, June 20th 1981For 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 August 2000, 21 year old Julie Tennant went missing from her home in Ballymena. Her parents searched desperately for her, while RUC officers began a search for her. They eventually identified a man she had last been seen with - but when he heard police were searching his home he went on the run.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: “RUC renews missing plea”, Belfast Newsletter, Aug 12th 2000Maureen Coleman, “Parents in appeal for missing daughter”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 15th 2000Martin Breen “RUC seal house in hunt for lost Julie”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 22nd 2000Martin Breen, “Search for Julie, man is arrested”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 24th 2000“Missing Julie man quizzed”, Belfast Newsletter, Aug 24th 2000Ciaran McGuigan “Agony for Julie family as body discovered”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 25th 2000For a full list of sources, please visit www.mensreapod.com

Just after 10am, on Wednesday the 29th July 2008, shots rang out on a busy residential road in Kilrush, Co Clare. Two men who lived on the street, Leslie Kenny and Brendan O'Sullivan, had exchanged words, and by the end of that interaction, one of them was lying dead in a front garden.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 V Brendan O’Sullivan appeal document“20 months in jail for heroin addict”, Irish Independent, Oct 4th 2003Gordon Deegan, “Widespread heroin use may increase in Clare”, Clare Champion, Oct 10th 2003Gordon Deegan, “Man faces charge over threatening behaviour in court case”, Irish Independent, Sep 29th 2005Gordon Deegan, “Man charged after disturbance forced judge to suspend court”, Irish Examiner, Sep 29th 2005For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

28 year old mother of one Norma Crotty appeared on her neighbours doorstep early on the morning of January 3rd, 1995. She was in a distressed state, and was holding a shotgun. It was smoking.Norma told her neighbour that she had just shot her husband.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:John Murphy, “Middleton man died from shot in the back”, Irish Examiner, Jan 4th 1995.John Murphy, “Gardai release woman”, Evening Echo, Jan 4th 1995.“Help sought in Midleton murder probe”, Evening Echo, Jan 5th 1995.“Shot man removed”, Irish Examiner, Jan 6th 1995.“Military funeral for shot soldier”, Irish Press, Jan 7th 1995.“Sad silence over graveyard as shot soldier is laid to rest”, Irish Examiner, Jan 7th 1995.John Murphy, “Definite line of inquiry in death of Midleton man”, Irish Examiner, Jan 9th 1995.Ralph Riegel, “Murder charge expected”, Irish Examiner, Oct 9th 1995.For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

In the early hours of 29th April, 2000, a fire was discovered in an upmarket flat in the seaside resort of Scheveningen, The Hague. Three occupants were found dead in the bathtub - young Irishmen Damien Monahan and Vincent and Morgan Costello. Was the fire an accident, some sort of gangland hit, or something else altogether? 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/ ********* Isabel Conway, “Hunt for Dutch killers who set Irishman on fire”, Irish Independent, May 3rd 2000 Dan Collins and Isabel Conway, Clareman burned, brutally tortured in drugs war, Irish Examiner, May 3rd 2000 Dan Collins, “Drugs gang tortured, executed Irish trio”, Irish Examiner, May 4th 2000 Frank Khan, “Drugs slaughter, five Irish deaths feared by Interpol”, Irish Independent, May 4th 2000 Gordon Deegan, “Agonising wait for family to have worst confirmed”, Irish Examiner, May 5th 2000 Barry Roche, “Irishman shocked at being linked to murders”, Irish Examiner, May 5th 2000 Cian McCormack, “Information on Bansha brothers sent to Holland to help identify bodies”, Irish Examiner, May 5th 2000 Conor Keane, “Revenge possible motive behind brutal murders”, Irish Examiner, May 5th 2000 Martina Devlin, “Sun sea sand and quietly selling drugs for a living”, Irish Independent, May 6th 2000 Conor Sweeney, “Murdered men had only small drugs plant”, Irish Independent, May 6th 2000 Isabel Conway, “Blood death and butchery in a gangland tale of two cities”, Sunday Independent, May 7th 2000 For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

On a chilly Sunday morning in December of 1980, Michael Kelly arrived at a neighbours house in a panic. There was a fire in the house he was staying in nearby, and inside were the two elderly siblings who he was there to look after. Sadly, Margaret and Martin Glynn - siblings in their 80s - were removed from the house and pronounced dead. But was this a tragic accident, or a malicious act driven by greed? 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: “Blaze murder link probe”, Evening Herald, Nov 18th 1981. “Galway deaths, man is held”, Evening Press, Nov 23rd 1981. “Remanded on murder charge”, Irish Examiner, Nov 24th 1981. “Charged with murder”, Connacht Tribune, Nov 27th 1981. “Murder Charge”, Connacht Tribune, Apr 16th 1982. “Turnip in blaze room was body of woman”, Irish Independent, Mar 22nd 1983. “Woman in blaze ‘was strangled’”, Irish Examiner, Mar 22nd 1983. “Woman strangled before blaze”, Evening Echo, Mar 22nd 1983. “Woman was dead before bed fire”, Irish Independent, Mar 23rd 1983. “Victim drove me ‘insane’”, Irish Examiner, Mar 24th 1983. “Accused got on great with victim”, Evening Echo, Mar 24th 1983. “‘Driven to murder by victim’, says accused”, Irish Independent, Mar 24th 1983. “Killer breaks down at life sentence”, Irish Independent, Mar 25th 1983. “Man gets life for murder”, Irish Examiner, Mar 25th 1983. Sean Rice, “Mercy dash to Mountjoy in bid to save life of striker”, Connacht Tribune, Jul 11th 1986. “State takes over estate”, Irish Examiner, Feb 21st 1989. Paul Muldowney, “State to run farm willed to murderer”, Irish Press, Feb 21st 1989. “State takes charge of murder case estate”, Tuam Herald, Feb 25th 1989. “Convicted killer’s appeal 20 years on”, Irish Independent, Jul 24th 2003. Sean O Carthaigh, “Senior officer was linked to all tribunals into garda behaviour”, Irish Examiner, Jun 3rd 2005. Aodhan O’Faolain, “Galwayman appeals murder conviction 25 years on”, Nov 13th 2007. Aodhan O’Faolain, “Harbison’s evidence ‘unsafe’ in Galwayman’s original murder trial”, Connacht Tribune, Nov 23rd 2007. For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

In August of 2000, Gerry McGinley disappeared from his home near Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. His wife Julie said he had packed up a plastic bag and had taken off. The police investigation came up with numerous leads. Had Gerry fallen foul of the Real IRA? Or maybe he'd crossed drug dealers? Was his former lover - or indeed her husband - enraged enough to make him run, or worse? It also seemed likely Gerry had been blackmailing local men with videos they'd rather not exist... Or perhaps the answer was much closer to home, and to be found in the newly re-decorated master bedroom of the McGinley's bungalow... 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: Michael Breslin, ‘Renewed search for missing man’, Fermanagh Herald, Sept 13th 2000 Martin Breen, ‘Reveal; our son’s secret grave’, Belfast Telegraph, Feb 26th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Wife of missing man is arrested’, Belfast Telegraph, Mar 21st 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Missing man: trio quizzed’, Belfast Telegraph, Mar 23rd 2001 Martin Breen and Ciaran O Neill, ‘Lakes searched in hunt for body’ Belfast Telegraph, Mar 24th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Wife and second man are quizzed by detectives’, Belfast Telegraph, Mar 24th 2001 ‘Three charged with murder’, Fermanagh Herald, Mar 28th 2001 ‘Three charged with murder’, Ulster Herald, Mar 29th 2001 ‘Murder accused trio are remanded in custody’, Belfast Telegraph, Apr 2nd 2001 Jerry McLaughlin, ‘Woman on charges of murdering husband’, Irish Examiner, Apr 3rd 2001 ‘Three accused of murdering Manorhamilton native’ Leitrim Observer, Apr 4th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Murder rap in sex film, court told, Belfast Telegraph, Apr 6th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Sex video twist to murder rap court hearing, Belfast Telegraph, Apr 7th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘RUC divers search for missing man’, Belfast Telegraph, Apr 9th 2001 ‘“Serious concerns” regarding bail for wife of murdered Manor native’, Leitrim Observer, Apr 18th 2001 ‘Crown claims sex in a car couple killed her husband’, Leitrim Observer, May 9th 2001 ‘Murder trial hears of sex blackmail racket claims, Belfast Telegraph, May 19th 2001 Ann O’Loughlin and Isabel Hurley, ‘Body link to sex triangle’, Evening Herald, June 4th 2001 Aideen Sheehan and Ann O’Loughlin, ‘Body in woods may be link in sex triangle trial mystery’, Irish Independent, June 5th 2001 Leonie Gohery, ‘Decomposed body believed to be missing McGinley’, Leitrim OBserver, June 6th 2001 ‘Ballinamore body linked to sex triangle trial riddle’, Anglo Celt, June 7th 2001 Liam Collins, ‘A sorry tale of sex, blackmail and death’, Sunday Independent, June 10th 2001 ‘Three co-accused in case sent forward for trial’, Fermanagh Herald, Jan 30th 2002 ‘Submission heard in McGinley case’, Fermanagh Herald, Mar 27th 2002 ‘Murdered McGinley received three severe blows to the head’, Leitrim Observer, Apr 3rd 2002 ‘McPadden walks free in McGinley case’, Fermanagh Herald, Apr 17th 2002 ‘McGinley murder trial gets underway’, Fermanagh Herald, Sept 11th 2002 ‘Wife and lover deny murder’, Belfast Telegraph, Sept 16th 2002 ‘Husband murdered by wife and lover’, Belfast Telegraph, Sept 17th 2002 Michael Donnelly, ‘Wife and her lover killed husband to keep affair secret’, Evening Herald, Sept 17th 2002 Aileen Murphy, ‘Plastic wrap link to body’, Fermanagh Herald, Sept 18th 2002 John Keogh, ‘Lovers killed husband in a fit of passion’, Evening Herald, Sept 18th 2002 Aileen Murphy, ‘Murder trial told of family debt’, Ulster Herald, Sept 19th 2002 Phil Jones, ‘Girl found skeleton in woodland’, Evening Herald, Sept 19th 2002 Louisa Nesbitt, ‘Babysitter weeps over photos of children’, Irish Examiner, Sept 20th 2002 ‘Last hours of murder victim are recalled’, Belfast Telegraph, Sept 20th 2002 ‘Real IRA threat to murdered man’, Belfast Telegraph, Sept 21st 2002 ‘Murder accused flirted with hotel boss, court told’, Belfast Telegraph, Sept 24th 2002 Michael Donnelly, ‘Accused flirted with hotel owner, murder trial told’, Irish Independent, Sept 24th 2002 ‘Business partner caught with pants down’, Fermanagh Herald, Sept 25th 2002 ‘Jury hears motive for murder was passion and money’, Leitrim Observer, Sept 25th 2002 ‘Court hears murdered man got his dues’, Evening Herald, Sept 26th 2002 ‘Victim got what was coming to him’, Belfast Telegraph, Sept 26th 2002 John Keogh, ‘Murder accused said the victim would be pushing up heather, court told’, Evening Herald, Sept 27th 2002 ‘Accused feared for her husband’, Evening Herald, Oct 1st 2002 ‘Court hears murder victim hired a hitman’, Leitrim Observer, Oct 2nd 2002 ‘Murdered man friend with ‘criminal fraternity’’, Fermanagh Herald, Oct 2nd 2002 ‘Jury told Gerard McGinley was a convicted rapist’, Leitrim Observer, Oct 2nd 2002 ‘Scraps of love note found in accused’s van’, Belfast Telegraph, Oct 3rd 2002 ‘Wife not told she was suspect’, Belfast Telegraph, oct 4th 2002 ‘Priest tells murder trial of warning’, Belfast Telegraph, Oct 8th 2002 For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com