Lines of Enquiry

In County Donegal in 1988, 18-year-old Anne Gillespie was looking forward to a future beyond her hometown of Ballybofey. Despite her close friendships and a tight bond with her mother Annie, after Anne sat her leaving cert she had started to dream of a life of her own. But not everyone in her life was happy when Anne started to grow more independent - and soon she and her mother would find themselves targeted by a man consumed by rage, jealousy and obsession. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Written by Anna Priestland Script Edited by Siobhan Walsh, Sam Hobson and Eoin Brennan Produced by Sam Hobson Senior Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Media Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

In Connemara, on a cold winter’s night in 1998, two sisters, Aine and Siobhán Hynes left their home and headed out to meet friends, driving to the disco in the nearby coastal village of Carraroe. The next morning, Aine was woken up by her mother asking where was Siobhán? The 17-year-old never made it home. In this episode, John explores the harsh and isolated landscape of Connemara, and how fear spread across the tightknit community after the tragic and cruel events of December 6th 1998. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Siobhan Walsh Script Edited by Eoin Brennan Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

John Sweetman invites you to join him for a special milestone: the first ever Lines of Inquiry live podcast, happening December 2nd at the O’Reilly Theatre in Dublin. Across one evening, we’ll revisit the stories Ireland can’t forget—tracking the crucial clues that helped piece investigations together, and the small details revealed in court that brought justice into focus. John will also be joined on stage by special guests, offering expert testimony and firsthand insight from working on some of Ireland’s most notorious crimes. Tickets on sale now: https://takeyourseats.ticketsolve.com/shows/873690336/events

As Declan Flynn made his way home in the early hours of September 10th 1982, he did not know what danger lurked in nearby Fairview park on the north side of Dublin City. In the dark shadows, was a gang with a mission. That night, kind and innocent Declan became their unknowing target. In this episode, John explores the tragic case of Declan Flynn, a vulnerable man trying to live his life in a country where simply being yourself was considered a crime. Lives of Enquiry is going on stage for our first ever live show on December 2nd in the O’Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Tickets go on sale on September 3rd from www.oreillytheatre.com . To get a reminder, and a link to buy tickets, sign up to our mailing list here: https://bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057 Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by John Sweetman Script Edited by Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

80 year old, Nancy Nolan didn’t answer her daughter’s calls on the 16th of February, 2000. Her neighbour noticed that her car hadn’t moved in a few days. They were worried about her and sent Gardaí out to check in. The Gardaí found Nancy Nolan lying in a pool of blood in her hallway. It was clear this was not an accident. For locals in the small village of Ballygar, Co. Roscommon, Nancy’s death dredged up memories of another murder nearly 20 years earlier that still haunted the village. In this week’s Lines of Enquiry, John revisits the case that shocked the small community and explores how the impact of Nancy’s death rippled across the country. Lives of Enquiry will be going on stage for our first ever live show on December 2nd in the O’Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Tickets go on sale on September 3rd from www.oreillytheatre.com . To get a reminder, and a link to buy tickets, sign up to our mailing list here: https://bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057 Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Anna Priestland Script Edited by Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

On 16th of April 1984, a man jogging on a beach in West Kerry found the body of a newborn baby. The child had been stabbed to death. Nobody knew who his parents were, where he had come from, how he handed up on that beach – and nobody knew his name. The discovery on the beach would lead to multiple garda investigations and would see a small family from rural County Kerry thrown into the national spotlight. It would become a case centred around staggering claims made against one young woman, and allegations of intimidation and coercion against the country’s leading detectives. In this episode, John tells us about how the search to solve the case of that baby on the beach in County Kerry would become a national scandal that would change Ireland forever. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by David Malone Script Edited by Eoin Brennan and Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Walsh & Aoife Plunkett Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

Irene White woke up as normal on the 6th of April, 2005. She brought her three kids to school, chatted to the other parents, and returned home where she began washing up dishes. Irene’s mother Maureen lived in a mobile home in the garden and had a routine of calling in to her daughter for a chat and a cup of tea. On this day, she found her daughter on the floor of her kitchen, surrounded by blood. Her eyes were open and she still had her washing up gloves on. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John looks back at a case that evaded Dundalk Gardaí for years, until a critical and unexpected break in the case paved the way for detectives to delve further into the case and unmask the people behind a murder that shocked Ireland. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Siobhan Walsh Script Edited by Eoin Brennan Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

Brian Kearney arrived to work shortly before 8am on his 49th birthday – February 28th, 2006. Before he left home that morning he poured his 3 year old son Dan a bowl of Coco Pops. Later that morning, Dan’s aunt Niamh arrived at the home. She found the young child alone, crying. His mammy, Siobhan McLaughlin, had never come downstairs that morning. After an early suspicion of suicide, one piece of evidence was essential in upgrading the case to a murder investigation - A purple vacuum flex found at the scene. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman revisits the tragic death of 38-year-old Siobhan McLaughlin in Goatstown, South Dublin and the search for her killer. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by John Sweetman Script Edited by Eoin Brennan Produced by Siobhan Walsh & Aoife Plunkett Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Executive Produced by Ruth Fitzsimons Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

When Gardaí are called out following a burglary at the offices of a family run business in Ennis, Co. Clare, they aren't overly concerned. Two computers and some small items have been stolen. But when a hitman shows up at the home of the two young brothers who run the business gardaí realise there is much more to the case. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman, brings us a case so strange that, at first, even gardaí couldn’t believe it was real. We bring you through the web of online connections that led a hitman from the United States to County Clare, to sting operation to try to catch the assassin, the involvement of the FBI, and the trail of emails that revealed the full and incredible story. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Anna Priestland Produced by Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

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 Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Marketing Support by Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Darren Cleary, creator of Lines of Enquiry and Head of Digital Audio at Bauer Media Audio Ireland. Together, they look back on the previous season, reflecting on cases including Elaine O’Hara, Patricia O’Connor, Barbara Walsh, Ciara Breen and Philip Cairns. They also discuss the importance of revisiting unresolved cases, and the work that goes into making the podcast. John and Darren also look ahead to the next season, including revealing the first episode of season 3, along with announcing a new longer-form documentary series focusing on a Dublin murder case from the 1970s.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Darren Cleary, creator of Lines of Enquiry and Head of Digital Audio at Bauer Media Audio Ireland. Darren gives an update on the case of Kelly Lynch following the completion of a Garda peer review into the original investigation. He discusses what Kelly’s family say they were told, the recommendations now being worked through and the file being prepared for the coroner. John and Darren also discuss the differing medical opinions around Kelly’s death, before moving into a wider conversation about what happens at a crime scene and why scene preservation, evidence gathering and chain of custody matter.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Ray Kane, his former colleague in the Garda Technical Bureau and Fingerprint Department. Ray spent more than 30 years in policing, much of it in the Garda Technical Bureau. Together, Ray and John reflect on their experience in the Fingerprint Department, the unpredictable nature of crime scene work, and the responsibility of preserving and interpreting evidence in serious investigations to give victims of crime a voice. Ray also speaks about the emotional impact of working around death and serious crime, and how one small piece of evidence can have a significant impact when solving a case. Now a Consultant Forensic Expert, Ray also discusses his current role as Evidence Manager with the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention in Tuam, where forensic standards are being applied as part of the effort to recover and identify the remains of children who died at the former institution.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Martin Egan, retired Detective Sergeant with An Garda Síochána. Martin spent 30 years in the force and was also trained as a Garda crisis negotiator. He reflects on the communication, patience and judgement required in critical incidents, where the aim is to bring people to safety while working as part of a wider Garda response. Martin also speaks about the case involving Jasmine McMonagle in Co. Donegal in 2019, where he was part of the response team that arrived at the house and negotiated with her killer. He discusses the difficult decisions made that morning, the importance of protecting the children in the house, and how gardaí deal with the most challenging parts of the job.

As season 3 comes to an end, host of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman reveals what to expect over the next few weeks from Case Notes. He shares the date for the return of the narrative episodes, with many new stories already being worked on by the Lines of Enquiry team. John also notes some recent feedback from listeners. If you would like to get in touch, follow the Instagram page @linesofenquirypodcast or email us linesofenquiry@goloudnow.com

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John continues his conversation with Frank Greaney, Courts Correspondent and award-winning journalist and broadcaster. Frank explains the work that goes into complex criminal investigations, the role of An Garda Síochána, and the way evidence is presented and tested in court. He also reflects on public reactions to sentencing and why court outcomes can sometimes shock people. The episode also brings us inside Frank’s day-to-day work as a courts correspondent, from following trials and filing reports to explaining complex proceedings clearly and responsibly. Throughout, he returns to the importance of experience and humanity when reporting on cases that continue to affect victims, families and communities long after a trial has ended.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Frank Greaney, Courts Correspondent and award-winning journalist and broadcaster. Frank has spent much of his career reporting from courtrooms on some of the most high-profile criminal trials in Ireland, including several we have covered on Lines of Enquiry. He reflects on the responsibility that comes with reporting on live cases, the legal restrictions that shape what can and cannot be said publicly, and the importance of accuracy, fairness and restraint when covering criminal trials. Frank discusses the pressure of reporting on cases under intense public scrutiny, including the murder trial of Ana Kriegel, where he was present throughout the proceedings as a daily court reporter. He also speaks about the murder of Patricia O’Connor, a case he covered extensively in court and later explored in his book Crowded House, as well as through his script for Lines of Enquiry.

Hi! John here. I just wanted to drop in with a recommendation. If you find it difficult nodding off after the show, or just want to relax to the ambient sounds of some of Ireland's most scenic spots, we want to introduce you to GoLoud's latest original stream - GoLoud Sleep Sounds. This specialized series is a calming collection of immersive 10-hour soundscapes, with each episode carefully tailored for anyone looking for a calmer bedtime routine. The long-form, entirely uninterrupted audio is designed specifically to create a soothing, protected environment that can be played through the night or as a calming backdrop during moments of rest and relaxation. Within this stream, there is no talking, no suspenseful stories, and absolutely no commercial interruptions to startle you awake. Instead, Sleep Sounds atmosphericially transports your senses to landscapes across Ireland, from the cadence of the waves at Curracloe Beach in spring and Howth Harbour at sunset, to the isolated Midlands on a stormy night, the wind through the Wicklow Mountains in winter, or the deep shadows of Dublin after dark. This soothing ambience flows continuously through the night, allowing you to completely switch off the outside world. GoLoud Sleep Sounds is available now on the GoLoud app or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply press play, put the phone down, and let it do the rest. Have a listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/033wsfw3b3SrnBby4xyZhf?si=c78b9fe42b4949fd

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Geoff Knupfer, former lead investigator with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains. For almost two decades, Geoff led searches for some of the Disappeared, those abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles, helping to return loved ones to families who had spent years waiting for answers. Geoff reflects on the unique challenge of turning the commission from a reactive process into a proactive investigative operation, and the importance of approaching the work as a humanitarian mission rather than a criminal investigation. He discusses the care and persistence required to build trust, recover remains, support families and work within strict legal limits. Before his work with the commission, Geoff spent 30 years with Greater Manchester Police, where he was involved in major investigations and cold case reviews, including the continued search for victims of the Moors murders. He reflects on how that experience shaped his understanding of unresolved loss, forensic recovery and the long search for truth. If you have information for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, you can email secretary@iclvr.ie or leave a confidential voice message on +353 1 602 8655.

Are you a fan of Lines of Enquiry and narrative podcasts? Would you have the skills or the experience to become part of the team? We’re looking for a Narrative Podcast Producer at GoLoud to help create and shape the stories behind one of Ireland’s leading podcasts. You’ll research, script and produce full episodes, turning complex source material into compelling, narrative driven audio. From building story arcs to crafting scripts for spoken word, you’ll play a key role in bringing each episode to life. You’ll also help develop new ideas, from deep dive investigations to long form series and true crime projects, working across GoLoud to create premium content that connects with audiences. This is a hands on production role, from story sourcing right through to final delivery, working alongside teams across editorial, marketing and production, all while maintaining the highest editorial, legal and creative standards. If you’ve got a background in journalism, podcasting or documentary production, strong storytelling instincts, and a passion for narrative audio. We want to hear from you. Apply now and be part of the next chapter of Lines of Enquiry. Apply here: Narrative Producer, GoLoud