Mens Rea: A true crime podcast

Mens Rea: A true crime podcast

Mens Rea True Crime

Mens Rea is the legal principle of intent that must be proved in a number of crimes, such as murder. It means literally, "guilty mind". Mens Rea Podcast explores the most notorious crimes from Ireland and the UK and the court cases that followed. Join your host, Sinead, every fortnight when a new case is discussed.

41 minutes 54 seconds

136 - David Byrne: Murder in a Dark Corner

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.
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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:
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

29 February 2024, 5:30 pm
44 minutes 13 seconds

135: The Superglue killer: The murder of Julie Tennant

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/
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Sources:
“RUC renews missing plea”, Belfast Newsletter, Aug 12th 2000
Maureen Coleman, “Parents in appeal for missing daughter”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 15th 2000
Martin Breen “RUC seal house in hunt for lost Julie”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 22nd 2000
Martin Breen, “Search for Julie, man is arrested”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 24th 2000
“Missing Julie man quizzed”, Belfast Newsletter, Aug 24th 2000
Ciaran McGuigan “Agony for Julie family as body discovered”, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 25th 2000
For a full list of sources, please visit www.mensreapod.com

24 January 2024, 7:00 am
8 minutes 2 seconds

Listen Now: 48 Hours

One of television's most popular true-crime series is now adapted for your ears with the “48 Hours” podcast. Every week, award-winning CBS News correspondents investigate the most intriguing crime and justice cases. Here’s a preview of a new “48 Hours” episode, “The Night of
the Idaho Student Murders”. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant sits down with family members of Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle, two of the four University of Idaho students shockingly murdered the night of November 13, 2022. You can hear the rest of this episode on the “48 Hours” podcast from CBS News. For even more “48 Hours”, listen to the new “Post Mortem” series every Tuesday, where the correspondents and producers share their first hand experiences reporting on the compelling cases they cover.
Listen to 48 Hours ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts: Wondery.fm/48_MR

16 October 2023, 10:00 am
39 minutes 33 seconds

134 - A Question of Self Defence: The murder of Leslie Kenny

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/
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Sources:
DPP V Brendan O’Sullivan appeal document
“20 months in jail for heroin addict”, Irish Independent, Oct 4th 2003
Gordon Deegan, “Widespread heroin use may increase in Clare”, Clare Champion, Oct 10th 2003
Gordon Deegan, “Man faces charge over threatening behaviour in court case”, Irish Independent, Sep 29th 2005
Gordon Deegan, “Man charged after disturbance forced judge to suspend court”, Irish Examiner, Sep 29th 2005
For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

19 September 2023, 2:00 am
39 minutes 58 seconds

133 - Killer on the Run: The murder of Emer O'Loughlin

If you have any information on the whereabouts of John Griffin, you can contact Gort Garda Station on (091) 636400, the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111 or your local law enforcement agency.
In 2005, a caravan caught fire in rural north Clare, Emer O'Loughlin's family were initially relieved to see that it wasn't the one she shared with her partner Shane. But when human remains were found inside the charred wreckage, and there was still no sign of the artistic Emer, hope that everything would be ok was quickly dashed.
In the years that followed, so would hope that Emer's killer might be brought to justice.
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:
Cracking Crime Emer O’Loughlin, RTE, available on YouTube
Marú Inár Measc Season 2 Ep 2, TG4, available on TG4 Player
John Fallon, “Gardai seek to identify woman killed in caravan fire”, Irish Examiner, Apr 11th 2005
Joe O Muircheartaigh, “Gardai’s open mind over fire”, Clare Champion, Apr 15th 2005
Stephen Glennon, “Appeal for witnesses in bid to solve mystery of body in burned caravan”, Connacht Tribune, Apr 15th 2005
Gordon Deegan, “Suspicion over death of woman in caravan blaze”, Irish Independent, Apr 16th 2005
Pat Flynn, “Probe after DNA helps identify woman in caravan inferno”, Sunday Independent, Apr 17th 2005
Pat Flynn, “Bizzare link probe to art student’s death in blaze”, Irish Independent, Apr 18th 2005

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

12 September 2023, 2:00 am
38 minutes 32 seconds

132 - Nagged to Kill: The death of Gary Cotter

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

28 August 2023, 2:00 am
58 minutes 21 seconds

131 - For the Love of Money: The murder of Paul Jones

In September of 2019, Paul Jones was found dead in the hallway of his home on Bandon Road, in Cork. The 54 year old had a chequered past, but for the last decade had lived a quiet and pious life, bothering no one. Despite this, he had suffered 25 stab wounds to his side and had been hit in the head with a long, machete-like blade. Though he had no known quarrels with anyone, there was someone in Paul Jones' life who had a reason to do him harm. 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: Kevin O Neill and Noel Baker, “Murder probe after body is found”, Irish Examiner, Sept 9th 2019 William Dunne, “Tributes paid to dad found dead in Cork city as gardai launch murder investigation”, Irish Mirror, Sept 9th 2019 Ann Murphy, “Murdered man had criminal convictions but had found God”, Evening Echo, Sept 10th 2019 “Gardai search credit union CCTV in bid to trace killer”, Evening Echo, Sept 10th 2019 Olivia Kelleher, “Two held after man’s murder in Cork”, Irish Examiner, Sept 11th 2019 Liam Heylin, “Murder victim’s sister arrested for burglary”, Irish Examiner, Sept 13th 2019 for a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

22 August 2023, 2:00 am
42 minutes 2 seconds

130 - Drugs, Death and Butchery: The Deaths of Vincent Costello, Morgan Costello and Damien Monahan

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

7 August 2023, 2:00 am
43 minutes 7 seconds

129 - A Battle for Justice: The murder of Brian Fizgerald

In the early hours of 29th November, 2002, 34 year old father of two arrived home from working his shift as the security manager at a popular nightclub in Limerick City. He was shot to death in his driveway in a suspected gangland killing. Would gardai be able to find enough evidence to bring members of one of Limerick's most notorious gangs before a court? 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: Barry Duggan, “Mean Streets”, O’Brien Press. Stephen Hayes, “Dad shot down at family home”, Evening Herald, Nov 29th 2002. “Anti-drugs nightclub bouncer shot dead outside his home”, Irish Independent, Nov 30th 2002. John Lawrence, “Murdered nightclub bouncer intimidated by drugs gang”, Evening Herald, Dec 2nd 2002. Mairead Ni Chaoimh, “Murder suspect may have fled”, LimericK Leader, Dec 2nd 2002. Cormac O’Keefe, “Murder frightens club staff”, Irish Examiner, Dec 4th 2002. Eugene Hogan, “Bid to clean up violence on streets”, Evening Herald, Dec 20th 2002. Eugene Hogan, “Divers find gun probably used to murder club bouncer”, Irish Independent, Dec 23rd 2002. “Death probe four released”, Irish Independent, Oct 25th 2003. Eugene Hogan, “No trial in hero bouncer murder”, Evening Herald, Jul 23rd 2004. Eugene Hogan, “Killers of club bouncer may never be tried”, Irish Independent, Jul 23rd 2004. for a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

24 July 2023, 5:00 pm
42 minutes 4 seconds

128 - A Questionable Conviction: The Deaths of Margaret and Martin Glynn

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

10 July 2023, 9:30 am
38 minutes 51 seconds

127 - An Unusual Defence: Layla Brennan

In March of 1999, Phillip Colgan and his wife Mary walked into Rathfarnham Garda Station and with a story to tell. It would be his first of many., and it would be up to a jury to decide which was true - and who killed Layla Brennan. 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: Missing, Presumed, book by Alan Bailey. Tomas MacRuairi, “Chef jailed for eight years after knifepoint rape of widow”, Irish Press, June 20th 1992. “Elderly woman subjected to degrading ordeal”, Irish Examiner, June 30th 1992. Frank Courell, “Chef gets 8 years for vicious rape of widow”, Irish Independent, June 30th 1992. “Man, 26, charged with Dublin Mountain murder”, Sunday Independent, March 7th 1999. “Gardai appeal for help”, Evening Echo, March 6th 1999. Sean McCarthaigh, “Man charged with woman’s murder”, Irish Examiner, March 8th 1999. “Victim remembered as caring woman”, The Echo, March 11th 1999. Yvonne Kinsella, “Grief as tragic victim is buried”, The Echo, March 11th 1999. “Brennan murder accused appears in District Court”, April 6th 1999. John Lee, “Victim’s family tell neighbours ‘thanks’”, The Echo, May 13th 1999. “Prostitute’s body dumped in ditch after money row”, Evening Herald, October 24th 2000. Suzanne Mac Manus, “Wife of murder suspect says he told her he strangled prostitute”, Irish Examiner, October 25th 2000. Suzanne Mac Manus, “Husband told me about killing prostitute”, Irish Independent, October 25th 2000. Suzanne Mac Manus, “Gay link to girl’s death”, Evening Herald, October 25th 2000. For a full list of sources, see mensreapod.com

3 July 2023, 2:00 am
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