Lines of Enquiry

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes producer Siobhan Maguire steps out from behind the scenes to share a significant update on one of season one’s most troubling stories, the death of 23 year old Kelly Lynch in Monaghan. Siobhan outlines new findings from an independent pathology review commissioned by the Katie Trust, including questions over the original cause of death, issues around a lack of evidence, and indications that third party involvement may no longer be ruled out.She and John discuss what this could mean for the ongoing investigation, the unanswered questions faced by Kelly’s family, and the implications of decisions made in the crucial early hours of the case.Then, Siobhan turns interviewer, putting your questions to John about his time in An Garda Síochána, the emotional impact of revisiting difficult cases for the podcast, and what listeners can expect from season three of Lines of Enquiry.Lines of Enquiry returns next week, on Tuesday 14th April. 

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, retired Detective Superintendent Frank Keenaghan takes us inside one of the most shocking cases in recent Irish history, the abduction and murder of 24 year old student Jastine Valdez.Frank led the frantic 24 hour search in May 2018, from the first early morning briefing to the moment a member of the public spotted the suspect’s car, and the dramatic scene where Mark Hennessy was shot by gardaí.Frank explains the race against time in a live abduction, the critical decision to release the suspect car’s registration to the public, and how small details, including a blood soaked note and a single guard’s instinct on a Wicklow hillside, ultimately led to finding Jastine’s body.Drawing on 40 years in An Garda Síochána, he reflects on the emotional toll of cases like this, the importance of public cooperation, and why gut instinct still matters alongside procedure and forensics. 

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, renowned courtroom artist Mike O’Donnell takes us inside the hidden world of Ireland’s criminal courts as seen from his sketchpad. In his day to day, Mike sits just feet away from judges, juries, gardaí, families and some of the country’s most high profile defendants, capturing not only the people in the dock but the tension, emotion and fragile humanity of the courtroom itself.He explains how he became Ireland’s first full time professional courtroom artist, and how his process has developed over the years, moving to ink and learning what exactly to look for when trying to distill an entire trial into a single image.Mike reflects on what it is like to sit behind some of Ireland’s most notorious figures and study them at close range, from a Bible waving Enoch Burke to Conor McGregor losing his temper, and even having tart and tea with Gerry Hutch as he draws him in his home. He shares what years of observing faces in murder trials, gangland prosecutions and other high stakes cases have taught him about the best and worst of human nature.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, former Garda Detective Sergeant Alan Bailey takes us inside the hidden world of cold case investigation. With more than 200 unsolved homicides sitting on the desks of just eight detectives, he explains how and why an investigation goes cold, what it takes to justify reopening a case, and why there is always still hope.Alan talks through some of the most significant cases he worked on, including the murder of Nora Sheehan. He reflects on the impact of modern forensics and the importance of preserving evidence, that allowed this case to be solve four decades after it happened.Having been a lead detective on Ireland’s most prolific missing women cases, which became known as the Vanishing Triangle, Alan shares the immense challenges of working on cases with no suspect, and sometimes no body. After searches for some of these women began again recently, he shares what it takes to trigger new digs and how seemingly minor details can suddenly become pivotal.

As season 2 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 12 new stories already being worked on by the Lines of Enquiry team. If you would like to get in touch, follow the Instagram page @linesofenquirypodcast or email us [email protected]

As students across the country prepare to go back to school after the summer holidays of 2016, Mary Coll arrived at her daughter Clodagh’s house in Castlerahan, County Cavan. Clodagh hadn’t shown up to meet her mother earlier that morning and Mary couldn’t get in touch. When she arrived at the house Clodagh shared with her husband Alan Hawe, and their three sons Liam, Niall and Ryan, Mary found a note taped to the back door warning her not to come in. Mary called the Gardaí who arrived on the scene and informed her of the tragic news - the Hawe family were all dead.In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John looks at a devastating case that stunned the country and left an entire nation struggling to understand what had happened. This episode contains mention of coercive control and domestic violence. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Women’s Aid on 1800 341 900. This episode also contains reference to suicide, if you need help please reach out to Samaritans on 116 123. If you might be interested in a Lines of Enquiry live show - Let us know by filling out this survey: bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057 We would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Darren Cleary Script editing by Eoin Brennan Produced by Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Maguire 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 Bríd Walsh and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn ReeArtwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

In the August of 1976, a young Dublin woman named Elizabeth Plunkett, went missing while on holidays in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow. Her friends and family searched through sand dunes, forests and along the roads for a trace of her - All to no avail.  Across the country, another young woman Mary Duffy read a newspaper article about Elizabeth Plunkett’s case with tears in her eyes. A few days later, she too vanished. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John takes us back to Ireland’s first serial killers and the cross country man hunt to find them and finally bring them to justice.This episode contains mention of rape and sexual assault. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.If you might be interested in a Lines of Enquiry live show - Let us know by filling out this survey: bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057We would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcastPresented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Siobhan Walsh and Eoin BrennanProduced by Siobhan WalshProduced by Siobhan MaguireExecutive Produced by Eoin BrennanExecutive Produced by Ruth FitzsimonsSound Design and Editing by Neil KavanaghAudio Editing Support by Ed SmithMarketing Support by Bríd Walsh and Róisín ReillySocial Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn ReeArtwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

In October 1986, 13-year-old Philip Cairns became one of the most recognisable faces in Ireland.The boy left his home in Dublin to walk back to school after lunch and vanished without a trace. His disappearance gripped the nation, changed how parents viewed their children’s safety, and left a family living with unanswered questions for nearly four decades.In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John revisits one of Ireland’s most haunting missing person cases and asks what really happened to the boy who never came home.An Garda Síochána have told us the investigation into the disappearance of Philip Cairns remains active and ongoing. Gardaí are keen to speak to people who may have been young at the time Philip disappeared and not in a position to talk to them, but who may now feel able to come forward.  Even the smallest piece of information could help investigators. Anyone with information is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda Station on 01 666 6500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. If for any reason, you do not feel comfortable making that contact directly, you can email [email protected] and we will ensure that any credible information is passed on to investigating Gardaí on your behalf.If you might be interested in a Lines of Enquiry live show - Let us know by filling out this survey: bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057 We would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Emma McMenemyScript Edited by Darren Cleary Produced by Siobhan WalshProduced by Siobhan MaguireExecutive Produced by Eoin BrennanExecutive Produced by Ruth FitzsimonsSound Design and Editing by Neil KavanaghAudio Editing Support by Ed SmithMarketing Support by Bríd Walsh and Róisín ReillySocial Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn ReeArtwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

In August of 1987, 19 year old Trevor O’Keeffe embarked his journey home to Ireland after a brief holiday France. He planned to hitchhike across the north of the country, through the vineyards of the world-renowned Champagne province. Trevor was unaware of the warnings against hitchhiking that had been made to young men across the region. He had not heard the local rumours about a serial killer stalking the area. He did not know about the 6 other young men already disappeared.Trevor’s body was found in a French forest just days after he began traveling. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John explores what happens when a serious crime happens in another country. He asks how different laws, languages and police forces affect the search for answers and the fight for justice. If you might be interested in a Lines of Enquiry live show - Let us know by filling out this survey: bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057 We would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Darren Cleary Script Edited by Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Maguire 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 Bríd Walsh and Róisín Reilly Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree