Lines of Enquiry

GoLoud

Former Garda detective John Sweetman presents Lines of Enquiry, a GoLoud Original true-crime podcast examining some of Ireland’s most compelling crimes, uncovering how evidence, chance, and persistence can bring answers, and sometimes only more questions.

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/

Contact: LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com

Lines of Enquiry is brought to you by Finance Solutions. For expert mortgage advice, visit financesolutions.ie today

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33 episodes
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Avg 47 min
English

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Tuesday · 32 min
Incident Brief: The Sligo Hate Murders
In April 2022, a series of violent attacks plunged Sligo into fear. Within the space of four days, two men were murdered in their homes and a third was left permanently injured after meeting a younger man through a dating app. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Incident Brief, John Sweetman examines the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, and the subsequent race to find the attacker before he struck again. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Sam Hobson Produced by Sam Hobson Senior Producer Siobhan Walsh Executive Produced by Eoin Brennan Sound Design and Editing by Neil Kavanagh Audio Editing Support by Ed Smith Legal, Marketing and Social Media Support by the Team at GoLoud Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree
October 20 · 53 min
Case Notes #016: Instinct and Empathy
In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Pat Marry, a retired Detective Inspector with An Garda Síochána and author of several books, including The Making of a Detective. Drawing on a career spanning more than three decades, Pat reflects on the persistence, attention to detail and empathy required to investigate serious crime. He revisits the murders of Rachel O’Reilly and Mary Gough, explaining how instinct made him challenge the accounts given by their husbands, Joe O’Reilly and Colin Whelan. Pat describes what he recalls as pioneering uses of mobile phone location analysis and computer evidence in these murder investigations, and the painstaking work required to turn emerging techniques into evidence that could stand up in court. Pat also speaks about investigating the murder of his colleague, Garda Adrian Donohoe, and the personal strain of seeking justice for someone he knew and worked alongside.
October 13 · 50 min
Case Notes #015: Past Cases, Present Questions
In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, Nules Ní Chléirigh, creator and host of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, returns for another conversation with John Sweetman. This time, they look further back into Ireland’s criminal history, discussing Maamtrasna and the murder at Shandy Hall. They explore wrongful convictions, language barriers at trial and the lack of forensic science during these times, and how these stories live on generations later. Turning to more recent investigations, John and Nules discuss the challenges of revisiting unsolved murders and disappearances, including Raonaid Murray, Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. They reflect on the limits of searches, the potential of advances in forensic techniques, and why a lack of public updates does not necessarily mean an investigation has stopped. They also discuss how speaking with families can reveal a person beyond the headlines, sharing interests, ambitions and everyday details that help ensure a victim’s life is not defined solely by their death. If you’d like to get in touch, email LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com and follow @linesofenquirypodcast on Instagram. This episode was brought to you by Finance Solutions, because when you’re making a decision as important as buying a home, you want to know you’re dealing with people you can trust. Finance Solutions helps thousands of people buy homes or switch their mortgages in Ireland every year, and with more than 3,000 five star Google reviews, there are plenty of people who’ve already put their trust in their team. They offer simple, mortgage advice, tailored to you and your circumstances. Visit financesolutions.ie to get started. A short 10 minute call is all it takes to help them understand your needs.
October 6 · 41 min
Case Notes #014: Evidence in Focus
We have reached the end of Season 4 of Lines of Enquiry. While the team are planning, researching, writing and recording Season 5, John is sitting down with a series of guests for Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes. In this episode, John is joined by Paul Curran, a retired Detective Sergeant with An Garda Síochána. Paul spent over 27 years working in major crime scene investigation, specialising in Garda photography, aerial and drone photography, and facial identification using EvoFIT. In this conversation, Paul reflects on the role of photography in serious investigations, from documenting crime scenes and post-mortems to capturing fragile evidence such as fingerprints in blood or dust. He explains why crime scene photography is not about recreating what happened, but carefully recording a scene as it was found. Paul also speaks about the development of forensic photography over his career, from darkrooms and film to digital photography, video walkthroughs, aerial photography and the use of EvoFIT in facial identification. Throughout the episode, he reflects on the responsibility of documenting some of the most serious crime scenes, and the role that careful, accurate photography can play in helping victims and their families.
September 29 · 55 min
Kyran Durnin: Failed by the State
In the summer of 2024 social workers from Tusla were trying to establish the whereabouts of an eight-year-old boy, named Kyran Durnin. They had concerns about his welfare, and where he might be living. In July, a child was brought to meet them, and they were told it was Kyran. A second meeting followed in early August, and again the social workers were told the child was Kyran. Then, weeks later, Kyran and his mother Dayla were reported missing. As Gardaí begin investigating, they obtained family photographs of Kyran and showed them to the officials who attended those meetings. Social workers realise the boy in the photographs is not the child they met. Soon, detectives realise they can find no trace of Kyran in recent months, or even years. Eventually gardai will tell the public they believe Kyran to be “missing, presumed dead”. This week we look at the still unresolved case of the missing Kyran Durnin, an ongoing investigation which has now for two years been trying to establish where Kyran is, and what may have happened to him. Alongside the garda investigation, there have been serious questions raised about how a child could disappear from the view of all public authorities for so long without anyone realising he was gone. This episode is not an attempt to solve an active case from the outside. It is an examination of the verified timeline and the gaps within it, that allowed Kyran to vanish. Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Written by Darren Cleary Script Edited by Siobhan Walsh, Sam Hobson and Eoin Brennan Produced by Sam Hobson Senior Producer 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
September 22 · 55 min
Anne & Annie Gillespie: A Cruel Twist | Part 2
In the aftermath of the 1988 shooting at Sligo Hospital, Gardaí were drawn into a dramatic confrontation that saw a car plunge into the murky waters of Donegal Bay. As the investigation moved towards trial, the case became about more than the tragic death of Anne and Annie Gillespie. It exposed the limits of the justice system. In court, questions arose over mental health and responsibility, with consequences that would haunt the Gillespie family for decades. 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 Producer 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
September 15 · 54 min
Anne & Annie Gillespie: Dark Obsession | Part I
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
September 8 · 49 min
Siobhán Hynes: Left for Dead
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
September 3 · 1 min
Lines of Enquiry Live: Dublin Show Announcement
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
September 1 · 1 hr 3 min
Declan Flynn: Murder in the Park
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
August 25 · 54 min
Nancy Nolan: A Haunting Crime
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
August 18 · 1 hr 7 min
The Kerry Babies: An Irish Scandal
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
August 11 · 1 hr 6 min
Irene White: Price of Murder
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
August 4 · 55 min
Siobhan McLaughlin: A Savage End
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
July 28 · 1 hr 11 min
Lying Eyes: The Hitman Plot
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
July 21 · 1 hr 15 min
Karen Buckley: A Fateful Encounter
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
July 20 · 26 min
Case Notes #013: What Comes Next
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.
July 16 · 23 min
Case Notes #012: Kelly Lynch Peer Review
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.
July 14 · 42 min
Case Notes #011: Fingerprints and Forensics
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.
S1 · E7
July 7 · 27 min
Case Notes #010: Crisis Negotiation
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.

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