Real Lives Untold

Real Lives Untold is hosted by Sarah O'Connor, a documentary maker and former crime and courts reporter, and Trina O'Connor, a working community criminologist.It is a podcast that focuses on all things crime and human interest, and offers a space for people to tell their stories, raise awareness and help others in similar situations.In season 1, you will hear stories of redemption, restorative justice, stories of survival; the raw, unedited version.Real Lives Untold, coming 17th May.Music from freemusicarchive.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 2 of Real Lives Untold, Trina and Sarah speak to 23-year-old Jody Duggan who survived horrific emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her then boyfriend during their two year relationship. They are also joined by Mary Hayes from Women's Aid who heads up their Too Into You campaign.If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, you can contact Women's Aid on 1800 341 900.Episode recorded and edited by Orla Ormond.Music from freemusicarchive.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Real Lives Untold with Trina O'Connor and Sarah O'Connor.In this episode, hosts Sarah and Trina introduce themselves and tell how the podcast came to be and what you can expect to hear in the upcoming series.Episodes recorded and edited by Orla Ormond.Music from freemusicarchive.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 3 of Real Lives Untold Trina and Sarah speak to Justin Brooks, Director and co-founder of the California Innocence Project, about his work freeing wrongfully convicted and imprisoned individuals, including some who were on death row.Justin's latest book 'You Might Go to Prison, Even Though You're Innocent' is out now.Episode recorded and edited by Orla Ormond.Music from freemusicarchive.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 4, Trina and Sarah speak to Ailbhe Griffith who at the age of 21 was the subject of an horrific sexual assault. Her attacker was caught and jailed for nine years, Ailbhe then decided to meet her attacker as part of a powerful restorative justice journey.More on the film of Ailbhe's story can be found at themeetingfilm.comIf you have been affected by anything brought up in this episode, you can contact the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 778 888 or Women's Aid on 1800 341 900.More information on restorative justice can be found at restorativejustice.ieMusic from freemusicarchive.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between 1993 and 1998 six Irish women, aged from 18 to 28 disappeared without a trace from the area which became known as 'The Vanishing Triangle.'  These unsolved cases resulted in the creation in 1998 of the specialist Garda task force, Operation T.R.A.C.E. One of the women, 26-year-old Annie McCarrick from Long Island, New York had been living in the Sandymount area of Dublin but she vanished in March 1993. The last positive sighting of Annie was in the AIB Sandymount D4 on the morning of March 26th that year. Earlier this year, 30 years on, Annie's case was upgraded to a murder inquiry. Alan Bailey, a retired detective sergeant from Wexford, served as the National Coordinator for the taskforce for thirteen years. He speaks with Trina and Sarah about his involvement in the taskforce, developments in the case of Annie McCarrick and he talks about the valuable work he's doing now . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Trina and Sarah are joined by mother and daughter team Priscilla and Ainie Grainger who have written a book entitled SAFE about their experience of domestic abuse and how they navigated the system. Their point of view is very unique, they tell their story in such a relatable way and even manage at times to bring laughter and dark comedy to what has been a very harrowing ordeal for them.They set up and run a frontline support group called STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN IRELAND which has helped countless women to escape their abusers and provides support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse..Priscilla and Ainie talk call for greater vigilance to tackle the scourge of domestic abuse. According to Priscilla " the only way something will be done about domestic violence is when somebody unfortunately close to the government, when something happens to one of their own." They ask people to look out for friends and family who might be struggling and unable to escape, not to ignore warning signs, and to be willing to instigate the conversation and help others out of their struggle.They want to stress that Stop Domestic Violence In Ireland phone lines are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help anyone in need.(086) 8697022stopdomesticviolenceireland@gmail.comAinie uses social media platforms, snapchat , Instagram, facebook and twitter to raise awareness of domestic violence, the service they provide and reminds us that an often overlooked aspect of domestic violence in the home is the impact it will have on the children involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Lives Untold is hosted by Sarah O'Connor, a documentary maker and former crime and courts reporter, and Trina O'Connor, a working community criminologist.It is a podcast that focuses on all things crime and human interest, and offers a space for people to tell their stories, raise awareness and help others in similar situations.In season 1, Real Lives Untold will tell stories of redemption, restorative justice stories of survival; the raw, unedited version.New episodes coming very soon.Music from freemusicarchive.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 7 we are joined by Karl Ducque who works as a team leader with the TRY project (Targeted Response with Youth) in Dublin. Karl grew up in the flats in Dublin's inner city and talks about feeling like an outsider in school and turning to drugs at a very young age.By the age of 15 he was using heroin and started selling drugs and getting involved in crime because of debt."Acting the gangster basically, wanting to make a name for yourself."He speaks about his struggles with addiction"What addiction does to you is it cuts everything off slow, it cuts your friends off, your family off, it burns all your bridges basically and I went through years of that I suppose....at the end your little spirit is dead....."He speaks to Sarah and Trina about his his views on methadone and his resentment at being prescribed it at a young age.He also talks about his inspiring recovery journey, his determination through the work he does now to deter young people from getting involved in criminality and steer them away from the path he went down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are joined by Ireland's number one female professional Darts player Robyn Byrne. She plays in the World Darts Federation and Professional Darts Corporation. She's the first Irish person to get a gold medal in the European Championships and win the Masters, at any level. Robyn started competing when she was about six.She has represented Ireland at the European Championships in Austria and in England when she won the World Masters in the under 18s category.Despite her achieving what no other Irish man or woman has done before, the story has not made headlines.None of her siblings play the sport so we ask her where her love for DARTs comes from.Robyn is now playing darts at senior level and is the number one female in Ireland, so she has already qualified for the Six Nations, World Cup, World Masters and European Championships for next year - all at senior level.We wish her every success and hope that she takes home the GOLD for Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Sarah and Trina speak with author and RTE Prime Time's Security Correspondent Barry Cummins. Barry talks about growing up in Tallaght in South West Dublin, his path to journalism and how one of the first stories he covered as a local radio journalist was the disappearance of Fiona Pender who was seven months pregnant when she vanished from her home town of Tullamore in County Offaly in August 1996.He has covered numerous stories about the women who vanished from the Leinster area in the 90s and his book Missing was published 20 years ago this year.Barry talks about his work with the families of missing persons since then saying it is an area he has covered a lot of "by chance."He describes the torment that families endure when a loved one goes missing saying there really are no words to sum up what these families have gone through."One thing I have found down the years is that families of missing people are very vulnerable, in many ways they need media, the need the publicity, they need help....sometimes if you knock on a door....they let you in to do an interview....they were grateful for the interest I had but they also realised I could help them in terms of publicity."He talks about the upgrade this year to murder of the case into the disappearance of American woman Annie McCarrick " if it happened today there would be so many other appeals, social media, you might be able to reach the person.....somebody knows."Barry Cummins has been involved as MC since 2013 for the annual Missing Person's Day which takes place in December. "families of missing people are invited to attend and its all about the families."He also talks about recent developments in the ongoing bid by International law enforcement to take down the Kinahan Cartel and the fact that the net is closing on those involved.Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Trina and Sarah speak with cyberpsychologist Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton about the trials and tribulations of online dating and much more.Nicola's research has focused on communication through technology, particularly in the areas of online dating, relationships and attraction. She has written a number of papers and book chapters in the area of online dating, online behavior, online consumer behavior and cyberpsychology. We talk about the rise in misogyny and Incels (involuntary celibates).We also talk about cat fishing, kitten fishing, the negative impact social media can have on females in particular and we discuss the merits of legislating against children having a smartphone under a certain age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we speak to Welsh rugby star Wesley Cunliffe from Newport who in his own words says the sport saved him from a life of crime. At a very young age, as the eldest of his siblings, driven by poverty, circumstance and tragedy, he was stealing to feed his family. By the age of 13 he was recruited by a drug gang to babysit their stash, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy.He worked for the gang to support his family. At the age of 16 he underwent life saving surgery when he was stabbed six times for a bag full of drugs after he was followed by rival gang members and set upon. This was the turning point for him.He found rugby, developed a passion for it and with the support of family and the police he went on to play semi professional rugby and is coaching people from disadvantaged backgrounds at the school of hard knocks.Wes chats with Sarah and Trina about his experience of being attacked and stabbed and seeing the effects on his family as he lay in hospital.In his own words.He talks about his semi professional career playing rugby, how he wasn't judged for where he came from or the colour of his skin when he played and continues to play . He said rugby became like a "second father" to him.He's now helping young people who find themselves stuck in the scenarios he got involved in and diverting them away from criminal behaviour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are joined by Kathleen Chada, an incredibly inspirational woman who has been through so much since her two sons 10 year old Eoghan and 5 year old Ruadhri were murdered by their father and her then husband Sanjeev Chada ten years ago this week on the 29th July 2013.He told Kathleen he was taking the boys bowling that Sunday evening but when they didn’t return the country’s first every child rescue Ireland alert was issued. The boys remains were found the next day after he had murdered them and placed them in the boot and then crashed his car in Ballintubber County Mayo. He pleaded guilty to their murders the following year. Kathleen has written a book entitled “ Everything” as a tribute to the boys. Its been described as a beautiful though painful celebration of their young lives. But it illustrates so powerfully how its possible to rebuild your life even in the most devastating of circumstances.Kathleen talks to Sarah and Trina about her life, her unimaginable loss , the betrayal, the potential red flags in her relationship with the boys' father, what and who has helped her over the past ten years to come to terms with losing Eoghan and Ruaidhrí. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Real Lives Untold podcast is back - the first episode of Season 2 drops Wednesday 27th September.Trina O'Connor and Sarah O'Connor are taking you on another journey through the captivating stories of more fascinating, insightful and courageous guests who talk about how their lives were devastated by murder, sexual abuse, domestic abuse and cyber bullying. The co-hosts also speak with investigators of high profile murders and feuds and to people who have worked with criminals on the inside.In their podcast Sarah and Trina, both of whom have a background in criminology, focus on all things crime and human interest, creating a space for people to tell their stories and raise awareness.Sarah has worked as a Crime and Courts Correspondent and has produced and presented a number of documentaries. Trina is a criminologist and psychologist who works in the community.Have a listen to our Season 2 Trailer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of Season 2 Trina and Sarah speak with Janet O'Brien, an amazingly courageous and resilient woman who lost her son Luke to a one-punch assault in Tallaght, South West Dublin on Halloween night 2017. His killer, 21 year old Jack Hall Ellis of Lismore Road in Crumlin, a childhood friend of Luke, punched him in his words “in drunkenness and anger” on the old Blessington Road after they left a pub. 13 days later Luke who was just 20 lost his fight for life in hospital from the injuries to his brain that he sustained when he hit his head on the ground as a result of the punch. Hall Ellis had downed up to ten double shots rum that night the court heard after he pleaded guilty in 2019 to the unlawful killing of Luke O' Brien O'Reilly and he was jailed for five years. Before his release from prison late last year Luke’s mother Janet met her son’s killer as part of the Restorative Justice Process, something she sought out herself, it has to be stressed. During that meeting she showed Hall Ellis a photograph of her son as he fought for his life in hospital during those last days. Janet has kindly agreed to tell us her painful story , she believes one punch assaults should carry a minimum sentence and she would encourage more people to avail of restorative justice.IF YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY ANY OF THE ISSUES IN THE EPISODE YOU CAN CALL THE CRIME VICTIM'S HELPINE (crimevictimshelpline.ie) Freephone 116006Or go to Home - Restorative Justice to find out more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah and Trina are joined by Micháel Campbell whose only daughter Ciara was murdered by her ex boyfriend in front of her 4 year old son in her home in County Carlow. It happened on the 12th of November 2007. Gordon Molloy from Ballickmoyler in Laois had been stalking 22 year-old Ciara for months after she ended their turbulent relationship. He had threatened to kill her and had broken into her home on numerous occasions to scare her. Ciara had been staying with friends the night before her murder and returned to the house the following morning, met her father Micháel with Jamie at the door, Micháel left for work and she made her way in with her young son. Molloy was inside her home after forcing entry the night before and lay in wait for her. He stabbed her 27 times, her son witnessed the savage attack. Micháel recounts the trauma of finding out what happened later that day and talks about the devastating impact Ciara's death has had on Jamie and the family. Micháel and Ciara's mother Paidi have met with the Parole Board to object to the murderer's 3rd application for release. They firmly believe he will kill again if he's allowed out. IF YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY ANY OF THE ISSUES IN THE EPISODE YOU CAN CALL THE CRIME VICTIM'S HELPINE (crimevictimshelpline.ie) Freephone 116006 I WOMEN'S AID ON 1800 341 900 I MEN'S AID 01 5543811 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In January 2018 twenty one year-old Nicole Fox took her own life in the family home after she suffered over three years of relentless, brutal bullying both in person and online, perpetrated by a group of young adults. In the immediate aftermath of her beloved daughter’s death Nicole’s mother Jackie started to campaign for the anti-harassment laws here to be updated to include online bullying. In 2021 Jackie’s work paid off and Coco's Law was introduced. The new legislation criminalises harmful communications including the threat of and the distribution of intimate images. Jackie talks to Trina and Sarah about her painful journey, the loss of her beautiful daughter, how she will never move on but is moving forward and has learned to smile again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retired Detective Inspector Pat Marry was involved in investigating some of Ireland's most high profile murders. He has written a book entitled the Making of Detective which was then adapted into a podcast series. Today he talks to Sarah and Trina about two notorious murderers, Joe O’Reilly and Colin Whelan, who callously plotted to kill their wives and went to extraordinary lengths to cover up their crimes and evade justice. O’Reilly has never expressed remorse over the cold blooded killing of his wife Rachel, the mother of his children at the family home in the Naul, North County Dublin in 2004. Pat talks about O’Reilly’s bizarre behaviour after the murder and his latest unsuccessful bid for parole. We also discuss the brutal murder of Mary Gough by her husband Colin Whelan at their home in Balbriggan North Dublin in 2001. Whelan strangled his wife following months of plotting and planning, he then tried but failed to stage the scene to look like Mary had fallen down the stairs. The former detective talks about his close contact with the families of the victims and how these women will never be forgotten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three years ago this week on night of the 22nd into 23rd of October 2020, IT specialist Sameer Syed travelled to the home of his estranged wife 37 year old Seema Banu and their two children 11 year old asfira and 6 year old Faizan. It was under cover of darkness and he was dressed as a women. He murdered all three by strangling them with a ligature and then left a tap on, flooding their house in the Llewelyn estate in Ballinteer South Dublin. Their bodies were discovered a few days later. Syed was an abusive husband and father and would torture them, he had moved them from their home country two years beforehand and Seema Banu who was unhappy here was planning on moving back. Syed would regularly go to the house even after a court ordered him to stay away when he was charged and to stand trial accused of seriously assaulting Seema Banu by strangling her to an unresponsive case. He was later charged with the murders and a week before he was due to stand trial before the Central Criminal Court he was found dead in his cell in prison. In this episode we also talk to Womens Aid CEO Sarah Benson who says the focus in this case should have been on the perpetrator, she questions why he was not behind bars. Trina and I talk to Seema Banu’s nephew Kashief Ahmed who travelled to Dublin for the inquest into their deaths and to visit their grave  earlier this year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.