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 linesofenquiry@goloudnow.com

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 linesofenquiry@goloudnow.com 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

On the night of September, the 4th 1992, Esther and Jessica McCann went to sleep and never woke up. The 36-year-old mother and her 18-month-old-toddler died when a fire swept through the house. It was a tragic loss of life. The young mother had been trying to adopt the little girl she had fostered since her birth. They were inseparable. And it followed a series of events in the home that baffled Esther, her husband, and her family. Was there something more sinister at play here? In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman takes us through the events leading up to that tragic house fire and how a dark secret from the past lurked in the corner.If you might be interested in a Lines of Enquiry live show - Let us know by filling out this survey: bauermediaireland.jotform.com/260255277392057We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Siobhan MaguireScript Edited by 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 this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John Sweetman is joined by one of Ireland’s leading true crime podcasters, Nules Ní Chléirigh, creator and host of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries.John and Nules reflect on what draws them to the stories of some of Ireland’s biggest crimes, the realities of working on cases with no clear resolution, and the importance of ethical storytelling when dealing with victims and their families.They share some of the most impactful cases they have worked on, including those where the smallest detail made a critical difference, and others that have stayed with them long after recording.The conversation also explores how true crime has evolved as a genre, and the role it can play in prevention, awareness, and in keeping the memory of victims alive.If you’d like to get in touch, you can email the show at LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com and follow @linesofenquirypodcast on Instagram. 

28 year old mother of two Jasmine McMonagle loved to write and longed to be a children's author one day. In 2019, a letter she wrote was sent to the Garda Technical Bureau for examination. In the letter, Jasmine wrote of being held hostage in her own home, of threats against her and her daughters, and of how she would no longer live in fear.In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John explains how that letter ended up on his desk, and he looks back on a tragic story of rage, loss and bravery, and of a family torn apart by violence.We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by John SweetmanScript Edited by 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

When Antra Ozolina was found dead in her home in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan in June 2014, from the outset, the explanation seemed straightforward and the case moved quickly towards closure. But small details did not sit comfortably. The circumstances raised quiet questions. The timeline felt too neat and the version that was accepted left little room for doubt or for scrutiny. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman revisits the death of Antra Ozolina, examining how early assumptions can shape an investigation, how quickly a version of events can become fixed, and how the how the easy answer is not always the right answer.  We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Darren ClearyScript Edited by Eoin BrennanProduced by Siobhan WalshProduced by Siobhan MaguireAssistant Produced by Aoife PlunkettExecutive 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

The arrival of two detectives with very different backgrounds reinvigorates the search for Seamus Ruddy. As the new investigators search the darkest corners for information, they do it with a set of forensics skills never before seen in Ireland.The Ruddy family hold on to hope of finally ending their long nightmare, and a new source of information could prove to be the key. But there will be many false dawns, before what could be their final chance to bring Seamus home.We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by 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 RowntreeWe now have an instagram page, you can follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/

In May of 1985, Seamus Ruddy went to meet three men in Paris. They were men he knew from a past life, in Ireland. Seamus had left that life behind, to start a new one in the French capital. His family had asked him not to go to the meeting, but Seamus had been assured he would be safe.He was never seen again after that night, and his disappearance would lead to a search spanning decades. The Ruddy family refused to give up their hunt for answers, facing down intimidation and holding out hope even against the most insurmountable odds.This story would eventually join others, as the Ruddy family realised they were not the only ones searching for their missing loved ones, and pushing for answers from a dark period in Irish history. Seamus was eventually considered one of The Disappeared, the group of people suspected of being kidnapped, killed and secretly buried by Republican paramilitary groups during The Troubles.We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by 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

Jastine Valdez was abducted in broad daylight on a rural road in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, in May 2018.  The 24-year-old had just stepped off a bus that dropped her only a few minutes’ walk from her home.  Just moments later, a woman driving along that quiet country road spotted a man seemingly trying to force a young woman into his car.What followed was a frantic garda manhunt, as they realised Jastine had been abducted in broad daylight – but without any idea who may have done it, or why. What was to follow would be a tragic, terrifying case that would shock all of Ireland.In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman takes us through that frenetic investigation by gardai moments, and their efforts to seek justice for Jastine, and her family in Ireland and the Philippines.We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by John SweetmanScript Edited by 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 this, Lines of Enquiry’s inaugural ‘Case Notes’, John Sweetman introduces a new strand of his hit true crime podcast series. Stepping away from any one specific case in detail and instead revisiting past investigations and responding to listener questions, John takes us behind the scenes of Lines of Enquiry. This first episode of ‘Case Notes' is also the last in Season 1 of Lines of Enquiry. Reflecting on his first season, John is in conversation with Darren Cleary, creator of Lines of Enquiry and Head of Digital Audio at Bauer Media, who hears all about Season 2, which goes out on January 6th, 2026, with further 'Case Notes' also on the way. We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Remember, you can contact the show at LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com 

When Anne O'Sullivan was diagnosed with terminal cancer, tensions within her family about who would inherit her substantial plot of farm land came to the surface.Soon, Anne would find herself awake before dawn, running through fields and ditches to a neighbour's house to get help as a terrible darkness descended on the family farm. This is a tragic story that saw a family torn apart as their home became consumed by fear and threats of violence towards Anne and her eldest son, Mark. Those rising tensions would lead to the most unfathomable and shocking moment of hatred and rage.In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John tracks the descent into violence and revisits his case notes on the letters that proved crucial to any understanding of events of that tragic day.We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Eoin BrennanScript Edited by John SweetmanResearch by Siobhan Maguire & Eoin BrennanExecutive Produced by Eoin BrennanExecutive Produced by Ruth FitzsimonsProduced by Siobhan WalshProduced by Siobhan MaguireSound 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

On St Patrick’s weekend 2024, 23-year-old Kelly Lynch travelled from her home in Armagh to Monaghan to support her boyfriend after a sudden death in his family. Two nights later, on the walk home from the pub in the town, on the Friday night of a busy bank holiday, Kelly disappeared.She was found in the Ulster Canal on the Sunday morning. Gardaí said Kelly had drowned and quickly confirmed they were not treating her death as suspicious. But as the details emerged, her family were left with devastating questions.In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman follows Kelly’s final movements, the contradictions at the heart of the investigation, and the campaign led by a family desperate for answers. We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Darren ClearyScript Edited by 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

The prime suspect walks free for the murder of Nora Sheehan after the death of the pathologist left the DPP's case unable to proceed to trial. In this second chapter of a two-part investigation, John Sweetman looks at how four decades after Nora Sheehan’s disappearance and death in 1981, advances in forensic technology breathed new life into a long-dormant investigation.  In this episode, we explore how preserved evidence from fibres and paint fragments to a partial DNA profile was re-examined by investigators as as long-preserved traces ignite a renewed hunt for answers.We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Presented by John SweetmanCreated by Darren ClearyEpisode Written by Darren ClearyScript Edited by Eoin BrennanExecutive Produced by Eoin BrennanExecutive Produced by Ruth FitzsimonsProduced by Siobhan WalshProduced by Siobhan MaguireSound 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