Bonus - The Killing of Tom O'Gorman

This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 2 December 2018In this episode we take a look at the little-known so-called "satanic" murder of John Horgan (7) in Palmerstown, Dublin in 1973. John and his family lived in a quiet neighbourhood of 9 houses backing on to a field. It was there that his 16 year old neighbour, Lorcan Bale, took him and struck him in the back of the head, killing him.  Lorcan then brought John's body to the attic of his house - next door to the Horgan's - and trussed him up in the shape of a cross and in front of a home-made altar.No real explanation for the murder would ever emerge. PLEASE NOTE  - For some reason - possibly autocorrect - I mention the "Skylark Hotel" in Dublin. No such hotel exists. What I meant to say was the Skylon Hotel.  I was half right? Sorry guys! My bad. Theme Song: Quinn's Song: First Dance by Kevin McLeod Sources: “The Devil is in the Detail”, in Broadsheet.ie https://www.broadsheet.ie/2016/page/382/ 22 June 2016“Public servant and pillar of the church. guilty of the nation’s most gruesome ever ritual murder” from The Mail on Sunday https://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/public-servant-and-pillar-of-the-church-guilty-of-the-nations-most-gruesome-ever-ritual-murder/ 14 August 2011David Malone, The Boy in  the Attic (Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing, 2011)  Purchase here 

This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 6 Oct 2019In the early hours of the 11th February, 1984, Patrick Nugent died in a car park in front of Bunratty Castle, Co Clare. There had been a party, and Patrick was working in the castle that night. A number of guests were present for the events leading up to Patrick's death, but, none of their stories were consistent with one another. Two guests - off duty gardai - would not speak to the officers who responded to the scene.At a post-mortem it was established that Patrick had been run over by a car, but not before falling to the ground.What happened to Patrick Nugent? Music:Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)                              Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Sources:“What Happened in Bunratty?” Episode 29 Scannal (RTE, 26/09/2016) Available here: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-scannal-collection/SI0000004189?epguid=IH000338537 The History of Shannon Airport https://www.shannonproperties.ie/shannon-region/the-history-of-shannon-airport/ Bunratty Castle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunratty_Castle                                 www.bunrattycastle.ie   Economic History of the Republic of Ireland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland#1980_to_early_1990s Derek Dunne, “The Death of Patrick Nugent” from Magill https://magill.ie/archive/death-patrick-nugent (12 June 1985)  Simon Carswell, “Who 'clocked' Patrick Nugent? A family still searches for answers” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/who-clocked-patrick-nugent-a-family-still-searches-for-answers-1.3107557 (5 June 2017)   Dan Danaher, “Patrick Nugent's family secures state inquiry into his death in 1984” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/patrick-nugents-family-secures-state-inquiry-into-his-death-in-1984-373317.html (28 December 2015)   Dan Danaher, “Family fury over death inquiry delay” in The Clare Champion https://clarechampion.ie/family-fury-over-death-inquiry-delay/ (11 September 2015)   Owen Ryan, “Death in Bunratty and the long search for answers” in The Clare Champion https://clarechampion.ie/family-fury-over-death-inquiry-delay/ ( (29 July 2019)    http://www.section42inquiries.ie/en/s42i/pages/si1992017 Anne Sheridan, “Suspicious death in Bunratty ow under review 33 years on” in The Limerick Leader https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/253965/suspicious-death-in-bunratty-now-under-review-33-years-on.html (8 June 2017)   “Nugent case goes to UN Committee” in The Clare Champion http://clarechampion.ie/nugent-case-goes-to-un-committee/ (4 February 2016)   Ray Ryan, “'Isn't he the image of Honey Fitz” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/isnt-he-the-image-of-honey-fitz-234702.html (21 June 2013)   Caroline O'Doherty, “Reviews into Garda malpractice claims are pointless, say victims” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/reviews-into-garda-malpractice-claims-are-pointless-say-victims-378790.html (29 January 2016)   

This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 2 June 2019.This is our first bonus episode to take place outside of Ireland, but involves an Irish couple living and working in Australia.Tina Cahill and David 'Motcha' Walsh met in Sydney after they both moved in 2013. Their relationship was turbulent and marked with violent incidents. They got engaged in late 2016, but only months later, David Walsh was dead.You'll hear the word "allegedly" throughout this episode, as David wasn't around in court to tell his side of the story relating to his behaviour in their relationship. Music:Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)                              Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/For a full list of sources, please see menreapod.com

This episode was originally published as a Patreon exclusive on 5 May 2019.Two women were murdered in the 1980's in Kilkenny. They were unconnected, and unsolved. It would be years before the two murders were "rediscovered" by the Garda Cold Case Unit - the National Serious Crime Review Unit. Appeals for information were made to the public, and now, 30 years on, there have been developments in the cases....Music:Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)                              Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Sources:“Man (52) due to be charged in connection with murder of Ann Nancy Smith in 2987” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-52-due-to-be-charged-in-connection-with-murder-of-ann-nancy-smith-in-1987-34113928.html (15 October 2015) Natasha Reid, “Cold-case trial hears widow already dead when house set on fire” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/cold-case-trial-hears-widow-already-dead-when-house-set-on-fire-1.3023788 (24 March 2017)Natasha Reid, “Kilkenny murder trial: Nancy Smyth subjected to head injuries and strangled before fire started in her home” in The Kilkenny People https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/241784/kilkenny-murder-trial-nancy-smyth-subjected-to-head-injuries-and-strangled-before-fire-started-in-her-home.html (24 March 2017)Jim Cusack, “Killer repeatedly given bail despite threatening witnesses and stabbing his brother – after admitting murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/killer-repeatedly-given-bail-despite-threatening-witnesses-and-stabbing-his-brother-after-admitting-murder-35626554.html (16 April 2017)Sandra Murphy, “How murderer of pensioner Nancy Smyth was fianlly caught after 30 years” from Evoke.ie https://extra.ie/2017/04/20/news/real-life/how-detectives-cracked-cold-case-of-murder-of-pensioner-nancy-smyth (20 April 2017)   Eoin Reynolds, “'Closure' for family in cold-case” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/closure-for-family-in-cold-case-murder-447831.html (14 April 2017)Natasha Reid, “Bible study man strangled widow and set fire to her home, cold case murder trial hears” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/bible-study-man-strangled-widow-and-set-fire-to-her-home-coldcase-murder-trial-hears-35555465.html (22 March 2017)   Natasha Reid, “Cold case trial hears of widow's murder 30 years ago” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/cold-case-trial-hears-of-widows-murder-30-years-ago-35557331.html (23 March 2017)   Eoin Reynolds, “Woman died 'callouss and violent death', murder trial hears” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/woman-died-callous-and-violent-death-murder-trial-hears-1.3045399 (11 April 2017)   Ruaidhri Giblin, “Appeal dismissed” Convicted murderer confessed to people 'left right and centre' to killing woman 30 years ago as life sentence upheld” in The Irish Sun https://www.thesun.ie/news/2466416/convicted-murderer-confessed-to-people-left-right-and-centre-to-killing-woman-30-years-ago-as-life-sentence-upheld/ (19 April 2018)Ruaidhri Giblin, “'Cold-case' killer moves to appeal conviction for murder of woman in Kilkenny 30 years ago” in The Kilkenny People https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/295419/cold-case-killer-moves-to-appeal-conviction-for-murder-of-woman-in-kilkenny-30-years-ago.html (5 February 2018)   Conor Lally, “Gardai identify suspect in cold case murder of Marie Tierney in 1984” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda%C3%AD-identify-suspect-in-cold-case-murder-of-marie-tierney-in-1984-1.3681898 (31 October 2018)   Wayne O'Conner, “Family of murdered Marie believe gardai closer to finding killer” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/family-of-murdered-marie-believe-gardai-closer-to-finding-killer-37489911.html (4 November 2018)   Barry Cummins, “Family of murder victim Marie Tierney speak of ongoing anguish” from RTE.ie  https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/1115/1011234-marie-tierney/ (15 November 2018)   Cormac O'Keefe, “Garda review of one unsolved murder unearths a second case” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/garda-review-of-one-unsolved-murder-unearths-second-case-882462.html (1 November 2018)    Paul Hosford, “Gardai appeal for information into 1984 murder of mother of two” in TheJournal.ie https://www.thejournal.ie/marie-tierney-murder-appeal-3686145-Nov2017/ (8 November 2017)   Press Release: Garda Update – Marie Tierney Murder Investigation from Garda.ie https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/press-releases/2018/october/update-marie-tierney-murder-investigation.html   “Cold Case Breakthrough” Potential witness in Marie Tierney murder investigation comes forward” from KilkennyNow.ie https://kilkennynow.ie/breaking-potential-witness-in-marie-tierney-murder-investigation-comes-forward/ (20 December 2018)   

This episode was initially released as a Patreon exclusive on 8th Sept 2019In November of 1997, Eileen O'Shaughnessy went to work as normal. She drove a taxi in Galway City, and was one of the few women drivers in the countryBut on the night of the 30th of that month, Eileen's car was found abandoned in the city with blood all over the drivers seat. Her body was found the next day. The case remains unsolved.Music:Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)                              Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Sources:Cracking Crime: Cold Cases – Eileen O'Shaughnessy RTE (2012) watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7Hg2mzVRmQ&list=PLdWT38WOXNebh2AJOBn2Ew-tjMgtnC_0n&index=4 Barry Cummins, Lifers (Dublin: Gill & McMillan, 2014)   Garda Press Release https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime-Prevention/Crimecall-on-RTE/Crimecall-Episodes/2017/November-20/Murder-of-Eileen-Costello-O%E2%80%99Shaughnessy-on-the-30-11-97.html#targetText=Murder%20of%20Eileen%20Costello%20O,on%20the%2030%2F11%2F97&targetText=Garda%C3%AD%20in%20Galway%20are%20continuing,taxi%20driver%20in%20Galway%20City. (20 November 2017)   Declan Rooney, “Taxi driver carry stickers on cars in bid to find killer” in The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taxi-drivers-carry-stickers-on-cars-in-bid-to-find-killer-215158.html (27 November 2012) Declan Tierney, “New Leads in 20 year old murder” from The Connacht Tribune http://claregalway.info/nuacht/news/2017/12/new-leads-20-year-old-murder/ (14 December 2017)   Lorna Siggins, “Family of Murdered woman believe gardai talking to the wrong man” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/family-of-murdered-woman-believe-gardai-talking-to-the-wrong-man-1.1128374 (30 November 2002)   Ciaran Tierney, “Convicted murderer is questioned about taxi driver killing” in The Irish Times  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/convicted-murderer-is-questioned-about-taxi-driver-killing-1.317571 (13 July 2001)   Declan Tierney, “Family still searches for answers 19 years after brutal murder” in The Connacht Tribune https://connachttribune.ie/family-still-searches-for-answers-19-years-after-brutal-murder-019/ (26 December 2016)   “Man jailed for murder committed while on day release” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/man-jailed-for-murder-committed-while-on-day-release-1.1119595 (6 December 2000)   “Taxi woman killed for her £70 takings” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/taxi-woman-killed-for-her-70-takings-26200462.html (4 December 1997) 

This episode was first released as a Patreon exclusive on 7th October 2018This is the story of the shocking killing of Tom O'Gorman by his lodger, Sevario Bellante, who suffered from schizophrenia. Bellante had recently been weaned off his medication under medical supervision, and on medical advice to do so, but this would have tragic results. Theme Music: Quinn’s Song: First Dance by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

This Bonus episode was first published as a "Guilt Trip" episode on Patreon on 7th April 2019. Dolores McCrea married the man that she had met and fallen for while in Secondary School in Donegal. But her husband, Gary, was a controlling man and became abusive. Soon the violence became too much for Dolores and she left Gary, bringing along their four daughters. But often the time after a person leaves their abuser is the most dangerous. And this was the case for Dolores. Gary McCrea had plans for Dolores once she left him which would lead him to standing in the dock in the Four Courts just over a year later. Music:Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)                              Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Sources:24 Hours to Kill – Gary McCrea Season 4, episode 1. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j7aj3Ken Foy, “Meet the bone expert who has helped to jail some of our nost notorious killers” in The Evening Herald https://www.herald.ie/news/meet-the-bone-expert-who-has-helped-to-jail-some-of-our-most-notorious-killers-31466476.html (21 August 2015)“Hundreds expected at Dolores McCrea's funeral” from The Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hundreds-expected-at-dolores-mccrea-funeral-157311.html (16 July 2004)Kathy Donaghy, “Dad-of-four gets life for murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dadoffour-gets-life-for-murder-25955289.html (5 November 2005)“Daughter says man told her he would kill her mother” in The Tirish Times  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/daughter-says-man-told-her-he-would-kill-her-mother-1.507798   (20 October 2005)   Kathy Donaghy, “'My father told me he was going to stab my mother and rip her guts out'” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/my-father-told-me-he-was-going-to-stab-my-mother-and-rip-her-guts-out--25955291.html (5 Novmeber 2005)“Mechanic gets life sentence for murdering wife” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/mechanic-gets-life-sentence-for-murdering-wife-1.514254 (5 November 2005) 

In 1981, Nora Sheehan went missing from Ballyphehane, Co Cork. She was found dead a week later, and gardai soon had a prime suspect for her murder while investigating another crime. But a series of setbacks meant no trial was held in the case until 2023. 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:Prime Time, “Family of cold case murder victim speak out”, available here on RTE Player“Missing woman”, Irish Examiner, June 12th 1981“Cork murder hunt”, Evening Echo, June 15th 1981Dick Cross, “Body of murdered woman in wood”, Irish Independent, June 15th 1981“No new leads in murder case”, Irish Examiner, June 16th 1981“Murder hunt continues”, Irish Examiner, June 17th 1981“No clues in murder hunt”, Evening Echo, June 18th 1981“Gardai believe killer is known”, Evening Echo, June 19th 1981Denis Reading, “Gardai warn killer could strike again”, Irish Examiner, June 20th 1981For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

In the middle of the night on the 13th May, 2000, a flat in Ballymun was set alight. Inside, the body of Derek Benson was found. But his cause of death had nothing to do with the inferno in his bedroom. He had been brutally killed with a blade. The garda investigation into his murder would not only identify his killers, but a litany of abuse and violence that would continue long after the trial had concluded.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:“Revenge”, book by Ken FoxeBarbara Clinton, “Gardai appeal for public help in murder probe”, Irish Examiner, May 15th 2000“Ballymun killing a gangland message”, Evening Herald, May 15th 2000Bernie O’Toole, “Copycat flat death man had horrific injuries”, Irish Independent, May 15th 2000Caroline O’Doherty, “Plea for help in hunt for savage killer”, Irish Examiner, May 16th 2000Caroline O’Doherty, “Witness to killing sought by gardai”, Irish Examiner, May 17th 2000“Drugged, tortured and killed for £300”, Evening Herald, May 19th 2000Caroline O’Doherty, “Man charged with murder of stabbed father”, Irish Examiner, May 19th 2000Tom Brady, “Man charged after frenzied knife murder”, Irish Independent, May 19th 2000“Woman brought in for questioning”, Irish Examiner, May 23rd 2000Tim Healy, “Woman charged with flat murder”, Evening Herald, May 23rd 2000Liz Walsh, “Hired sword death horror”, Jan 13th 2004For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

Kitty Carroll was killed by Michael Murphy in Drogheda in 1983 - he would go on to kill again. This episode was originally posted to Patreon as a bonus episode in March 2022. Hang in there while I continue to try to get back on track with my work schedule.************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! ***********Music:Kevin McLeod, Quinns Song : The Dance Begins. (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0************Sources:“Woman is strangled by mugger” in The Evening Press (21 October 1983) p. 7.“Remanded on death charge” in The Evening Herald (28 October 1983) p. 17.“Murder case man remanded” in The Irish Press (29 October 1983) p. 6.“Murder charge remand” in The Drogheda Independent (4 November 1983) p. 5.“Murder charge man remanded” in The Irish Independent (19 November 1983) p. 7.“Remanded on murder charge” in The Drogheda Independent (27 January 1984) p. 3.“Murder charge concern” in The Drogheda Independent (17 February 1984) p. 5. For a full list of sources please see mensreapod.com