Lines of Enquiry

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 an...

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...

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 Gard...

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, w...

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...

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 themsel...

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...

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 joine...

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...

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, Nan...

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 nati...

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....

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...

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 str...

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 detecti...

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 wo...

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 t...

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 preser...

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. Ma...

As season 3 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 many new stories already being worked on by the Lines of Enquiry team. John also notes some recent feedback from listeners. If you would like to get in touch, follow the Instagram page @linesofenquiryp...

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John continues his conversation with Frank Greaney, Courts Correspondent and award-winning journalist and broadcaster. Frank explains the work that goes into complex criminal investigations, the role of An Garda Síochána, and the way evidence is presented and tested in court. He also reflects on public reactions to sentencing and why court outcomes...

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Frank Greaney, Courts Correspondent and award-winning journalist and broadcaster. Frank has spent much of his career reporting from courtrooms on some of the most high-profile criminal trials in Ireland, including several we have covered on Lines of Enquiry. He reflects on the responsibility that comes with reporting on live cases,...

Hi! John here. I just wanted to drop in with a recommendation. If you find it difficult nodding off after the show, or just want to relax to the ambient sounds of some of Ireland's most scenic spots, we want to introduce you to GoLoud's latest original stream - GoLoud Sleep Sounds. This specialized series is a calming collection of immersive 10-hour soundscapes, with each episode carefully tailore...

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Geoff Knupfer, former lead investigator with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains.  For almost two decades, Geoff led searches for some of the Disappeared, those abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles, helping to return loved ones to families who had spent years waiting for answer...

Are you a fan of Lines of Enquiry and narrative podcasts? Would you have the skills or the experience to become part of the team? We’re looking for a Narrative Podcast Producer at GoLoud to help create and shape the stories behind one of Ireland’s leading podcasts.   You’ll research, script and produce full episodes, turning complex source material into compelling, narrative driven audio. Fro...