Lines of Enquiry

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/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 Siobhan Walsh and 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 Ree
Artwork 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 [email protected] 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 Sweetman
Created by Darren Cleary
Episode Written by Emma McMenemy
Script Edited by Darren Cleary
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

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/260255277392057
We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/
Presented by John Sweetman
Created by Darren Cleary
Episode Written by Siobhan Maguire
Script Edited 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 Ree
Artwork 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 [email protected] and follow @linesofenquirypodcast on Instagram.