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.

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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/

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Sources:

“Revenge”, book by Ken Foxe

Barbara Clinton, “Gardai appeal for public help in murder probe”, Irish Examiner, May 15th 2000

“Ballymun killing a gangland message”, Evening Herald, May 15th 2000

Bernie O’Toole, “Copycat flat death man had horrific injuries”, Irish Independent, May 15th 2000

Caroline O’Doherty, “Plea for help in hunt for savage killer”, Irish Examiner, May 16th 2000

Caroline O’Doherty, “Witness to killing sought by gardai”, Irish Examiner, May 17th 2000

“Drugged, tortured and killed for £300”, Evening Herald, May 19th 2000

Caroline O’Doherty, “Man charged with murder of stabbed father”, Irish Examiner, May 19th 2000

Tom Brady, “Man charged after frenzied knife murder”, Irish Independent, May 19th 2000

“Woman brought in for questioning”, Irish Examiner, May 23rd 2000

Tim Healy, “Woman charged with flat murder”, Evening Herald, May 23rd 2000

Liz Walsh, “Hired sword death horror”, Jan 13th 2004

For 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.

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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

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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

In March of 2011, 19 year old David Byrne set out to meet someone near to his home in Drimnagh, Dublin City. Little did he know that he was walking into a trap. A panicked chase was caught on CCTV, but the final attack occurred in a dark corner out of sight of any cameras. Could his killer be identified from the footage?

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/

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Sources:

DPP vs Marcus Kirwan appeal doc, available on Vlex

Ireland Young and Dumb Episode 3, TV3 documentary, available on YouTube

Tom Brady and Patricia McDonagh, “Teen chased down and stabbed to death by gang”, Irish Independent, March 21st 2011

Ann Murphy, “Manhunt for gang after Dublin teen is murdered”, Evening Echo, March 21st 2011

Tom Brady and Shane Hickey, “Murdered teen’s stabbing death is not linked to gangland feud”, Irish Independent, March 22nd 2011

Cormac Murphy, “Gardai prepare to arrest four teen knife killers”, Evening Herald, March 22nd 2011

Tom Brady, “Teens aged 13 held over fatal stabbing of young man”, Irish Independent, March 23rd 2011

Clodagh Sheehy, “Two 13 year olds held over fatal knife attack”, Evening Herald, March 23rd 2011

Cormac O’Keefe, “Seven teenagers held in murder hunt”, Irish Examiner, March 23rd 2011

Tom Brady, “Young man was murdered over €2000 owed to drug dealers”, Irish Independent, March 24th 2011

For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com