Lines of Enquiry

Case Notes #011: Fingerprints and Forensics

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 preserving and interpreting evidence in serious investigations to give victims of crime a voice.Ray also speaks about the emotional impact of working around death and serious crime, and how one small piece of evidence can have a significant impact when solving a case.Now a Consultant Forensic Expert, Ray also discusses his current role as Evidence Manager with the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention in Tuam, where forensic standards are being applied as part of the effort to recover and identify the remains of children who died at the former institution.

Case Notes #010: Crisis Negotiation

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.Martin also speaks about the case involving Jasmine McMonagle in Co. Donegal in 2019, where he was part of the response team that arrived at the house and negotiated with her killer. He discusses the difficult decisions made that morning, the importance of protecting the children in the house, and how gardaí deal with the most challenging parts of the job.

An update from John

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 @linesofenquirypodcast or email us linesofenquiry@goloudnow.com

Case Notes #009: Witnessing Justice (Pt. 2)

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 can sometimes shock people.The episode also brings us inside Frank’s day-to-day work as a courts correspondent, from following trials and filing reports to explaining complex proceedings clearly and responsibly. Throughout, he returns to the importance of experience and humanity when reporting on cases that continue to affect victims, families and communities long after a trial has ended.

Case Notes #008: Witnessing Justice

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, the legal restrictions that shape what can and cannot be said publicly, and the importance of accuracy, fairness and restraint when covering criminal trials.Frank discusses the pressure of reporting on cases under intense public scrutiny, including the murder trial of Ana Kriegel, where he was present throughout the proceedings as a daily court reporter. He also speaks about the murder of Patricia O’Connor, a case he covered extensively in court and later explored in his book Crowded House, as well as through his script for Lines of Enquiry.