Lines of Enquiry

4.9 (56)
TRUE CRIME
UPDATED WEEKLY

Former Garda detective John Sweetman presents Lines of Enquiry, a GoLoud Original true-crime podcast examining some of Ireland’s most compelling crimes, uncovering how evidence, chance, and persistence can bring answers, and sometimes only more questions. Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Contact: LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com

2D AGO

Philip Cairns: The Lost Boy

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 linesofenquiry@goloudnow.com 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

1h 8m
FEB 17

Trevor O’Keeffe: Hitchhiking Into Danger

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

1h 25m
FEB 10

Esther and Jessica McCann: A Deadly Secret

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

59 min
FEB 3 · BONUS

Case Notes #002: Inside True Crime

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 LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com and follow @linesofenquirypodcast on Instagram.

33 min
JAN 27

Jasmine McMonagle: No Way Out

28 year old mother of two Jasmine McMonagle loved to write and longed to be a children's author one day. In 2019, a letter she wrote was sent to the Garda Technical Bureau for examination. In the letter, Jasmine wrote of being held hostage in her own home, of threats against her and her daughters, and of how she would no longer live in fear. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John explains how that letter ended up on his desk, and he looks back on a tragic story of rage, loss and bravery, and of a family torn apart by violence. We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by John Sweetman 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

52 min
JAN 20

Antra Ozolina: The Set Up

When Antra Ozolina was found dead in her home in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan in June 2014, from the outset, the explanation seemed straightforward and the case moved quickly towards closure. But small details did not sit comfortably. The circumstances raised quiet questions. The timeline felt too neat and the version that was accepted left little room for doubt or for scrutiny. In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman revisits the death of Antra Ozolina, examining how early assumptions can shape an investigation, how quickly a version of events can become fixed, and how the how the easy answer is not always the right answer. We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written by Darren Cleary Script Edited by Eoin Brennan Produced by Siobhan Walsh Produced by Siobhan Maguire Assistant Produced by Aoife Plunkett 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

53 min
JAN 14

Seamus Ruddy: Hidden Clues I Part 2

The arrival of two detectives with very different backgrounds reinvigorates the search for Seamus Ruddy. As the new investigators search the darkest corners for information, they do it with a set of forensics skills never before seen in Ireland. The Ruddy family hold on to hope of finally ending their long nightmare, and a new source of information could prove to be the key. But there will be many false dawns, before what could be their final chance to bring Seamus home. We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written 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 RowntreeWe now have an instagram page, you can follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/

41 min
JAN 13

Seamus Ruddy: The Long Search | Part I

In May of 1985, Seamus Ruddy went to meet three men in Paris. They were men he knew from a past life, in Ireland. Seamus had left that life behind, to start a new one in the French capital. His family had asked him not to go to the meeting, but Seamus had been assured he would be safe. He was never seen again after that night, and his disappearance would lead to a search spanning decades. The Ruddy family refused to give up their hunt for answers, facing down intimidation and holding out hope even against the most insurmountable odds. This story would eventually join others, as the Ruddy family realised they were not the only ones searching for their missing loved ones, and pushing for answers from a dark period in Irish history. Seamus was eventually considered one of The Disappeared, the group of people suspected of being kidnapped, killed and secretly buried by Republican paramilitary groups during The Troubles. We now have an instagram page, we would appreciate if you could please follow the podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Presented by John Sweetman Created by Darren Cleary Episode Written 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

59 min

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TRAILER

Trailer : Lines of Enquiry

Former Garda detective and expert crime scene investigator, John Sweetman presents Lines of Enquiry, a GoLoud Original true-crime podcast examining some of Ireland’s most compelling crimes, uncovering how evidence, chance, and persistence can bring answers, and sometimes only more questions.

S1, E1

•

2 min

John Sweetman

Host

4.9

out of 5

56 Ratings

Overall

Feb 12

Olhão.

Very well narrated and illustrated. Highly recommend if you like true crime. Having said that, God bless all those involved in such tragedy.
Nice work

Feb 8

Night Time Child

I enjoy the unique stories
Love this format

12/09/2025

Magalla704

What a great series. Clear, concise & no interminable ads….
Kelly Lynch

Jan 2

Mac an tSionnaigh

I found this episode to be repetitious with more than a touch of the melodramatic. The presentation of thoughts and feelings of those involved presented for dramatic effect failed and became more detraction than enhancement. It seems hard to believe that the Superintendent initially in charge of bad decisions wasn’t suspended for incompetence at very least and that a full internal review be undertaken into the mishandling of this case by the local Garda Síochána who acted more like the keystone cops than the Guardians of The Peace. I am still not sure why this show was made without a final conclusion. No doubt the unfortunate Lynch family are happy to keep the case in the public eye but we are not naive enough to believe that’s why these shows are made. Sweetman is good but the script needs attention. This could be a good show but it’s not there yet. However, it’s still streets and miles ahead of that “Crime World” nonsense pandering to the mindless and badly presented by Nicola Talent.

Former Garda detective John Sweetman presents Lines of Enquiry, a GoLoud Original true-crime podcast examining some of Ireland’s most compelling crimes, uncovering how evidence, chance, and persistence can bring answers, and sometimes only more questions. Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linesofenquirypodcast/ Contact: LinesOfEnquiry@goloudnow.com