68 - Mountain Mysteries: The murder of Phyllis Murphy Mens Rea: A true crime podcast

Just before Christmas 1979, 23 year old Phyllis Murphy disappeared while waiting on a bus in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Her body was found in an isolated spot 25 miles away at Turlough Hill, Co Wicklow a month later. 



After a huge search and investigation, the gardai had no leads as to who was responsible for her death.But in 1998, DNA in Phyllis' case was tested as part of Operation Trace. As a result of that, 53 year old John Crerar - a neighbour of Phyllis' remaining family - stood trial at the Dublin Central Criminal Court.

**********



Thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode:



Help take control of your debt with payoff.com/MensRea



Get 3 months of fast and secure Virtual Private network at expressVPN.com/mens

**********


Don't forget to check out out featured podcast this week - Criminal Conduct! Javier and John have put together a riveting story, not only looking into the mysterious death of 24 year old Michelle O'Connell, but also the man who was investigating her death. Find it here

**********


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/

**********


Sources: 



“Missing girl search” in The Irish Times (29 December 1979) p 5. 



“Search for woman to continue today” in The Irish Times (31 December 1979) p. 5. 



"Murder theory in search for woman” in The Irish Times (1 January 1980) p. 5. 



“No progress in hunt for missing girl” in The Irish Times (3 January 1980) p. 6. Willy Clingan, 



“Hopes fade for missing woman” in The Irish Times (7 January 1980) p. 11. 



“Search for missing woman” in The Irish Times (8 January 1980) p. 11. 



“Gardai intensify Kildare search” in The Irish Times (10 January 1980) p. 6. 



“Body of missing woman found” in The Irish Times (19 January 1980) p. 1. 



“Woman found in mountains” in The Belfast Telegraph (18 January 1980) p. 4. 



“2000 at Kildare girl's funeral” in The Irish Times (21 January 1980) p. 11 



“Gardai in murder hunt investigate complaint” in The Irish Times (22 January 1980) p. 6. 



“Murder inquiry: gardai seek car” in The Irish Times (28 January 1980) p. 6. 



“Kildare girl's clothes found” in The Irish Times (30 January 1980) p. 6. 



“Gardai step up murder inquiry” in The Irish Times (4 December 1980) p. 1. 



“Man helps in murder inquiry” in The Irish Times (6 January 1981) p. 5. 



“Kildare murder progress” in The Irish Times (8 January 1981) p. 7. 



Stephen Rae and Micahel Lavery, “What Phyllis first victim?” in The Evening Herald (24 September 1998) p.p. 1,6. 



Jim Cusack, “File on missing women are reopened” in The Irish Times (23 September 1998) p. x. 



Senan Moloney, “Fear Stalks” in The Evening Herald (25 September 1998) p. 4. 



George Jacob, “Warm welcome greets formation of new Garda investigation team” in The Bray People (8 October 1998) p. 13. 



Stephen Rae, “Gardai begin probe into women 'serial killer' link” in The Irish Independent (31 October 1998) p.10 



Jim Cusack and Roisin Ingle, “ Ex-soldier charged with murder” in The Irish Times (14 July 1999) p. 1. 



Roisin Ingle, “Man to appear in Naas court today on murder charge” in The Irish Times (14 July 1999) p. 3. 



Jim Cusack, “Phyllis Murphy last seen waiting to catch a bus” in The Irish Times (14 July 1999) p. 3. 



Colman Cassidy, “Family relieved at news of arrest” in The Irish Times (14 July 1999) p. 3. 



Nuala Haughey, “Man on mu