Episode 979: The Bureau - a thrilling tale of murder-suicide and dodgy dealings on the border

When Conall McMeekin worked the night shift at the Belfast Telegraph he formed a close bond with the small team who worked through the night - alone together in the empty old building. Amongst them was a quiet geek called Stephen McCullagh, who loved gaming, dressing up for comicon and sipping on energy drinks through the night. Years later, a very different McCullagh would stand in the dock accused of the brutal and planned murder of pregnant Natalie McNally - a case which has stunned Northern Ireland. So what was McCullagh really like and were there any signs of what was to come. Nicola and Niall talk to Conall about night shifts with a killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Tobin was one of Scotland’s most prolific serial killers - hiding in plain sight for decades while leaving a trail of devastation across the UK. His horrific crimes were exposed during the investigation into the disappearance of young woman Angelika Kluk, where it was discovered that he was responsible for a series of murders stretching back years. Chloe McPolin is joined by author of Hunting Shadows and crime journalist Jane Hamilton to discuss her new book about the life and crimes of the killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hero Republican turned MI5 spy - the incredible story of Denis Donaldson and his murder at a cottage in Glenties, Donegal 20 years ago is one of the most intriguing of our times and will now form part of a podcast special by crimeworld.com. As Antoin Duffy is brought before the Special Criminal Court in recent weeks accused of the murder, we will delve into the background of Donaldson and the amazing story of his fall from grace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robbie Lawlor murder accused Jonathan Gill used the EncroChat phone handle ‘Steadybuster’, the prosecution will say, to arrange and oversee the assassination in Belfast six years ago, in the middle of the phone system hack which has resulted in thousands of convictions of criminals across Europe. Messages from the phone have been included in the European arrest warrant, which also names Sligo drug dealer Barry Young and a partner in the murder. Young admits that he was using the handles ‘Trimnose’ and ‘Rathu’, but denies he played an active role in the murder Nicola and Niall talk about the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of people attend a vigil for the latest victim of domestic murder in Northern Ireland as family and friends of Amy Doherty remember 30 women who have been killed in the north in recent years. So why are young women being murdered in such disproportionate numbers and what is the fallout for families in the decades after? Nicola speaks with Jenny Friel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.