
Mens Rea: A true crime podcast
Mens Rea is the legal principle of intent that must be proved in a number of crimes, such as murder. It means literally, "guilty mind". Mens Rea Podcast explores the most notorious crimes from Ireland and the UK and the court cases that followed. Join your host, Sinead, every fortnight when a new case is discussed.

Listen Now: 48 Hours
explicitOne of television's most popular true-crime series is now adapted for your ears with the “48 Hours” podcast. Every week, award-winning CBS News correspondents investigate the most intriguing crime and justice cases. Here’s a preview of a new “48 Hours” episode, “The Night of the Idaho Student Murders”. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant sits down with family members of Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle, two of the four University of Idaho students shockingly murdered the night of November 13, 2022. You can hear the rest of this episode on the “48 Hours” podcast from CBS News. For even more “48 Hours”, listen to the new “Post Mortem” series every Tuesday, where the correspondents and producers share their first hand experiences reporting on the compelling cases they cover. Listen to 48 Hours ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts: Wondery.fm/48_MR
8 mins
16 October Finished

134 - A Question of Self Defence: The murder of Leslie Kenny
explicitJust after 10am, on Wednesday the 29th July 2008, shots rang out on a busy residential road in Kilrush, Co Clare. Two men who lived on the street, Leslie Kenny and Brendan O'Sullivan, had exchanged words, and by the end of that interaction, one of them was lying dead in a front garden. 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/ ********* Sources: DPP V Brendan O’Sullivan appeal document “20 months in jail for heroin addict”, Irish Independent, Oct 4th 2003 Gordon Deegan, “Widespread heroin use may increase in Clare”, Clare Champion, Oct 10th 2003 Gordon Deegan, “Man faces charge over threatening behaviour in court case”, Irish Independent, Sep 29th 2005 Gordon Deegan, “Man charged after disturbance forced judge to suspend court”, Irish Examiner, Sep 29th 2005 For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com
39 mins
19 September Finished

133 - Killer on the Run: The murder of Emer O'Loughlin
explicitIf you have any information on the whereabouts of John Griffin, you can contact Gort Garda Station on (091) 636400, the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111 or your local law enforcement agency. In 2005, a caravan caught fire in rural north Clare, Emer O'Loughlin's family were initially relieved to see that it wasn't the one she shared with her partner Shane. But when human remains were found inside the charred wreckage, and there was still no sign of the artistic Emer, hope that everything would be ok was quickly dashed. In the years that followed, so would hope that Emer's killer might be brought to justice. 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/ ********* Sources: Cracking Crime Emer O’Loughlin, RTE, available on YouTube Marú Inár Measc Season 2 Ep 2, TG4, available on TG4 Player John Fallon, “Gardai seek to identify woman killed in caravan fire”, Irish Examiner, Apr 11th 2005 Joe O Muircheartaigh, “Gardai’s open mind over fire”, Clare Champion, Apr 15th 2005 Stephen Glennon, “Appeal for witnesses in bid to solve mystery of body in burned caravan”, Connacht Tribune, Apr 15th 2005 Gordon Deegan, “Suspicion over death of woman in caravan blaze”, Irish Independent, Apr 16th 2005 Pat Flynn, “Probe after DNA helps identify woman in caravan inferno”, Sunday Independent, Apr 17th 2005 Pat Flynn, “Bizzare link probe to art student’s death in blaze”, Irish Independent, Apr 18th 2005 For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com
39 mins
12 September Finished

132 - Nagged to Kill: The death of Gary Cotter
explicit28 year old mother of one Norma Crotty appeared on her neighbours doorstep early on the morning of January 3rd, 1995. She was in a distressed state, and was holding a shotgun. It was smoking. Norma told her neighbour that she had just shot her husband. 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/ ********* Sources: John Murphy, “Middleton man died from shot in the back”, Irish Examiner, Jan 4th 1995. John Murphy, “Gardai release woman”, Evening Echo, Jan 4th 1995. “Help sought in Midleton murder probe”, Evening Echo, Jan 5th 1995. “Shot man removed”, Irish Examiner, Jan 6th 1995. “Military funeral for shot soldier”, Irish Press, Jan 7th 1995. “Sad silence over graveyard as shot soldier is laid to rest”, Irish Examiner, Jan 7th 1995. John Murphy, “Definite line of inquiry in death of Midleton man”, Irish Examiner, Jan 9th 1995. Ralph Riegel, “Murder charge expected”, Irish Examiner, Oct 9th 1995. For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com
38 mins
28 August Finished

131 - For the Love of Money: The murder of Paul Jones
explicitIn September of 2019, Paul Jones was found dead in the hallway of his home on Bandon Road, in Cork. The 54 year old had a chequered past, but for the last decade had lived a quiet and pious life, bothering no one. Despite this, he had suffered 25 stab wounds to his side and had been hit in the head with a long, machete-like blade. Though he had no known quarrels with anyone, there was someone in Paul Jones' life who had a reason to do him harm. 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/ ********* Sources: Kevin O Neill and Noel Baker, “Murder probe after body is found”, Irish Examiner, Sept 9th 2019 William Dunne, “Tributes paid to dad found dead in Cork city as gardai launch murder investigation”, Irish Mirror, Sept 9th 2019 Ann Murphy, “Murdered man had criminal convictions but had found God”, Evening Echo, Sept 10th 2019 “Gardai search credit union CCTV in bid to trace killer”, Evening Echo, Sept 10th 2019 Olivia Kelleher, “Two held after man’s murder in Cork”, Irish Examiner, Sept 11th 2019 Liam Heylin, “Murder victim’s sister arrested for burglary”, Irish Examiner, Sept 13th 2019 for a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com
58 mins
22 August Finished