In April 2015, 24-year-old Cork woman Karen Buckley went for a night out with friends in Glasgow, where she was studying to become a nurse.

When Karen did not return home or answer her friends’ calls, police began searching for her. Their investigation soon focussed on a man seen speaking with Karen outside a nightclub, moments after she was last seen by her friends.

Over the next few days detectives would conduct an intense, detailed investigation to trace Karen’s movements and identify the man she spoke with. Through the analysis of hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, public appeals, forensics and police interviews, a picture would soon begin to emerge. It would become a case that deeply affected people in both Ireland and Scotland, as the shocking, heart-breaking truth emerged.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry, John Sweetman recounts that investigation in detail, and the impact of a crime that caused deep pain across two countries.

Presented by John Sweetman

Created by Darren Cleary

Episode Written by Anna Priestland

Script Edited by Eoin Brennan & Siobhan Walsh

Produced by Siobhan Walsh

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 Laura Bracken and Róisín Reilly

Social Support by Mark Hayes and Robyn Ree

Artwork and Graphics by Eric Rowntree

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Darren Cleary, creator of Lines of Enquiry and Head of Digital Audio at Bauer Media Audio Ireland.

Together, they look back on the previous season, reflecting on cases including Elaine O’Hara, Patricia O’Connor, Barbara Walsh, Ciara Breen and Philip Cairns. They also discuss the importance of revisiting unresolved cases, and the work that goes into making the podcast.

John and Darren also look ahead to the next season, including revealing the first episode of season 3, along with announcing a new longer-form documentary series focusing on a Dublin murder case from the 1970s.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Darren Cleary, creator of Lines of Enquiry and Head of Digital Audio at Bauer Media Audio Ireland.

Darren gives an update on the case of Kelly Lynch following the completion of a Garda peer review into the original investigation. He discusses what Kelly’s family say they were told, the recommendations now being worked through and the file being prepared for the coroner.

John and Darren also discuss the differing medical opinions around Kelly’s death, before moving into a wider conversation about what happens at a crime scene and why scene preservation, evidence gathering and chain of custody matter.

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.

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.

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 [email protected]

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.

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.

Hi! John here. I just wanted to drop in with a recommendation.

If you find it difficult nodding off after the show, or just want to relax to the ambient sounds of some of Ireland's most scenic spots, we want to introduce you to GoLoud's latest original stream - GoLoud Sleep Sounds.

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Within this stream, there is no talking, no suspenseful stories, and absolutely no commercial interruptions to startle you awake. Instead, Sleep Sounds atmosphericially transports your senses to landscapes across Ireland, from the cadence of the waves at Curracloe Beach in spring and Howth Harbour at sunset, to the isolated Midlands on a stormy night, the wind through the Wicklow Mountains in winter, or the deep shadows of Dublin after dark.

This soothing ambience flows continuously through the night, allowing you to completely switch off the outside world.

GoLoud Sleep Sounds is available now on the GoLoud app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, John is joined by Geoff Knupfer, former lead investigator with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains.

 For almost two decades, Geoff led searches for some of the Disappeared, those abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles, helping to return loved ones to families who had spent years waiting for answers.

 Geoff reflects on the unique challenge of turning the commission from a reactive process into a proactive investigative operation, and the importance of approaching the work as a humanitarian mission rather than a criminal investigation. He discusses the care and persistence required to build trust, recover remains, support families and work within strict legal limits.

 Before his work with the commission, Geoff spent 30 years with Greater Manchester Police, where he was involved in major investigations and cold case reviews, including the continued search for victims of the Moors murders. He reflects on how that experience shaped his understanding of unresolved loss, forensic recovery and the long search for truth.

 If you have information for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, you can email [email protected] or leave a confidential voice message on +353 1 602 8655.