Red Room

This episode was first published on Patreon on February 2025.

In 1985 a local and beloved priest was found dead in the bedroom of a high-society couple in Offaly. These were no strangers, in fact Therese Flynn was Father Molloy's business partner. Together, they had built an equestrian empire.

To everyone's surprise, when police were eventually called, there was a confession. Therese's husband Richard said he was the culprit, but he said it was in self-defence. It wasn't long before rumours were swirling of an affair, of alleged dodgy business dealings and of a burglary of Father Molloy's will. Very soon after this, everything fell apart. 40 years later, this case is still open and nobody has served any time for the cold-blooded and violent killing of Father Niall Molloy, and this week, we ask why.

Links

https://web.archive.org/web/20120927112320/https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/fr-niall-why-well-never-stop-our-fight-for-justice-3236507.html
https://archive.ph/20130217191329/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/judge-hits-at-colleague-over-priest-killing-case-3182954.html
https://archive.ph/20130217183853/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/mystery-of-priests-violent-death-134899.html
https://archive.ph/20130217194232/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/priest-was-left-to-die-for-six-hours-new-evidence-claims-2846473.html#selection-2767.0-2767.186
Killing of Fr Niall Molloy: untangling rumour, innuendo and fact
The Killing of Fr Niall Molloy feels too extraordinary to have been real
Fr Niall Molloy: Unpacking the financial dealings between the priest and the Flynns – The Irish Times
Greed was motive for killing of Fr Niall Molloy, family????????????????????? claims | Irish Independent
Significant new evidence on killing of Fr Niall Molloy
New evidence on 1985 killing of Fr Niall Molloy comes to light
Castlecoote still reeling from Fr Niall Molloy killing and the rumour mill – The Irish Times
https://frniallmolloy.com/
The Killing of Father Niall Molloy Part 2 of 2 02 mp4
Fr Niall Molloy’s final moments before killing as Galway doctor’s old notebook emerges - GalwayBeo
The Father Of All Cover-Ups | Broadsheet.ie
How Cahill tried to cash in Fr Molloy murder file | Irish Independent

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In January 2005, 36-year-old Shaun Duffy returned to his home in Meenacross, Donegal, after celebrating his younger brother’s birthday. Hours later, he was found dead in his ransacked sitting room, having been stabbed, repeatedly struck on the head and wounded with a crossbow arrow.

More than 21 years later, no one has ever been arrested. This week, we examine the investigation into Shaun’s murder, the rumours surrounding his business dealings and the theories linking his death to organised crime...and possibly to another unsolved disappearance in Donegal.

This episode was written, hosted and produced by Jenny Claffey, with research by Karl O’Reilly.

Sources:
An Garda Síochána — Murder of Shaun Duffy, Meenacross, Co. Donegal, 29 January 2005
RTÉ News — Taxi examined in Donegal death case
RTÉ News — Appeal on 21st anniversary of Donegal man’s murder
The Irish Times — Priest asks killers to come forward
The Irish Times — Appeal for information over Donegal murder 21 years ago
The Irish Times — Gun ownership in Ireland
Irish Independent — Paradise lost as Dungloe reels from grisly murder
Irish Independent — Donegal cold case: Gardaí hope DNA technology may bring Shaun Duffy’s killers to justice
Belfast Telegraph via PressReader — “He was cold and I felt for a pulse but I couldn’t get one”
Donegal Live — Meenacross murder mystery: 20 years on from the killing of Shaun Duffy
Donegal Live — Detectives to probe possible Garda involvement in Shaun Duffy case
Donegal Live — Gardaí believe a number of people have yet to come forward
Donegal Daily — Detectives to probe Garda involvement in Shaun Duffy murder case
Donegal Democrat — Family of man murdered seven years ago still have no answers
Highland Radio — Gardaí renew appeal on 21st anniversary of Shaun Duffy murder
Limerick Live — Fresh appeal marks 21 years since unsolved murder of Shaun Duffy
The Free Library — Tragic Shaun Knew Too Much
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In May 1998, 83-year-old shopkeeper Eddie Fitzmaurice was attacked and left bound in the bedroom above his drapery shop in Bellaghy, where he remained undiscovered for five days.

This week we will examine the violent rural robberies that shaped the investigation, the seven innocent members of the travelling community who were targeted during the corrupt Burnfoot operation and why, nearly three decades later, nobody has been charged with Eddie’s murder.

Written, hosted and produced by Jenny Claffey. Research by Karl O’Reilly.

Sources:
An Garda Síochána: Eddie Fitzmaurice
An Garda Síochána: Murder of Eddie Fitzmaurice—2018 Crimecall Appeal
An Garda Síochána: Murder of Eddie Fitzmaurice—2023 Crimecall Appeal
RTÉ News: A Gentle Sligo Man Whose Cruel Killing Remains Unsolved
The Irish Times: Daughter of Eddie Fitzmaurice Wants to Know Who Is Responsible Before She Dies
The Journal: Gardaí Renew Appeal on the 24th Anniversary of Eddie’s Murder
Irish Examiner: Son Seeks Justice for Slain Father 15 Years On
The Irish Times: Seven Arrested over Co Mayo Murder in 1998
Irish Examiner: Tribunal Concludes That Sergeant Planted Gun
RTÉ News: Adverse Tribunal Finding on Sergeant John White
The Irish Times: Detective Helped Plant Gun at Traveller Site
The Irish Times: Man Gets Life for Murder of Elderly Farmer Paud Skehan
The Irish Times: Brothers Jailed for Killing Elderly Farmer Paddy Logan
Irish Unresolved Mysteries: Eddie Fitzmaurice—Mayo
Background: The Morris Tribunal
To access bonus weekly episodes of Red Room join Patreon HERE
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In the early hours of 11 February 1984, 23-year-old Patrick Nugent was found fatally injured after managing an anniversary party at Bunratty Folk Park. With two damaged cars, conflicting accounts from those who remained and Patrick’s final words, “He clocked me,” his family have spent more than forty years fighting to learn what happened that night.

This episode was written, hosted and produced by Jenny Claffey, with research by Karl O’Reilly.

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Sources
Forty Years On, the Question Persists: Who ‘Clocked’ Patrick Nugent? – RTÉ
Who ‘Clocked’ Patrick Nugent? A Family Still Searches for Answers – The Irish Times
The Death of Patrick Nugent – Magill
Family Told Report into Investigation of Clare Man’s 1984 Death Will Be Released – The Irish Times
Strange, Mysterious Case of Patrick Nugent’s Death Still Shrouded in Subterfuge 40 Years On – Irish Independent
Body of Patrick Nugent, Who Died in Unexplained Circumstances in 1984, to Be Exhumed – TheJournal.ie
Patrick Nugent Postmortem Completed as Part of New Investigation – TheJournal.ie
One Night in Bunratty: Patrick Nugent – Ireland Crimes and Mysteries
State Postmortem on Exhumed Remains of Patrick Nugent Completed – The Irish Times
Death of Patrick Nugent: Investigation, Bunratty, Co. Clare – An Garda Síochána
Renewed Appeal over Patrick Nugent’s Death as Body Is Exhumed – RTÉ
Official Terms of Reference for the Patrick Clyne Inquiry – Irish Statute Book
Bunratty Castle: History and Restoration – Heritage Ireland

To access bonus weekly episodes of Red Room join Patreon HERE
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On 30 November 1997, Galway taxi driver Eileen Costello O’Shaughnessy disappeared after accepting one final fare. Her bloodstained taxi, 17 unexplained miles and a series of unidentified witnesses gave Gardaí no shortage of leads, but almost three decades later, nobody has ever been charged with her murder.

This episode was written, hosted and produced by Jenny Claffey, with research by Karl O’Reilly.

Sources

Murder of Eileen Costello O’Shaughnessy — Wikipedia
Murder of Eileen Costello O’Shaughnessy on 30 November 1997 — An Garda Síochána Crimecall
Renewed Appeal: Eileen Costello O’Shaughnessy Murder Investigation — An Garda Síochána
Gardaí Renew Appeal Over 1997 Murder of Galway Taxi Driver — The Irish Times
Gardaí Renew Appeal Over Murder of Taxi Driver in 1997 — RTÉ News
Gardaí Renew Appeal for Information on 1997 Murder of Galway Woman — Irish Examiner
Convicted Murderer Is Questioned About Taxi Driver Killing — The Irish Times
Double Killer Quizzed on Taxi Woman Murder — Irish Independent
Family of Murdered Woman Believe Gardaí Talking to the Wrong Man — The Irish Times
Inquiry Into Murder Ten Years Ago Still “Live” — The Irish Times
Appeal for Witnesses in Galway — The Irish Times
Man Jailed for Murder Committed While on Day Release — The Irish Times
The Olden Report on the Thomas Murray Case — Department of Justice and Equality
DPP v Murray — Court Decision
New Leads in 20-Year-Old Murder — Claregalway.info
New Lead in Taxi-Driver Murder — Connacht Tribune
Cold Case: Eileen Costello O’Shaughnessy — Radio Espial

To access bonus weekly episodes of Red Room join Patreon HERE
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.