Latest news with #RTÉDocumentaryOnOne
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- RTÉ News
Stolen Sister finale, recapped - the fight for justice continues
For the last seven weeks, RTÉ Documentary On One has tried to raise awareness about the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett in the hopes of securing for her the conviction she was robbed of nearly 50 years ago… Elizabeth and Mayo woman Mary Duffy were brutally abducted, raped and murdered by Ireland's first serial killers - John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans in 1976. While both men were originally charged with the murder, rape and false imprisonment of Elizabeth and Mary, a parole application from Shaw in 2023 revealed that nobody was ever convicted for the murder of Elizabeth. But there are other victims of these men who also never received justice. Remember the reason why the men came to Ireland in the first place? They were trying to evade rape and sexual assault charges relating to three women in the Greater Manchester area. The podcast team is hopeful these women are alive and justice may eventually be served, but as they learned through the making of this series, many lives, most of which we've never heard of, were impacted by the deviant actions of Shaw and Evans. And this week, for the first time, some of those stories are finally told… Because the podcast may be coming to an end, the fight for justice for Elizabeth and all of these potential victims is only just beginning. So, before you read on (and eventually listen), I would like to remind you that the more information the public can provide on this case, the greater the chance the Plunkett family can secure the cold case review and legislative change needed to honour Elizabeth. Witness In the months since this podcast began, over a dozen new witnesses have come forward with information about Shaw and Evans. Why are these accounts so important for the future of this case? Because the more corroborating evidence that can be gathered from these sources, the stronger the chance the Plunkett family have to get a cold case review and hopefully another trial for Elizabeth. We know that Shaw and Evans moved around the country around the time of the murders, searching for houses, pubs and caravans to burgle. We now know they were also hunting for new victims... This week, the public will finally get to hear their stories. A woman called Dolores told the podcast that in 1976, two men with English accents tried to give her a lift in Blackrock, Co Dublin. When she refused, thankfully they drove away. She swears the men were Shaw and Evans. In Bray, Co Wicklow, not far from where Dolores met the men, another witness claims he interacted with them in late August 1976. He was just 12 and a half years old, but vividly recalls an unkempt Englishman of medium build with hair like a scraggly bird's nest pestering him to go for tea and a bun. He managed to escape the encounter, which lasted around 10 minutes. The description he gave the team matches Geoffrey Evans. Other witness accounts include two young women in a mobile home near Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, being hassled by two strange men to invite them in for tea. When the women went out to a disco that night, the men came back… circling the caravan that now had the girls' aunts inside, while trying to gain entry. To hear the rest of that story, hit play above... The accounts submitted stretched as far as Cavan, where a man recalled two female friends screaming because two men had tried to shove them into the back of a car. He managed to catch a glimpse of the passenger in the car when the two women saw it driving past them again. He believes the men were Shaw and Evans. There is also a series of accounts in this episode from the West of Ireland, the same region where Mary was taken… One of these victims confronted the men and asked what they wanted from her. They said one word - "you" - that's after they nearly ran her car off the road… It's worth mentioning that this was reported to the gardaí and happened before Mary was abducted. To learn more, you need to hit play, but some of these accounts involve young women being violently pursued by the men, so please proceed with caution. The podcast has put all these new witnesses in touch with James MacGuill to aid the Plunkett family's case. People have come forward once they started hearing the podcast, so there is evidence available that would not have formed part of the case file at the time of trial that may justify a cold case review at this stage - James MacGuill, Plunkett family solicitor The case of Gillian The reports submitted to the podcast match the places and the timeline of the murderers. Another witness, Gillian Mills, came forward after Elizabeth's inquest earlier this year. She was just 16 years old in 1976 and had been in McDaniels pub the same night as Elizabeth before she was abducted. While walking back to her accommodation with friends, Gillian's arm was struck by a car, and she landed in a ditch. The car never stopped. She was taken to Loughlinstown Hospital, as proven by records found by the Plunkett family's solicitor. Why does her statement stand out? Because the hospital records provided additional detail about the car that struck Ms Mills. Initially, there was speculation about a stain on her clothes. Was it wet paint or maybe blood? Witness reports about the car reported that it had a large amount of rust on the door. Could this mystery red stain left on Ms Mills be from that rust? She recalled being interviewed by the gardaí within a week or so of her accident, but there was no follow-up. However, Mr MacGuill believes this incident and Ms Mills memory of it could be significant because it occurred so close to the time Elizabeth was abducted. And Shaw admitted to driving around this exact area on that evening… If the statement is corroborated by Gillian being able to put this strange car in this vicinity at the time that would shore up the statement of confession - James MacGuill, Plunkett family solicitor February 2026 Despite being on the run for only a month, Shaw and Evans covered a lot of ground in Ireland while committing some of the most heinous crimes in the history of the State. Shaw's most recent parole application was refused, however, a letter from the prison service to the Plunkett family explained that he will be eligible to reapply in February 2026. This means that his parole process will continue while the Plunkett family remains locked outside of that process. In May, the Plunkett family's solicitor, James MacGuill, wrote a detailed letter to the Garda Commissioner, the DPP, and the Minister for Justice, raising the new developments in the case from the inquest to the new witness testimonies. He argued that the family should be given access to decisions made by the DPP and to the records of their sister Elizabeth. He also urged An Garda Síochána to conduct a cold case review into Elizabeth's case. When the family heard nothing back, they contacted the leader of the Labour Party, Ivana Bacik. To her credit, she raised the issue in the Dáil (for the second time). To hear what the Taoiseach said, you need to listen to the episode… The podcast team separately sent a letter to the Minister for Justice in March in search of records about Elizabeth's case. Sixteen weeks later, they got a reply - just as production on the series was wrapping up. Will this response help the family get the help they need? Go to a streaming service to find out. So our chap now is due to apply for parole in February '26 - Kathleen Nolan Memory To this day, the Plunkett family says they still imagine what life would be like for their sister Elizabeth if she had lived. The Duffy family carry the same lifelong trauma of losing their sister in such a violent, sudden manner. A few months ago a new bench was put by Lough Inagh in honour of Mary. Her family wanted somewhere to remember her. Because in the words of her sister Ann, "The only thing that can keep you going is the lovely memories of them". As the episode nears its end Kathleen and Bernie go to Deansgrange Cemetery to visit Elizabeth's grave. Bernie, Kathleen and their other sister Joan come here regularly and always on Elizabeth's birthday. Myself, Joan and Kathleen would say we're going to have a day out. We're going to book a meal and after we go to Liz we're going to take her with us and speak about her for the whole day - Bernie Plunkett Elizabeth It would be remiss to conclude this article and series without mentioning the soundtrack composed by Oscar winner Stephen Warbeck and performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. It perfectly captured every tone change in this very complex and tragic tale, while elevating every feeling this podcast has attempted to articulate to its audience. Mr Warbeck said he composed one piece in particular specifically with Elizabeth in mind. When the Plunkett sisters heard the news, they burst into tears. He spoke to the family to try to understand more about Elizabeth before he wrote the piece. These deeply personal exchanges are included in this episode, along with the family hearing the soundtrack being recorded by the Orchestra in the RTÉ radio centre. Before I conclude this piece, I must confess I haven't been entirely honest. This technically isn't the final episode of Stolen Sister - the full testimonies of the witnesses who continue to come forward during the series will feature in an upcoming bonus episode. So, if you can help this investigation in any way do not hesitate to contact documentaries@ Even when Liam told us, he said, I have news for you girls, he said Stephen Warbeck is going to compose some music and we're going to call it Elizabeth. Floods of tears we've cried over this - Bernie Plunkett
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- RTÉ News
Plunkett family appeal for public to contact gardaí over 1976 murder
The sister of Dublin woman Elizabeth Plunkett said that a garda request for new information into her death was the "first positive reaction" they have had since her murder 49 years ago. Kathleen Nolan said she and her sister Bernie Plunkett feel validated that they contacted the team at RTÉ Documentary On One to collaborate on the Stolen Sister podcast and are happy with this next step. John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans confessed to abducting, raping and murdering both Elizabeth Plunkett in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, and Mary Duffy in Conamara, Co Galway, in 1976. Originally, both men were charged with murder, rape and false imprisonment of Elizabeth Plunkett and Mary Duffy. However, when Shaw began a parole application in 2023, it was revealed he had never been convicted for Elizabeth Plunkett's murder despite previous reports. It was also revealed to the Plunkett family that the State never held an inquest into the death of Ms Plunkett, nor ever issued a death certificate in her name. The collaboration between the family and the Stolen Sister podcast led to an inquest being held into Elizabeth Plunkett's death earlier this year. In a statement, gardaí said: "Any person who believes they have new information into the death of Elizabeth Plunkett should make that information known/ available to An Garda Síochána in Wexford/ Wicklow Garda Division." It added that any new information which is brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána will be assessed. In late May, the Plunkett family's solicitor, James MacGuill SC, wrote to the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice requesting a cold case review into Elizabeth Plunkett's death and a renewed public appeal for evidence. An Garda Síochána has not commenced any new investigation or cold case review into the murder of Ms Plunkett. Ms Nolan explained that it was an area they knew nothing about at the beginning, and that they had had to pick through everything a thousand times to understand why the case was left the way it was. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne she said they were grateful to their legal team, and that the research conducted by Documentary On One has been "fabulous". "We have been putting together a timeline of everything that happened, and now we just need to know why these decisions were made. "With people able to use the guards in Wicklow and Wexford, the Doc On One and the legal team, that's three places that if anyone wants to get in contact. It opens it up another little bit. "Hopefully, the more leads we get, the better." She said that the process has been chilling and shocking, and that she and her sister had never considered that there would be anyone else affected by this. Bonus episode detailing case progress Today, they are launching a petition on the website called: "Justice for Elizabeth Plunkett", and they encouraged people to sign it. Ms Nolan said it is another way of presenting the case to the parole board, the Government, An Garda Síochána, the DPP and the Minister for Justice. "We want to let everyone see what happened, and they can be part of the change and really help us." Speaking about taking part in the podcast, she said that she and her sister felt a responsibility to Elizabeth and everyone out there, and it was a hard thing to do, but the support since has been amazing. "After we relived what we had gone through that we had buried, it just became completely unacceptable. "Irish life has changed so much over time. What might have been acceptable in the 1970s is definitely not acceptable now, and that's why we decided to approach the Doc On One team". She said that she was grateful to their relations, colleagues, friends, and neighbours in Ringsend, Dublin. She added that their children and grandchildren were nervous for them, but very proud of them at the same time.
RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Stolen Sister episode 6, recapped
Be warned, if you're reading this article, I will assume you have listened to the first five episodes of Stolen Sister, the new podcast from RTÉ Documentary On One made in collaboration with the family of Elizabeth Plunkett. Elizabeth was abducted, raped and murdered by John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans - Ireland's first serial killers - in 1976. Both men were originally charged with the murder, rape and false imprisonment of Ms Plunkett and Mayo woman Mary Duffy. But a parole application from Shaw in 2023 revealed that he was never convicted for Ms Plunkett's murder despite previous reports. Now, her family wants justice, and this very live investigation hopes to help them achieve their aim. So, if you have any information on John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans, the Plunkett family has asked that you contact the podcast makers through documentaries@ This week's episode explains the recent events which brought the Plunkett family, namely sisters Kathleen Nolan and Bernie Plunkett, to the team at Doc On One. It also brings listeners up to speed on where Elizabeth's murderers are today. Evans had a massive stroke in 2009 and was left in a coma for three years. When he eventually died in 2012, nobody claimed his body. The Irish Prison Service buried him in an unmarked grave. As for Shaw, in 38 years of being incarcerated, he has only received one family visit. In 2016, he made an application to get temporary release from prison. This was rejected by the then Minister for Justice. However, in 2020, he was granted his request. This means that for two days each year, he is allowed temporary escorted release from prison, but now he wants more. To find out exactly what that means, you have to keep reading or hit play above on episode six of Stolen Sister. A gentle reminder that this podcast contains some pretty distressing information, so read on (and listen) with care. Parole You see, temporary release privileges were not enough for Shaw, now he wants to be released for good. For over 40 years, the Irish prison service has kept the Plunkett family abreast of Shaw and Evans' movements. In 2023, Shaw started an application for parole, so the Parole Board reached out to the Plunkett family for a submission. Because they were the family of a victim, the parole board said they could take part in the process and have their say. They could offer views on whether the prisoner should or should not be released, and possible conditions they would like to see attached to a parole. The family were granted free legal aid, and their solicitor Aimée McCumiskey of James MacGuill and company helped them register as victims and fill out the relevant paperwork. The family were definite - they did not want Shaw released. This was the first time anybody had asked Elizabeth's family to describe how they really felt - what they went through and the long-term impact of their sister's horrific murder. Bernie and Kathleen wrote their submissions in the knowledge that Shaw was permitted to read what they submitted. Then their solicitor received some alarming news that would rewrite everything the Plunkett family knew about their sister's case… Because Shaw was never convicted of Elizabeth's murder, a fact not even the Parole Board was aware of until they made the family complete their parole submission. To find out how this happened, you need to hit play, but unfortunately, this was not the only shock the family were about to get. I kind of put my heart and soul into it because I thought it would really help. And I pulled myself inside out, very personal things in now which I deeply regret - Kathleen Nolan Relevant victims According to the Parole Board, their discovery meant that despite Shaw having confessed to Elizabeth's murder, the Plunkett family were no longer "relevant victims." They were to be excluded from the parole process and their submissions discounted. Bernie described the discovery like a "slap in the face". Because they were not going to be part of the parole process, the firm of MacGuill and Company was no longer being paid by the State to represent the family. But the solicitors were so horrified by how the family had been treated that they agreed to keep working with them free of charge until they got answers. It was this search for information that led them to the team at RTÉ Documentary On One. While the Doc team was trying to establish Elizabeth's cause of death, our producers made another startling discovery… the State never issued a death certificate for Elizabeth. Why was no death certificate issued, you ask? Because unusual deaths require inquests, another thing Elizabeth was not afforded. The procedures that normally happen did not happen for Elizabeth, all the things that a citizen is entitled to, they were not afforded to Elizabeth - Kathleen Nolan Correspondence One of the above revelations would be earth-shattering to a family, so needless to say, the Plunkett family has a lot of questions for the powers that be. Did Shaw get to read their original submission to the parole board? Why was there no conviction, no inquest and no death certificate issued for Elizabeth? And how could so much of this information have stayed hidden for so long? Through some digging, it emerged that the DPP had entered a nolle prosequi for Shaw on all charges related to Elizabeth - translation, he was not acquitted but was also not charged with her murder. It is a stay on a prosecution meaning that the case can be reopened. Why did they do this? Nobody knows. Bernie and Kathleen tried to contact a number of Government agencies to raise awareness about their situation and get some answers. But every agency turned them away. In November 2024, the Documentary at One team contacted the same State agencies, including the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice. In essence, the DPP said that legally speaking, they are under no obligation to explain what happened to the family and had no intention to take further action against Shaw unless An Garda Síochána presented them with new information. That is why it is imperative that if you have any information or witness testimony about this case, you need to come forward. This could be Kathleen and Bernie's only hope for justice for Elizabeth. It got to the stage that the lie was told so many times. That everybody believes it's true. You know they're in jail for Liz. They're not. Not one day has been served for Elizabeth - Kathleen Nolan The inquest Needless to say, an inquest desperately needed to be held. But when Wexford coroner, Dr Sean Nixon, went to An Garda Síochána, they told him they did not have the relevant files… However, Dr Nixon had heard everything that had happened with Elizabeth's case and was determined to gather the evidence and make an inquest happen. Thankfully, Doc On One was able to provide him with the relevant documents he needed to proceed. Just before Christmas in 2024 Dr Nixon reached out to the Plunkett family's Solicitor James McGuill; an inquest was finally going to be held in January 2025. This week, the podcast will take listeners inside the Gorey courthouse alongside the Plunkett family as they try to secure Elizabeth the dignity and respect she deserves. To learn the coroner's ruling you need to hit play above, but I will say this, it made national headlines back in January. It's like being brought back to 1976 when we picked up Elizabeth's remains in Wexford from the hospital. So this is how we find ourselves today. Going to an inquest 49 years later - Bernie Plunkett
RTÉ News
10-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Stolen Sister episode 2, recapped
Ireland is reportedly set to have a particularly hot summer this year, so expect packed Ryanair flights, bursting beaches and men in shorts the second it tips towards 20C. Well, in 1976, something similar happened. It was a record-breaking summer, people booked foreign holidays, consumed sunny pints with friends and hit the beach, but as summer was drawing to a close, something profoundly evil infected the Irish shores, and it came in the form of Ireland's first serial killers - John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. While evading the authorities in the UK, the pair decided to come to Ireland under false identities, and after a stint in prison for various burglaries across the country, they made a pact to abduct, rape and murder a woman a week until they were caught. The pair murdered two women - Elizabeth Plunkett and Mary Duffy, before receiving life sentences for their crimes, and that was supposed to be the end of it. But, a parole hearing for Shaw that began two years ago would unravel the case of Elizabeth's murder and force her family to question everything about this case to date. The team at RTÉ Documentary On One have joined forces with the Plunkett family and host Roz Purcell to create Stolen Sister, a six-part podcast dedicated to finally getting Elizabeth the justice she deserves. To learn more about the second instalment of this series, keep reading or hit play on your nearest streaming device. Witness Gardaí were able to accurately calculate Elizabeth's final movements in Brittas Bay Co Wicklow thanks to witnesses' testimonies gathered following her disappearance - many of which are recited by actors throughout this podcast. The series reminds the listener that a simple decision like not turning your car around or not getting involved in a stranger's odd exchange can irrevocably alter the course of multiple lives. We learn that a witness, Mary Anne Greene, saw Elizabeth on the street right before she was abducted wearing her white slacks, navy blue Saint Tropez sweater and sandals. Greene later drove past Castletimon woods, where the two men had brought Elizabeth. She could see a vehicle parked on the right-hand side to the opening to the woods. It was lit up inside - this happened at roughly 12.45am, meaning Elizabeth was still alive. Another witness, David James McDonald, witnessed Evans slow down, pull over and speak to Elizabeth; he later told investigators that he knew something felt off. McDonald turned to his friend in the passenger seat and asked if they should turn back. The friend said no, so they drove on. Despite what her killers would later claim, Elizbeth's best friend Mella still maintains that she never would have willingly gotten into a car with a strange man. "I know Liz, she would never have got into a car without knowing who they were. I know she wouldn't because she was my friend. And we used to talk about things like that. We were always terrified of anything like that." I pulled in near the supermarket and said to my friend should I go back and see if everything is alright and my friend advised me to go home as we might be sticking our noses into something that didn't concern us - David James McDonald, witness. Elizabeth is missing A few minutes after Elizabeth left McDaniel's pub in Brittas Bay, her boyfriend Damien went looking for her. He had his sister, Mella check the bathroom, and when Elizabeth was nowhere to be found, he frantically began to search. The couple's friend Joe McCoy and his girlfriend Annette McLoughlin drove around Wicklow trying to catch a glimpse of Elizabeth. But it was too late because Shaw and Evans had already abducted Elizabeth and brought her to a nearby woodland to rape her and ultimately end her young life. Kathleen Nolan née Plunkett remembers the morning after her sister went missing, the doorbell rang while the family prepared Sunday lunch. Now, reader, this is private family information that has never before been made public - until now. A young woman Kathleen did not recognise was at the door asking for Elizabeth, Kathleen told her that she was away for the weekend. Elizabeth's mother knew something was off, but by the time she raced after the woman, she had disappeared. To hear what happened next, you really must stream. They both came down to the house, and started to tell my mam and Damien came in. He told her that they had a row and that Elizabeth said she was going home and we've searched for her and we cannot find her - Bernie Plunkett, sister. The search Damien checked the home of Elizabeth's older sister Joan and her husband Jimmy, but she wasn't there either. It was then he knew he had to tell the Plunkett family. Once the family learned of Elizabeth's disappearance, the search effort went into overdrive. But there is nothing like a mother's intuition, according to Kathleen and Bernie; their mother knew instantly that Elizabeth was dead. The Plunkett family's local garda station in Irishtown said they could not help until Elizabeth had been missing for 24 hours as she was over 21. But they were not going to wait that long and returned to Wicklow to search till dark. After 36 hours, Elizabeth's brothers Eddie and Thomas came from Cork to join the search. During that first week of searches, the country became gripped by the case. The civil defence, the guards, friends, neighbours, colleagues, everyone joined the search for Elizabeth. The podcast's proximity to the family allows the listener to fully come to grips with the terror and desperation they felt during the investigation as they recount the most traumatic moments of their lives. God, I just, held it in my arms and I just said, oh, please, let her be alive or let her, you know, please let us find her - Mella Bushe, friend Castletimon Woods A week after Elizabeth went missing, the gardaí launched a large-scale methodical search that took place on rough land near Castletimon woods. Down a laneway leading from the roadway into the forest Joe McCoy would make a discovery… A discovery that would suggest his friend Elizabeth had faced an unimaginable fate and was quite possibly no longer alive. I've left the tragic details out of this piece, so you'll have to stream the episode to find out more. It's desperation you feel. And you're confused. And you're like, no, who could, where could she have gone? You can't just disappear off the face of the earth. Somebody has to know…" - Bernie Plunkett, sister Close encounters While the Plunketts spent every waking hour looking for Elizabeth, her killers were still close by… Garda Nicky Crennan speaks to the series creators about a call he received a few hours after Elizabeth went missing. The owner of McDaniel's pub at that time also owned the nearby caravan park. He reported that two men were acting strangely in the park, and Garda Crennan responded to that call. He had no idea the men he was about to encounter had just murdered a young woman and were in the process of disposing of the evidence. The men were standing by a fire when the authorities arrived and told Garda Crennan they were drying their clothes. They gave the names John and Geoffrey Murphy from Fethard when questioned, which Garda Crennan instinctively wrote down. But, something did not add up for the officers, as despite looking completely different, the men said they were brothers. The second this bit of information was queried, the men suddenly decided they were "step-brothers". Evans and Shaw burned Elizabeth's white slacks and t-shirt in that field. News of Elizabeth's disappearance had not broken, so Garda Crennan told the men to stop trespassing and leave. But not even this encounter spooked the killers. Instead, they stayed in that caravan park until the next day robbing a few caravans before they left. They were doing bugger all, only trespassing and I suppose we told them they were on private property, you shouldn't be here - Garda Nicky Crennan If anyone has any information on John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans, the Plunkett family have asked that you contact the podcast makers through documentaries@
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Stolen Sister - the new true crime podcast from Doc On One
I have a friend who often remarks that you instantly know if someone has a sister. She says there is a marked difference between those with and without someone who flips between screaming at them for stealing their favourite dress to gabbing about the latest family gossip in less than two minutes flat. It is a distinct bond familiar to sisters Kathleen, Bernie and Joan Plunkett. In 1976, their sister Elizabeth left a pub in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, after a row with her boyfriend. She walked down the road to cool off, and instead, she met Ireland's first serial killers - John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Elizabeth's murder and later that of Mayo woman Mary Duffy would become two of the most heinous crimes in the history of the Irish State. While many believe Elizabeth's case concluded nearly 50 years ago after both men received life sentences for their crimes, this is far from the truth. This is why in July 2024, Bernie and Kathleen found themselves contacting the team at RTÉ Documentary On One. The women had already asked the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and the State Solicitor's Office for help, but to no avail, so this was their last resort. The result is Stolen Sister, a six-part podcast series unpacking how a parole application from Shaw, now the State's longest-serving prison, shattered everything the family thought they knew about their sister's case. Kathleen and Bernie, with the assistance of other family members and some friends of Elizabeth, will, for the first time, lead the public behind the scenes of Elizabeth's case, recounting memories of the days leading up to and after her murder. Mary Duffy's sister will also contribute to the series - it will be the first time anyone from the Duffy family has spoken publicly in nearly 50 years. The combination of witness statements and the murderer's recollections transports the listener back to 1976, creating a chilling realism that when juxtaposed against a family reflecting on their trauma, solicits a tension and discomfort few true crime podcasts achieve. The two timelines of past reflection and present-day reality ensure that the audience can never relax or slip into the slightly unhealthy state of enjoyment that often comes while listening to true crime, you remain painfully aware of what happened to Elizabeth, how she was likely feeling and the impact her death has had on her loved ones to this day. While many believe Elizabeth's case concluded nearly 50 years ago after both men received life sentences for their crimes, this is far from the truth. The producer behind the podcast, Nicoline Greer, said she was partially drawn to the project because of the Plunkett family's deep bond and dedication to getting justice for their sister. Something they claim she was robbed of, despite what the history books say. "Bernie and Kathleen have been the main spokespeople for the family in this podcast. They speak so eloquently and authentically about their experience and about how loved Elizabeth was," said Greer. "We are very honoured that they have trusted us to tell Elizabeth's story." Greer added that the series uncovered other attempted abductions that were never before linked to this case. Stolen Sister is narrated by model, author, radio host and influencer Rozanna Purcell. In truth, when one thinks of a gruesome crime story, Roz Purcell is not a name that comes to mind - however, the familiarity of her voice lends beautifully to Elizabeth's story. Purcell''s image is squarely focused on relatability whether discussing body issues, her love of the outdoors or her sisters - she exemplifies the normal everyday struggles of the average Irish woman, albeit with model good looks. Elizabeth was the middle child of eight; her family and friends recall how she adored fashion, travelling and music. She was an everyday Irish woman doing the most natural thing in the world, walking down the street when her life was suddenly stolen. It is perhaps this relatability that makes this tale such an unnerving listen, a fact Purcell touches on throughout her narration. The podcast also highlights the glaring failings within the Irish and English legal systems and the stark reality that if proper justice had originally been served, maybe Elizabeth and Mary could still be alive. This series is about justice, not spectacle. Both men were from the North of England and had arrived in Ireland to evade rape charges in the UK. They were arrested in Ireland before the murders for burglary and had a year-long stay in Irish prisons in Limerick and Mountjoy. When they murdered Elizabeth and Mary, they were awaiting an extradition hearing back to the UK. After they were caught, the men told the gardaí they knew they had limited time left, so they decided to abduct, rape and murder a woman for a week until they were caught, and that's exactly what they did. The statements given by Shaw and Evans in the aftermath of the murders are recited throughout the episodes as they recount in detail how they hunted and executed the women. What stands out is the repeated use of the word "bird" while referring to their victims. They dehumanise and objectify women with this verbal tic, reinforcing how inconsequential and disposable their victims are to them. The series alludes to what happened to Elizabeth in the woods the night she was killed but handles the details around her final hours with great care, another nod to its refusal to bend to common genre tropes and its respect for the Plunkett family - reminding the listener that this series is about justice, not spectacle. Throughout, the family describe the split in their lives: life before Elizabeth died and life after her murder. In the words of her brother Eddie - "We were a very united, large Dublin working class family. The bond then was unique… Little did we know that all of this would come crashing down, it destroyed the peace." The series is aided by an epic soundtrack that would not be out of place on an HBO TV show, compliments of Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck and performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. The music imitates the emotional states of the people at the centre of this story, when the Plunkett family return to Brittas Bay for the first time since their sister's murder the dominant string instrument, the violin, is accompanied by a harp to lighten the tone, mimicking the motion of the waves climbing up and down the scale. It feels solem and contemplative as the family ruminates on their present day relationship with the area, knowing now what happened to their sister. A colleague remarked to me when I told her what I was working on that the murders of Elizabeth and Mary reminded her of the iconic surrealist television series Twin Peaks, in which a beautiful young woman is attacked in a wood, murdered and her body thrown in a lake to be found by the townspeople. The character's death awakens an evil in her rural town that shatters illusions of a peaceful world and changes the fabric of all who inhabit it. Except this story is not a fantasy, these characters were real people, emblematic of an ongoing reality for women and a justice system that continues to fail them.
