Latest news with #StolenSister
Dublin Live
2 days ago
- Dublin Live
Sisters of victim of Ireland's first serial killers break silence and demand justice
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Elizabeth Plunkett was just 23 years of age when she was murdered by Ireland's first serial killers almost 50 years ago. Career criminals John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans from Lancashire left the UK and travelled around Ireland in the summer of 1976, resolving to kill one woman a week. They had only recently been released from prison when they abducted and brutally raped Elizabeth before murdering her. They later told gardai their intention was to "kidnap, rape and kill one woman a week" for as long as they could get away with it. Their killing spree ended with the murder of Elizabeth and cook Mary Duffy, 24, in Co Mayo. They were both handed life sentences in February 1978. Shockingly, despite Englishman Shaw confessing to the brutal killing of Elizabeth in August 1976 along with his now deceased partner-in-crime Geoffrey Evans, the pair were never actually convicted of her murder. The DPP at the time decided only to prosecute them for another murder, of Mary Duffy. Ms Plunkett, from Ringsend in Dublin, was raped, strangled and her body was tied to a lawnmower, before being rowed out to sea at Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow. Her remains were found on Duncormick beach in Co Wexford four weeks later. Now, for the first time Elizabeth's sisters Bernie and Kathleen are speaking out as they seek justice for Elizabeth, through RTÉ's latest podcast series, Stolen Sister, presented by Roz Purcell. This is the first time that any of Elizabeth's family have spoken about her death publicly. They're determined to get justice for her and restore some dignity to Elizabeth's memory. "We had tried every avenue, everything," Bernie says on the podcast. "We appealed and appealed and appealed. We went to the DPP, they said no, the Garda Commissioner said no and we went to the State solicitor's office," said Bernie. "This is our last resort, breaking our silence." Stolen Sister begins with the story of Elizabeth and how she fell in love with her boyfriend Damien. After spending a holiday together in France, the couple decided to meet friends for a night away in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow on August 28, 1976. When Elizabeth waved goodbye to her mother that afternoon, nobody knew that it would be the last time her family would see her. The pals gathered in a pub in Brittas for drinks but a disagreement broke out and Elizabeth ended up leaving the pub. Meanwhile, Shaw and Evans had left Fethard in Tipperary where they were laying low following their release from prison for robberies and had driven to Dublin to collect suitcases belonging to Evans. They later decided to drive to Brittas to "break into some caravans." But, their real intention, which they admitted to gardai was to "kidnap, rape and kill one woman a week" until they were caught - a garda interview recording of the pair revealed during the podcast. They admitted to gardai they drove around "on the lookout" for women. Later that night, as Elizabeth left the pub in Brittas alone, she was abducted and brutally raped and murdered by Shaw and Evans. A month after Elizabeth was attacked her body washed up on a beach in Co Wexford. Following a nationwide manhunt, her attackers were both arrested but not before they killed a second Irish woman, 23-year-old Mary Duffy. The two murderers Shaw and Evans received life sentences in prison. No one was ever convicted of the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett despite both men confessing to her murder. Documentary maker Nicoline Greer said: "It's been an honour to be able to tell Elizabeth's story and for the Plunkett family to have trusted us to tell it. When Kathleen and Bernie first came to us, I never could have imagined how far this story would take us. "Over the last year, I feel I have come to know Elizabeth and I hope that this series can go some way to restoring some justice and dignity to Elizabeth and the Plunkett family." Following a verdict of unlawful killing in January at her inquest, Ms Plunkett's family called on the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to reopen the case and resubmit a file to the DPP. On January 23, a jury of seven returned a verdict of unlawful killing in Ms Plunkett's case at an inquest at Gorey Courthouse in Co Wexford. Following the verdict, her heartbroken family issued a statement through a solicitor stating they are grateful to the jury for "restoring some dignity to our precious Elizabeth". Following the inquest two weeks ago, family solicitor James MacGuill read out a statement from the family calling on the DPP to prosecute Shaw for his part in her brutal killing. Mr MacGuill said outside Gorey Court: "Elizabeth was hunted down and savagely killed by two men who, less than a month later, went on to murder another woman, Mary Duffy. "Despite these vile criminals confessing to murdering both Elizabeth and Mary, they were only ever convicted of Mary's murder. With this new development, we're calling on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to reopen the case into Elizabeth's death and submit a new file to the DPP." They added: "Although one culprit died, the other remains in an Irish prison for murdering Mary Duffy. But he also confessed and was charged with falsely imprisoning, raping and murdering our sister Elizabeth – yet the DPP decided against prosecuting him for these crimes by entering a nolle prosequi. We now want the DPP to explain that decision." During the inquest hearing, Detective Inspector Murt Whelan from Wexford Garda Station told how during the course of their detention, Shaw and Evans admitted to being involved in the abduction, rape and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett. Shaw, who with accomplice Evans became known as the State's first serial killers, has been behind bars since September 1976. The twisted killer, who is likely to die in jail because of the severity of his crimes, met Evans in an English prison where they hatched their chilling plot to abduct, torture, rape and murder women. Their killing spree ended with the murder of young clerk Elizabeth Plunkett, 23, in Co Wicklow and cook Mary Duffy, 24, in Co Mayo. They were both handed life sentences in February 1978. Evil Evans spent almost four years in a coma at a Dublin hospital before dying of sepsis in 2012. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. 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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE podcast series Stolen Sister explores murder of Elizabeth Plunkett
Elizabeth Plunkett was just 23 years of age when she was murdered by Ireland's first serial killers almost 50 years ago. Career criminals John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans from Lancashire left the UK and travelled around Ireland in the summer of 1976 resolving to kill one woman a week. They had only recently been released from prison when they abducted and brutally raped Elizabeth before murdering her. They later told gardai their intention was to "kidnap, rape and kill one woman a week" for as long as they could get away with it. Their killing spree ended with the murder of Elizabeth and cook Mary Duffy, 24, in Co Mayo. They were both handed life sentences in February 1978. Shockingly, despite Englishman Shaw confessing to the brutal killing of Elizabeth in August 1976 along with his now deceased partner-in-crime Geoffrey Evans, the pair were never actually convicted of her murder. The DPP at the time decided only to prosecute them for another murder, of Mary Duffy. Ms Plunkett, from Ringsend in Dublin, was raped, strangled and her body was tied to a lawnmower, before being rowed out to sea at Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow. Her remains were found on Duncormick beach in Co Wexford four weeks later. Now, for the first time Elizabeth's sisters Bernie and Kathleen are speaking out as they seek justice for Elizabeth, through RTÉ's latest podcast series, Stolen Sister, presented by Roz Purcell. This is the first time that any of Elizabeth's family have spoken about her death publicly. They're determined to get justice for her and restore some dignity to Elizabeth's memory. "We had tried every avenue, everything," Bernie says on the podcast. "We appealed and appealed and appealed. We went to the DPP, they said no, the Garda Commissioner said no and we went to the State solicitor's office," said Bernie. "This is our last resort, breaking our silence." Stolen Sister begins with the story of Elizabeth and how she fell in love with her boyfriend Damien. After spending a holiday together in France, the couple decided to meet friends for a night away in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow on August 28, 1976. When Elizabeth waved goodbye to her mother that afternoon, nobody knew that it would be the last time her family would see her. The pals gathered in a pub in Brittas for drinks but a disagreement broke out and Elizabeth ended up leaving the pub. Meanwhile, Shaw and Evans had left Fethard in Tipperary where they were laying low following their release from prison for robberies and had driven to Dublin to collect suitcases belonging to Evans. They later decided to drive to Brittas to "break into some caravans." But, their real intention, which they admitted to gardai was to "kidnap, rape and kill one woman a week" until they were caught - a garda interview recording of the pair revealed during the podcast. They admitted to gardai they drove around "on the lookout" for women. Later that night, as Elizabeth left the pub in Brittas alone, she was abducted and brutally raped and murdered by Shaw and Evans. A month after Elizabeth was attacked her body washed up on a beach in Co Wexford. Following a nationwide manhunt, her attackers were both arrested but not before they killed a second Irish woman, 23-year-old Mary Duffy. The two murderers Shaw and Evans received life sentences in prison. No one was ever convicted of the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett despite both men confessing to her murder. Documentary maker Nicoline Greer said: "It's been an honour to be able to tell Elizabeth's story and for the Plunkett family to have trusted us to tell it. When Kathleen and Bernie first came to us, I never could have imagined how far this story would take us. "Over the last year, I feel I have come to know Elizabeth and I hope that this series can go some way to restoring some justice and dignity to Elizabeth and the Plunkett family." Following a verdict of unlawful killing in January at her inquest, Ms Plunkett's family called on the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to reopen the case and resubmit a file to the DPP. On January 23, a jury of seven returned a verdict of unlawful killing in Ms Plunkett's case at an inquest at Gorey Courthouse in Co Wexford. Following the verdict, her heartbroken family issued a statement through a solicitor stating they are grateful to the jury for "restoring some dignity to our precious Elizabeth". Following the inquest two weeks ago, family solicitor James MacGuill read out a statement from the family calling on the DPP to prosecute Shaw for his part in her brutal killing. Mr MacGuill said outside Gorey Court: "Elizabeth was hunted down and savagely killed by two men who, less than a month later, went on to murder another woman, Mary Duffy. "Despite these vile criminals confessing to murdering both Elizabeth and Mary, they were only ever convicted of Mary's murder. "With this new development, we're calling on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to reopen the case into Elizabeth's death and submit a new file to the DPP." They added: "Although one culprit died, the other remains in an Irish prison for murdering Mary Duffy. "But he also confessed and was charged with falsely imprisoning, raping and murdering our sister Elizabeth – yet the DPP decided against prosecuting him for these crimes by entering a nolle prosequi. We now want the DPP to explain that decision." During the inquest hearing, Detective Inspector Murt Whelan from Wexford Garda Station told how during the course of their detention, Shaw and Evans admitted to being involved in the abduction, rape and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett. Shaw, who with accomplice Evans became known as the State's first serial killers, has been behind bars since September 1976. The twisted killer, who is likely to die in jail because of the severity of his crimes, met Evans in an English prison where they hatched their chilling plot to abduct, torture, rape and murder women. Their killing spree ended with the murder of young clerk Elizabeth Plunkett, 23, in Co Wicklow and cook Mary Duffy, 24, in Co Mayo. Evil Evans spent almost four years in a coma at a Dublin hospital before dying of sepsis in 2012. The first episode of RTÉ Podcast Stolen Sister is available now on the RTÉ Radio Player and wherever you listen to your podcasts. Episodes will drop every Friday and will broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 at 6.30pm on Friday evenings. Anyone with information on Elizabeth's story should contact: documentaries@ The soundtrack to Stolen Sister was composed by Academy Award winning composer Stephen Warbeck and was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Sisters of Elizabeth Plunkett speak for first time in 50 years
A brand new podcast series about her murder Stolen Sister was released today Elizabeth Plunkett, murdered by Englishmen, Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw on August 29, 1976. Picture supplied by family The sisters of murdered Elizabeth Plunkett have spoken publicly about her death for the first time in 50 years. The 23-year-old was murdered in August 1976, by Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw. A brand new RTÉ podcast Stolen Sister delves into the abduction, rape and murder of the young woman in Co Wicklow. Speaking on the first episode of the programme, her sister Bernadette Barry recounted the last time they saw her. She explained that on the sunny Saturday she vanished, Elizabeth was getting ready to go to visit friends in Brittas Bay. Elizabeth Plunkett, murdered by Englishmen, Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw on August 29, 1976. Picture supplied by family News in 90 Seconds - May 30th 'My mam and my Aunt Lily were sitting in the kitchen having a cup of tea. 'I was just relaxing on the bed. I was throwing these few things together. 'So there was a wedding on up at the church. My mom and my aunt Lily rambled up to the church. So they were standing outside the church, obviously waiting for the bride to come out,' she explained. "[Elizabeth's lift] had eventually come along, pulled up beside the cottage, I heard her going out the door and she said, 'I'm off. I'll see you'. 'And I said, 'Bye, I'll see you then when you get back.' Elizabeth then drove by her mother and aunt as they began their journey out of Ringsend. 'My mom and Auntie Lily waved her off, 'have a good time', and little did my mom know that she was waving her off forever.' Bernie and her sister Kathleen said they contacted RTE Doc On One for help to get justice for their sister after they learned that while her killers had been jailed, they were not tried for her murder. Bernie said they were told 'no' by the DPP, the state's solicitor officer and the Garda Commissioner when they appealed for the murder investigation to be reopened. The two British men, Shaw and Evans, came to Ireland in the 1970 with the intention of murdering one woman per week, but were detained after they killed their second victim, Mary Duffy. Elizabeth's family were unaware of this fact until 2023, when they contacted the Parole Board when killer John Shaw was seeking temporary day release. No inquest had been held, and no death certificate was issued. In January 2025, a jury at Gorey District Court returned a verdict of unlawful killing, with her cause of death recorded as asphyxia due to strangulation.
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Roz Purcell narrates new doc about murder of Elizabeth Plunkett by killers Evans and Shaw
The six-part podcast series Stolen Sister is set for release this week. Elizabeth Plunkett, murdered by Englishmen, Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw on August 29, 1976. Picture supplied by family Roz Purcell is set to narrate a brand new RTE radio documentary and podcast about the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett in 1976. Stolen Sister delves into the murder of the 23-year-old, who was abducted and killed by Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw after a night out in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow. The two British men came to Ireland with the intention of murdering one woman per week, but were detained after they killed their second victim, Mary Duffy. Elizabeth Plunkett, murdered by Englishmen, Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw on August 29, 1976. Picture supplied by family News in 90 Seconds - May 28th However, the men were only sentenced for Duffy's death, not that of Elizabeth Plunkett. Taking to social media, the influencer and RTE 2FM presenter announced that she would host the six-part series ' I dunno why I'm so nervous to come on and talk about it,' she began. 'I think it's because we've been working on this for pretty much a year now, and I've just seen the incredible amount of work that the RTE Doc on One team, like the dedication, the investigation, and passion they have to create these podcasts. 'We're hoping with this podcast that it will appeal to people for new information,' she continued. 'It'll appeal for new witnesses to get this case re-looked at and finally get this family justice. 'I'm absolutely so delighted to be involved and help in any way that I can to share this story.' Purcell said she wants to help Elizabeth's sisters Kathleen and Bernie get justice for their sister. 'We're not just talking about Elizabeth as a victim, where also talking about who she was. 'I feel like anyone who's involved in this project is so invested in helping this family.' The first episode of Stolen Sister is set to be released this Friday.
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- 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.
