The Crime I Can't Forget

On 19th May 2002, 34-year-old Paul Gault was found murdered in his home in Lisburn, where he lived with his wife, Lesley, and their five-year-old triplets.

Initially, detectives believed they were dealing with a violent burglary gone wrong, but it became clear that the crime scene was meticulously staged, suggesting a deeper, more sinister motive. A thread of suspicion emerged, pointing to a frequent daytime visitor to the Gault residence.

As Detective Inspector Roy McComb delved into the case, a darker truth emerged – this was no ordinary crime. Instead, it was a calculated act of jealousy. This unique and challenging investigation focused on two main suspects: Lesley Gault, Paul's wife, and her lover, Gordon Graham. What followed was a relentless pursuit of justice, culminating in not one but three gruelling criminal trials.

But the impact of this crime stretched beyond the courtroom. Jonathan Gault, the couple's son, still carries the emotional scars of that day. He shares his perspective, shedding light on the impact on his life and the frustration he feels toward those who doubted his mother's innocence and the man who took his father's life.

On 12th August 1981, Ballinderry, County Antrim, experienced a profound tragedy when nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy was abducted while cycling to a nearby friend's house.

A huge search effort commenced, uniting countless local volunteers and law enforcement officers who meticulously scoured local roads, fields, and woodlands in a desperate quest to find her. Tragically, six days later, Jennifer's lifeless body was discovered submerged in a pond. The post-mortem revealed a horrifying truth: she had not only been murdered but also sexually assaulted. Despite the exhaustive search and grim discovery, the case reached a dead end. No credible suspect emerged, and justice remained elusive.

For over two decades, the case remained unsolved. Then, in 2002, it was reopened and Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray led the investigation. His focus turned to a series of similar crimes in 1980s Britain. The conviction of Robert Black for the murders of three young girls led Detective Murray to consider whether Black could have been responsible for Jennifer's murder.

Uncovering the truth was a monumental task. Detective Murray and his team had to sift through over 20 tonnes of paper evidence collected by three different police forces.

Throughout this challenging process, Jennifer's father, Andy Cardy, grappled with the heart-wrenching reality of losing his daughter. Sitting in the courtroom, he bore the weight of listening to damning evidence against the man eventually convicted of her murder. Yet, Andy also offers a powerful insight into human resilience, revealing how his faith helped him overcome the all-too-human instincts of hatred and the desire for revenge. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, he found a path towards healing and forgiveness.

On 8th October 2004, Rachel Callaly was found brutally murdered in her Dublin home. Very quickly,the finger of suspicion pointed towards her husband Joe O'Reilly, who played the part of a perfect husband, fooling friends and family alike. It took three years of surprising twists and turns, bizarre encounters and ground-breaking detective work to secure a conviction.

The programme has access to the key people at the forefront of this investigation including Pat Marry, one of Ireland's most straight-talking detectives, who recounts his many challenging encounters with the man he believed to be Rachel's murderer. For Pat, this case became deeply personal, a relentless mission to ensure justice was served.

In 1983, the IRA kidnapped British supermarket executive Don Tidey near his Dublin home. This triggered an unprecedented response from Irish law enforcement, with a joint operation involving the police and the Irish armed forces. The extensive manhunt marked a historic moment of cooperation between the two organisations.

Over the course of three weeks, the search led to dense woodland in County Leitrim. Tragically, the operation concluded with a double fatality: the loss of army Private Patrick Kelly and Garda recruit Gary Sheehan.

Retired Sergeant Major PJ Higgins, who served in the Irish Defence Forces, takes us back to the tumultuous search. Four decades later, he reflects on the mistakes that marred the rescue mission, leading to a fatal shootout and the tragic loss of his colleague, Patrick.

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Cyril Meehan of the Irish police remembers the sorrowful day of his friend Gary Kelly's death.

Retired Detective Inspector Edwin Handcock provides insights into the subsequent investigation. In addition, Private Kelly's son, David, shares the enduring impact of his father's death and his unrelenting pursuit of justice.

In the heart of West Belfast, a promising young boxer is tragically found stabbed to death. PSNI Detective John McVea faces the challenge of solving a murder that holds the potential to disrupt the fragile peace within the community.

Eamonn Jr. was a 22-year-old engineering student and the son of champion boxer Eamonn Magee Sr. His murder occurred in Twinbrook, an area where distrust between the police and the community remains high.

To successfully crack the case, Detective McVea must gain the trust and cooperation of the community. This pivotal moment prompts him to make a groundbreaking decision, not only altering the course of the investigation but also reshaping his entire approach to policing.

In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II made history as the first British monarch to visit Ireland.

The visit has gone down in history as a high-water mark in Anglo-Irish relations, during which the Queen astonished Irish dignitaries, politicians, journalists and the public alike, when she spoke in the Irish language at a state banquet in Dublin Castle.
It all could have been very different.

While these remarkable events unfolded, four senior Gardai were facing the biggest challenge of their careers. Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy was tasked with ensuring public order during the visit. He and his team had just nine weeks to secure every building, rooftop, and rubbish bin along the Queen's route around Dublin city. But as the Queen entered the capital, hundreds of Gardai suddenly found themselves under attack from public protesters. Pat led the battle to restore order so that the historic events could unfold peacefully.

Meanwhile, a viable improvised explosive device was found on a bus heading for Dublin, Garda intelligence revealed a capable lone wolf bomber who posed a real and credible threat to the safety of the royal party. Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahony led the investigation as detectives raced to track down the bomber before he could strike the state banquet at Dublin Castle.