In 1981, Nora Sheehan went missing from Ballyphehane, Co Cork. She was found dead a week later, and gardai soon had a prime suspect for her murder while investigating another crime.

But a series of setbacks meant no trial was held in the case until 2023.

This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.

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Theme Music:

Quinn’s Song: The Dance Begins Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Additional Music: Allemande (Sting) by Wahneta Meixsell. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Sources:

Prime Time, “Family of cold case murder victim speak out”, available here on RTE Player

“Missing woman”, Irish Examiner, June 12th 1981

“Cork murder hunt”, Evening Echo, June 15th 1981

Dick Cross, “Body of murdered woman in wood”, Irish Independent, June 15th 1981

“No new leads in murder case”, Irish Examiner, June 16th 1981

“Murder hunt continues”, Irish Examiner, June 17th 1981

“No clues in murder hunt”, Evening Echo, June 18th 1981

“Gardai believe killer is known”, Evening Echo, June 19th 1981

Denis Reading, “Gardai warn killer could strike again”, Irish Examiner, June 20th 1981

For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

138 - The Longest Wait for Justice: Nora Sheehan