Crime World

Crime World

Hit podcast about criminals, drugs and the sins of the underworld - now with further in-depth investigations and exclusive insights at our new website crimeworld.com.


An Unlikely Statesman: How Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch Almost Got Elected is OUT NOW - https://www.crimeworld.com/podcast-series/an-unlikely-statesman/


Creative Commons License Attribution (CC BY): Music by ketsa.uk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episode's summary

The horrors of Ireland’s last witch trial will be brought to life by former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy in a new documentary to be screened over Halloween. Dr Cassidy goes back in time to 1711 when eight women living in the close knit community of Islandmagee were accused of witch-craft, tried, jailed and stoned. Nicola talks with Marie about the fascinating story and the modern investigative skills she brought with her to tell it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

1926-

Dr Marie Cassidy explores Ireland's last witch trial

The horrors of Ireland’s last witch trial will be brought to life by former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy in a new documentary to be screened over Halloween. Dr Cassidy goes back in time to 1711 when eight women living in the close knit community of Islandmagee were accused of witch-craft, tried, jailed and stoned. Nicola talks with Marie about the fascinating story and the modern investigative skills she brought with her to tell it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Oct 2026
1925-

‘Coward punch’: Families of one-punch attack victims campaign for sentencing changes

Sharon Lynn and Brian Gallagher discuss their 'Walk Away' campaign, which seeks to address unprovoked violence and sentencing reform in Ireland following the loss of their brothers to one-punch attacks. They highlight the similarities between their cases and draw inspiration from Australia's 'Coward's Punch' initiative to raise public awareness. The episode also explores the tragic death of Keane, the emotional toll on his family, and the devastating long-term effects of acquired brain injuries. The speakers advocate for greater consistency in sentencing, better transparency within the court system, and more robust data collection to understand the true scale of unprovoked violence in Ireland.

26 Oct 2026
1924-

John Gilligan facing over 11 years in prison after allegedly running drug lab in Spanish villa

This episode of Crime World examines the legal challenges facing veteran criminal John Gilligan, who is currently facing a potential 11-year prison sentence in Spain. The discussion details recent drug and firearm charges involving ketamine, cocaine, marijuana, and a modified starter pistol discovered during a raid on a villa in Torrevieca. The podcast traces Gilligan's history from his high-profile criminal activities in Ireland, including his links to the murder of Veronica Guerin, to his more recent operations on the Costa Blanca. The analysis covers his various arrests, his involvement in a synthetic drug lab described as 'Breaking Bad style,' and the current state of his influence within the criminal underworld.

23 Oct 2026
1923-

Killer Christa Pike and her botched execution

Host Maimon Dillon interviews documentary maker Steve Payne about his experience filming Krista Pike on death row in the late 1990s. The discussion covers the brutal details of the murder of Colleen Slemmer, the role of alleged Satanism in the trial, and how Pike's traumatic childhood impacted her case. The episode also explores the complexities of Pike's criminal history, including her violence in prison and the details of her botched execution attempt. The conversation concludes with a debate on the effectiveness and morality of the death penalty in the United States.

23 Oct 2026
1922-

Should family killer Gregory Fox be allowed move to an open prison?

This episode of Crime World explores the case of Gregory Fox, a man convicted of murdering his wife and two sons in 2001, who has recently been moved to an open prison in County Wicklow. Host Kiva Young is joined by Clare Laxton, host of the Killer in the Family podcast and PhD researcher specializing in intimate partner homicide, to discuss the implications of Fox's sentence management and the patterns of behavior behind family annihilation. The conversation delves into the mechanics of coercive control, the concept of 'overkill' in domestic violence, and the different typologies of male family annihilators. Through Laxton's research into over 100 cases, the episode examines how perpetrators often use narratives of being a 'devoted father' to mask brutal, calculated violence. The discussion also touches upon the psychological profiles of killers—including the self-righteous and anomic types—and the lasting trauma experienced by surviving family members who remain forever impacted by these crimes.

22 Oct 2026