Families of murdered young people to feature in new series of TG4 true crime documentary

A true crime documentary series based on murders in Ireland returns to TG4 this month. 

Narrated by Doireann Ní Bhriain, it is the fourth series of Marú Inár Measc, a three-part documentary which shines a light on the effect that fatal crimes have on Irish society, local communities, and families left without answers. 

The first episode - which airs on January 31, 2024 - recalls the tragic murder of 24 year old mother of two Jennifer Poole, who was brutally murdered by her ex boyfriend Gavin Murphy in her apartment in Finglas, Dublin on April 17, 2021. Unknown to Jennifer, Gavin Murphy had thirteen previous convictions when they met. 

Her death highlighted the rise in numbers of domestic violence cases during the Covid 19 pandemic. This programme looks at the ongoing campaign by Jennifer Poole’s family to highlight domestic abuse in relationships and their lobbying for a new act 'Jennie’s Law', a register of previous domestic abusers. 

Episode two - which airs on February 7 2024 - features the family of 24 year old former model Lisa Doyle who was strangled to death with a shoelace by her fiancée Gerard O’Hara in Leighlinbridge, Co.Carlow, on September 20, 2009. Lisa’s murder sent shockwaves through the community as her family grappled to make sense of what had happened. 

Lisa’s family now understand that their sister had been living under coercive control and they hope that no one will ever have to suffer like she did. Viewers will learn what support can be given to families who have to navigate sudden and traumatic death. 

Episode three - which airs on February 14, 2024 - recalls the brutal murder of 17 year old Daniel McAnaspie who was murdered by Trevor Noone and Richard Dekker gruesomely by garden shears on February 26, 2010. His body was found three months after his death by a farmer in the Tolka Valley. 

Daniel became the first known child to be murdered while under the care of the HSE and his case raised questions of the State’s responsibilities for those in its care. Daniel's murder trial made history when Richard Dekker went on trial twice for the same crime and this story went all the way to the Supreme Court. Daniel’s family continue to fight on his behalf. 

Viewers can expect to hear interviews with Gardaí close to the case, those first on the scene, and those who interviewed the perpetrator at the time, as well as extremely personal interviews with loved ones of the murder victims as they continue their fight for justice. 

The series also features interviews with social care expert, Dr. Patrick McGarty, former detective Brendan Murphy and spokesperson for Support After Homicide, Rita O’Quigley, as well as many other well known journalists and experts. 

Midas Productions and TG4 have also produced a podcast, Marú Inár Measc, which runs alongside the TV edition and explores the societal impact of each case. It is available to listen to across all major podcast platforms.