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Murdered to Keep a Secret

Detectives investigate the tragic house fire deaths of a mother and baby, uncovering lies and threats that place the husband as the main suspect.

In September 1992, Esther McCann and her 18-month-old daughter, Jessica, tragically lost their lives in a house fire in south Dublin.

What seems like a tragic accident takes a more sinister turn when retired sergeant Pat Treacy and superintendent Martin Walker uncover disturbing death threats leading up to the fire, all seemingly aimed at Frank McCann, Esther's husband and a respected swimming coach.

In one of the most harrowing cases of their career, Pat and Martin recall how as they dig deeper, Frank鈥檚 claims of being targeted unravel, exposing a sinister web of lies that establish him as the central focus and prime suspect in the investigation. Crime scene mapper Michael Campbell details how the truth was uncovered in the ashes of the house fire, in a case that became one of the longest running trials in Irish history.

Esther McCann's niece, Esther Leonard, describes the effect these murders have had on her close-knit family and her fears for the future, if their murderer walks free.

Release date:

48 minutes

On TV

Next Tuesday 22:40

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Credits

Role Contributor
Series Producer Ruth Mulcahy
Director Paddy Murray

Broadcasts

  • Next Tuesday 22:40
  • Next Thursday 23:05