105 - Vendetta: The murder of Tracy Butler

In July of 1993, 17 year old Tracy Butler was set upon and stabbed to death while walking home in what appeared to be a random act of violence. But as gardai began investigating the case, they began unravelling a complicated web of relationships - ones which had turned sour. ******** (Please note: I misspoke in this episode a few times and said Ballynatty instead of Ballynanty. My Limerick-knowledge is severely lacking in general, and was definitely guilty of being a Dubliner making fun of Limerick. I've done my best here!)  ********* With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Please listen to friends of the show and OGs of the True Crime podcasting world - Generation Why from Wondery! Find them here  Sign up for professional online counselling at betterhelp.com/mens and get 10% off your first month! ********* Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store! ********* 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/ ********* Sources: Noel Smith, “Gardai unravel tragic Tracy's last movements” in The Irish Independent  (15 July 1993) p. 4 Noel Smith, “Tracy: gardai plea for 'last hour' details” in The Irish Independent  (16 July 193) p. 3. Noel Smith, “Knives found in Tracy murder probe” in The Irish Independent  (17 July 1993) p. 3. “Four women arrested in hunt for girl's killer” in The Evening Herald  (17 July 1993) p. 4. “Four women arrested” in The Sunday World   (18 July 1993) p. 19. “Two charged with killing” in The Sunday Tribune   (18 July 1993) p. 1. Mary Carolan, “Women knifed girl (17) to death, court told” in The Irish Independent   (2 March 1994) p. 6. “Women killed teenager, court hears” in The Irish Times  (2 March 1994) p. 4 “Stabbing 'by person in black'” in The Irish Independent  (2 March 1994) p. 6. “Badly-cut victim 'fell into house'” in The Irish Independent  (2 March 1994) p. 6. Mary Carolan, “Stabbing victim had 49 injuries, jury told” in The Irish Independent  (3 March 1994) p. 12 “Girl's lungs pierced in stabbing, court told” in The Irish Times  (3 March 1994) p. 7. “Murder trial arguments continue” in The Irish Times   (4 March 1994) p. 6. “Legal argument in murder trial” in The Irish Times  (8 March 1994) p. 17. “Trial is delayed” in The Irish Independent  (8 March 1994) p. 5. “Jury to return” in The Irish Independent  (6 March 1994) p. 6. “Garda says woman claimed she planned killing” in The Irish Times   (22 March 1994) p. 5. For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com