Sisters of Elizabeth Plunkett, who was murdered by Ireland’s first serial killers, speak for this first time in nearly 50 years 

- Series hosted by Roz Purcell 

On 28th August 1976, 23-year-old Elizabeth Plunkett met friends for a night away in Brittas Bay, County Wicklow. When Elizabeth waved goodbye to her mother that afternoon, nobody knew that it would be the last time her family would see her. Later that night, she was abducted and brutally raped and murdered by Ireland’s first serial killers - John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans - who had recently been released from prison. 

A month after Elizabeth was attacked her body washed up on a beach in County Wexford. Following a nationwide manhunt, her attackers were both arrested but not before they killed a second Irish woman, 23-year-old Mary Duffy. The two murderers Shaw and Evans received life sentences in prison. However, in 2022 the Plunkett family learned that Elizabeth never got justice. No one was ever convicted of the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett despite both men confessing to her murder.

Now Elizabeth’s family are breaking the silence that they’ve held for almost 50 years. Through RTÉ’s latest podcast series, Stolen Sister, presented by Roz Purcell, Elizabeth’s siblings – Bernie and Kathleen – are speaking out. This is the first time that any of Elizabeth’s family have spoken about her death publicly. They’re determined to get justice for her and restore some dignity to Elizabeth’s memory.

Documentary maker Nicoline Greer said: “It’s been an honour to be able to tell Elizabeth’s story and for the Plunkett family to have trusted us to tell it. When Kathleen and Bernie first came to us, I never could have imagined how far this story would take us. Over the last year, I feel I have come to know Elizabeth and I hope that this series can go some way to restoring some justice and dignity to Elizabeth and the Plunkett family.” 

The first episode of RTÉ Podcast Stolen Sister is available now on the RTÉ Radio Player and wherever you listen to your podcasts. Episodes will drop every Friday and will broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 at 6.30pm on Friday evenings.  

Anyone with information on Elizabeth’s story should contact: documentaries@rte.ie

The soundtrack to Stolen Sister was composed by Academy Award winning composer Stephen Warbeck and was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Listen to the first episode of the podcast series now

For more information please contact:  

Sarah Neville, RTÉ Communications