You're listening to the mens rea podcast and this is the story of Derek Benson. The Oh, Just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 13th in the year 2000. A call came into Dublin Fire Brigade, about a

fire at a unit in the four-story Sandy Hill Avenue apartment complex in Balimmon on the north side of Dublin City.

The alarm was raised after Claire Keeley, a resident of the building, heard screaming and

noticed smoke billowing from one of the second-story flats.

Three fire engines were dispatched to the scene along with two ambulances.

Upon arrival firefighters found the flash filled with thick smoke. In the main bedroom they discovered the body of

33 year old Derek Benson. First responders initially assumed that he had succumbed to

injuries sustained in the inferno, but as the flames were subdued, it became clear that Benson's death had nothing to do with the fire.

His body was covered in blood, and he had clear signs of significant trauma,

prompting the fireman to summon Gardee to the scene.

Benson was taken by ambulance to the matter hospital,

but due to the extent of his injuries he was pronounced dead on a rival.

Derek Benson was already known to Gardee. The father of one was a small-time drug dealer with a reputation for having a volatile nature,

and as the brutality of his injuries became clear, officers started to wonder if his death could be somehow related to his criminal activities.

A full murder inquiry was launched and within 24 hours a team of 50 officers were on the

hunt for Benson's killer.

Officers wasted no time canvassing his neighbors for any information that could shed

more light on the events surrounding his death.

But as the details of this savage killing began to emerge, they found their investigation

hampered by swirling rumors.

A post-mortem was performed by State pathologist Dr. Mary Cassidy, who found that Derek's body was covered in

knife wounds from head to toe. One incision to the neck was so deep that it cut

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