I Killed A Man And Buried Him [Assume Nothing]

“I Robert James Crawford do avow that Thomas Johnson was slain by me in a fair fight ?

So begins a mysterious murder confession, apparently written in 1860 – just after the worst years of the Irish Famine. The writer claims to have murdered his friend during a quarrel and then buried the body under the hearthstone of his father's kitchen in Drumkeen, County Monaghan – but is the confession real?

“He drew his knife and I drew mine he would have fled but I followed him into the hall and killed him there ?

As Brian sets out to try and find the alleged burial site he also digs through the history books to find out more about the murderer and his victim – and he finds his imagination drifting. Who were these men and what could have happened to lead to such a brutal murder?

Robert James Crawford – Faolan Morgan

Thomas Johnston – John D Ruddy

Written and presented by Brian Kernohan

Produced by Brian Kernohan and Conor McKay

What if someone confessed to a murder and told you where the body was buried?

Using a map drawn from memory, Brian and his mum set out to find the house she visited as a child – known as Drumkeen big house. But first they need to ask a local farmer for permission to search his land.

Meanwhile, Brian uncovers stories of brutal acts of violence in the years following the famine when Ireland was described as ‘one of the most dangerous places on earth' - and he begins to imagine what might happened on the night of the alleged murder.

Robert James Crawford – Faolan Morgan

John Trussan – John D Ruddy

Written and presented by Brian Kernohan

Produced by Brian Kernohan and Conor McKay

Brian and his mum set out to find the burial site in County Monaghan.

Before making a decision on whether to ask the farmer for permission to dig, Brian tries to find out more about the family who lived in the house at the time of the murder and re-examines the contents of the confession letter for any further clues.

He also seeks expert advice from a renowned geologist who has been involved in a number of searches for historical remains – described as the ‘Indiana Jones' of his profession.

Robert James Crawford – Faolan Morgan

Thomas Johnston – John D Ruddy

Written and presented by Brian Kernohan

Produced by Brian Kernohan and Conor McKay

Brian decides to enlist expert help in his search for Thomas Johnston's remains

The specialist team clear the site of undergrowth and beginning scanning with radar to try and find any evidence below ground – but the ground itself proves problematic.

Meanwhile Brian meets the landowner's sister who has found old family records that shed light on the life of the alleged killer – and Brian tries to work out how fake letters were sent from America to the family of the victim after his death.

Robert James Crawford – Faolan Morgan

Thomas Johnston – John D Ruddy

Mrs Johnston - Maggie Cronin

Written and presented by Brian Kernohan

Produced by Brian Kernohan and Conor McKay

The team use specialist equipment to examine what lies below ground

Brian and his team of experts decide to bring a digger on site, but there is still confusion about where the ‘Big house' actually stood. However, as they dig deeper they uncover something strange.

During a visit to the Seminary where the alleged murderer and victim went to argicultural college together, Brian finds himself wondering about their relationship and the secret ‘matter relating to ourselves two' that the murderer wrote about in his confession.

Robert James Crawford – Faolan Morgan

Thomas Johnston – John D Ruddy

Written and presented by Brian Kernohan

Produced by Brian Kernohan and Conor McKay

A digger arrives on site and begins to excavate

Having found an old floor that appears burnt and sounds hollow when tapped, the team watch on anxiously as the digger rolls into place and prepares to break through.

Meanwhile Brian examines an old newspaper notice apparently written by the murderer. It appears some farm land he is renting is up for sale. In the newspaper notice, he warns any potential buyers that they must lease it to him or he will take action. Was the murderous quarrel with his victim about land?

Robert James Crawford – Faolan Morgan

Thomas Johnston – John D Ruddy

Written and presented by Brian Kernohan

Produced by Brian Kernohan and Conor McKay

The team prepare to break through an old floor, but are they in the right place?