In March 2005, Ireland was rocked by one of its most shocking and gruesome murder cases, one that would forever be remembered in the annals of Irish crime. Sisters Linda and Charlotte Mulhall, dubbed the “Scissor Sisters” by the media, brutally murdered and dismembered their mother’s boyfriend, Farah Swaleh Noor, before dumping his remains in Dublin’s Royal Canal. This grotesque act sent waves of horror through the country, and the trial that followed left a lasting scar on Ireland’s legal and media landscape.

The Crime: A Night of Horror in Dublin

Farah Swaleh Noor, a Kenyan national, was living in Dublin when he entered into a tumultuous relationship with Kathleen Mulhall, the mother of Linda and Charlotte. According to reports, Noor had a violent past, with a history of abuse and rape. On March 20, 2005, a night of heavy drinking and drug use culminated in a deadly confrontation between Noor and the Mulhall family.

The sisters, along with their mother, returned to Kathleen’s flat after a day of drinking in Dublin. The night took a violent turn when Noor allegedly made sexual advances toward Linda. Enraged, Charlotte grabbed a Stanley knife and slit Noor’s throat while Linda repeatedly struck him on the head with a hammer. The two sisters then proceeded to dismember Noor’s body, chopping off his limbs and discarding the pieces into the Royal Canal. Noor’s head and penis were never recovered, adding further shock to an already grotesque crime.

The Aftermath: A Nation in Shock

The grisly nature of Noor’s death quickly captured national attention, with the media dubbing Linda and Charlotte as the “Scissor Sisters.” The trial, which took place in 2006, revealed disturbing details about the murder, including the fact that the sisters had dismembered Noor’s body over several hours. In court, Justice Paul Carney described it as “the most grotesque killing that has occurred in my professional lifetime.”

Charlotte Mulhall was sentenced to life in prison for murder, while Linda Mulhall received a 15-year sentence for manslaughter. Their mother, Kathleen, was charged with helping clean up the crime scene and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2009. The tragedy deepened when their father, John Mulhall, took his own life shortly after the trial, unable to bear the weight of the horrific events.

A Family in Turmoil

The Mulhall family’s background was marred by dysfunction and violence. Growing up in a troubled household, both sisters had a history of alcohol and drug abuse. Their father allegedly abused their mother, leading to the breakdown of the family. Kathleen’s relationship with Noor only added to the family’s instability. Farah Swaleh Noor himself had a violent history, including convictions for assault and sexual violence.

Linda’s life after the crime continued to spiral. Following her conviction, she battled with addiction and attempted suicide multiple times while in prison. Charlotte also continued to garner media attention, once photographed holding a knife to a fellow inmate’s throat, leading to increased security in Irish prisons.

Cultural Impact: A Crime That Haunted Ireland

The “Scissor Sisters” case has left a deep and lasting impact on Irish society. The chilling details of the crime, combined with the media’s sensational coverage, have cemented the Mulhall sisters’ story in the public consciousness. Several books, documentaries, and television series have been produced about the case, further emphasizing its gruesome nature.

The Irish Independent’s legal affairs correspondent noted that the crime “fuelled fears of ritual killings in Ireland,” showcasing how deeply this act resonated with the public. The trial, with its disturbing details, continues to be a reference point for extreme acts of violence in Ireland.

The Legacy of the Scissor Sisters

The story of Linda and Charlotte Mulhall, Ireland’s notorious “Scissor Sisters,” is one of dysfunction, brutality, and tragedy. Their crime shocked the nation, and the subsequent media attention transformed them into infamous figures in Irish criminal history. Despite the horror of their actions, the case also serves as a grim reminder of the social and psychological factors that can drive individuals to commit unspeakable acts.

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