S17E02 | Julie Tennant (Ballymena, County Antrim, 2000)

In the early hours of August 5, 2000, Julie Tennant disappeared without a trace from her parents' home in Ballymena, Co Antrim. As days passed with no sign of the 21-year-old, a massive search effort was launched, but hopes of finding her alive faded with each passing moment.

Just over two weeks later, the grim reality came to light - a shallow grave concealed Julie’s remains, bringing the missing person investigation to a devastating conclusion. But who was responsible for her death, and what led to her brutal fate?

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Bail turned down twice. (2000, November 15). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 3.
Breen, S. (2002, June 2). SUPERGLUE PSYCHO BOTCHES SUICIDE. Sunday Life, 17.
Donnelly, M. (2002, January 29). Attacker “glued victim’s lips together so he wouldn’t have to hear moaning.” Irish Independent, 5.
FIND JULIE: Fears grow for girl’s safety. (2000, August 16). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1.
Harkness, R. (2000, August 25). Man charged with murder. Belfast News-Letter, 1.
Hayes impassive at jury verdict. (2002, February 13). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 4.
Hayes tells jurors of his “living hell” after Julie’s death. (2002, February 6). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 22.
Hayes’ to appeal murder conviction. (2002, April 17). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 3.
Higgins, K., & Kilpatrick, R. (n.d.). The impact of paramilitary violence against a heroin-user community in Northern Ireland: A qualitative analysis. In HRB National Drugs Library. International Journal of Drug Policy. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/6781/1/2858-3047_The_impact_of_paramilitary_violence.pdf
Hopes fade in search for missing woman. (2000, August 24). Belfast News-Letter, 4.
“I went blank and saw red.” (2002, February 2). Belfast News-Letter, 7.
Jordan, H., & Campbell, J. (2002, February 10). SUPERGLUE KILLER THINKS HE’S DEVIL. Sunday World (Dublin), 12.
Julie murder bail refused. (2000, November 8). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1.
Julie murder charge man set for trial. (2001, January 24). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 3.
Man on Julie murder charge. (2000, August 26). Belfast News-Letter, 2.
Mathers, N. (2002a, February 1). “Death likely due to suffocation.” Belfast News-Letter, 11.
Mathers, N. (2002b, March 9). Superglue murderer jailed for 17 years. Belfast News-Letter, 1–2.
Missing Julie: man is quizzed. (2000, August 24). Belfast News-Letter, 2.
Mulholland, G. (2000, August 23). HOUSE SEALED. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1.
Murder charge. (2001, December 5). Belfast News-Letter, 9.
Murder trial is told of “wailing.” (2002, January 30). Belfast News-Letter, 7.
Murder trial put back. (2001, December 12). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 7.
Pathologist “not certain” glueing of lips caused death. (2002, February 6). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 33.
RUC renews missing plea. (2000, August 12). Belfast News-Letter, 2.
Spence, B. (2001a, April 25). Coleraine venue for Julie murder trial. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1.
Spence, B. (2001b, November 28). Julie murder trial starts next week. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1.
Spence, B. (2002a, January 30). “I have killed a girl” - Hayes’ alleged confession. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 22–23.
Spence, B. (2002b, January 30). SHE WAS “GAGGED” WITH GLUE. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 1.
Spence, B. (2002c, February 27). Julie killer dumps hjs legal team. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 3.
Sudden halt in murder trial. (2002, February 6). Belfast News-Letter, 6.
Sunday Life, & Barnes, C. (2025, March 9). Glued-lips killer returned to jail for keeping his past a secret. PressReader. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.pressreader.com/uk/sunday-life/20250309/281689735576610
THE KILLER WITH NO PITY. (2002, March 13). Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 7.
Tragic Julie is laid to rest. (2000, August 28). Belfast News-Letter, 4.
Trial delay for man on murder charge. (2001, December 6). Belfast News-Letter, 3.
We have justice at last - Julie parents. (2002, February 8). Belfast News-Letter, 3.
Woman killer abandons appeal. (2003, January 11). Irish Independent, 4.