A pair of siblings known as the “Scissor Sisters” carried out a heinous murder in Ireland by beheading and dismembering their mother’s boyfriend before disposing of his body in a canal. The gruesome act, perpetrated by sisters Linda and Charlotte Mulhall, shocked the nation 20 years ago. The victim, Farah Swaleh Noor, 40, was found dead in Dublin’s Royal Canal in March 2005. Detective Garda Daniel Kenna described it as one of the most disturbing cases he had encountered, emphasizing the brutality of the mutilation and the rarity of such violence by women.
The murder occurred during a weekend of excessive drinking and drug use involving the sisters and Noor, who was living with their mother, Kathleen, in Dublin. Allegations of violence against women and past rape accusations had tainted Noor’s history. The fatal incident was triggered by the sisters’ claim that Noor had attempted to rape one of them.
Following a day of substance abuse, Charlotte viciously stabbed Noor 27 times with a Stanley knife, while Linda attacked him with a claw hammer. The siblings then dismembered his body in the bathroom, disposing of the remains in plastic bags in the canal. The head and genitals were never recovered.
Charlotte was sentenced to life in prison for murder, while Linda received a 15-year sentence for manslaughter. Kathleen was also convicted for obstructing justice by concealing evidence and received a five-year sentence. Charlotte, currently the longest-serving female inmate in the country, has exhibited controversial behavior during her incarceration.
Despite Noor’s history of violence, authorities condemned the brutal manner of his death, emphasizing that such actions were unjustifiable. The Mulhall sisters’ criminal enterprise, including running a hair and beauty salon named Head And Shoulders, reflected a macabre reference to their crime. Linda, who pursued beauty therapy while incarcerated, was commended by her daughter for removing a perceived threat from society.
Linda’s post-release actions, including her relocation to the UK, indicated a desire to move on from her past. Her attempts to reconnect with Charlotte suggested a desire to mend fractured family ties. The tragic events surrounding the “Scissor Sisters” continue to captivate public interest and scrutiny.