And Simone Lahbib (Wire in the Blood, Monarch of the Glen), Matthew McNulty (Five Days, Lark Rise to Candleford) and Sean McGinley (Lewis, Closing the Ring) join the cast for six episodes filmed entirely on location in the wilds of Connemara.

Jack lives above the Garda station now. His deputy, Finbarr Colvin (David Herlihy) is opportunistic and venal which often leaves Jack working single-handed with back-up a very long way away.

Sean McGinley is Costello, a retired Guard who has taken over Mallon's bar but has more sinister ambitions and readily exploits former police colleagues in a bid to undermine Jack. And award-winning actor Stephen Rea (Father & Son, The Shadow Line) guest stars in the first two-parter.

Episode 1 - The Lost Boys Part 1

A dark family secret and the murder of an elderly recluse force Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll (Owen McDonnell) to confront a brutal past while grappling with the accused, troubled delinquent Ruairi (Diarmuid Noyes).

Jack is moving into the living quarters above the Garda Station when he’s called out by holiday makers whose reclusive neighbour, Seamus Devlin has been attacked and killed.

Jack calls his deputy, Finbarr (David Herlihy), who is on paternity leave, following the birth of twins, to secure the scene of crime, whilst he apprehends the young suspect and brings him down the mountain to question him in the presence of local Adventure Centre Warden, Pat McGlinchey (Barry Barnes). Ruairi denies killing the old man but then Jack discovers a broken walking stick near the scene of crime, and the victim's home ransacked…

Episode 2 - The Lost Boys Part 2

When Brian (Matthew McNulty), Eithne’s nephew, arrived from England in search of information on his long-lost father and his origins, Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll (Owen McDonnell) was happy to help him dig in to the past. Having retraced the steps of this mysterious Uncle, Sean (Stephen Rea), it’s a shock when Jack finds him alive and living in a local bail hostel. More worryingly he has uncovered evidence of his father, formerly the Garda Sergeant, having chased Sean out of town, away from his mother, and the Doyle land she has inherited.

Episode 3 - Between Two Fires Part 1

An abandoned housing development is destroyed by fire and Jack is convinced the new owner Dennis Costello, a local publican, had a hand in the crime. The sergeant finds photographic evidence that his old friend Killian Kinsella lied about not seeing the blaze and fears he did a deal with Costello to torch the properties.

Episode 4 - Between Two Fires part 2

Jack confronts Killian about the fire at the housing development, and discovers he had been having an affair - a revelation that puts a new suspect in the frame. However, the Garda's investigation is complicated by his growing attraction to Gemma and internal divisions within his family, and Jack's life becomes even more fraught when old enemy Jim Dooley returns.

Episode 5 - A Cold Heaven Part 1

Jack investigates a car accident involving a local teenager, and suspects the girl of being in an abusive relationship. However, he is unable to focus on the case due to tensions back at home, where he continues to be the subject of Brian's simmering hatred.

Episode 6 - A Cold Heaven Part 2

Jack is suspended from the Garda following his attack on Brian, and faces the prospect of losing both his career and Gemma. Meanwhile, Brian gleefully sets about taking revenge on his cousin, Finbarr struggles to fend off Costello, and Mairead's hopes of escaping Kerrigan's clutches appear to be rapidly dwindling.

ITV’s Single-Handed Episode Guide Series 2

Rural policing in West Ireland

Starring Owen McDonnell, Ian McElhinney, Simone Lahbib, Matthew McNulty and Sean McGinley.

Photograph of Owen McDonnell who plays Jack Driscoll