Tom is a retired police detective and former army sniper who lives in a coastal Irish town. After forty years on the police force, he isolates himself in a wicker chair, hoping to find peace and distance himself from a violent professional history. His quiet retirement is interrupted when former colleagues bring a troubling historical case to his doorstep, forcing him to confront deeply suppressed memories.

June is Tom’s beloved wife, whom he first met while she was waitressing at a cafe in Dunleary. She is a warm, stylish, and resilient woman who shares Tom's history of growing up in harsh church-run orphanages. Her vibrant physicality and deep commitment to her family provide the central light in Tom's otherwise heavy existence.

Fleming is Tom's former police superintendent who was promoted above him despite being younger. He dresses sharply and carries the authority of his rank even in his interactions with the retired Tom. He serves as a primary link between Tom's quiet present and the active police investigations of the past.

Father Matthews is a Catholic priest who operated alongside Father Byrne. He represents the systemic corruption and institutional abuse prevalent in church-run systems, using his position of authority to commit horrific acts against vulnerable children while shielded by unwritten codes of silence.

Father Byrne is a priest who previously avoided prosecution when church authorities intercepted police evidence of his crimes. Years later, he faces fresh accusations and attempts to deflect blame onto others when cornered by modern investigators.

Winnie is Tom and June's intelligent daughter. She trains as a lawyer and possesses a fierce feminist drive to reform misogynistic elements in Irish law and culture. She maintains a tender, caring connection with her father, frequently bringing him small comforts like a housewarming kettle.

Joe is Tom and June's son, a medical doctor who relocates to the United States to serve a rural Native American community. He grows from a fearful child into a dedicated professional who builds strong community ties abroad, seeking space from the history of his homeland.

Wilson is an officer from Tom's old police division. He is amiable and tries to bond with the retired detective, showing a genuine respect for Tom's historical knowledge. He represents the modern police force's effort to address the systemic failures of the past.

O'Casey is a police officer in Tom's former division who partners with Wilson. He suffers from a severe stomach ulcer that acts up during stressful situations. He displays a strong sense of camaraderie with his partner as they review difficult historical crimes.

Billy is Tom's former police partner and a meticulous investigator. He is a supportive friend who gave a speech at Tom and June's wedding. Billy represents the moral core of Tom's past police work, known for his diligent record-keeping and loyalty to his team.

Ronnie, often referred to simply as the cellist, is Tom's wealthy and somewhat eccentric neighbor. He plays the cello at all hours and keeps a sniper rifle, inviting Tom over to bond over whiskey, music, and their shared loneliness.

Mr. Tomelty is Tom's wealthy landlord who lives in the main house attached to Tom's annex. Despite his financial status and ownership of the large property, he prefers to spend his time working quietly in the garden dressed in worn clothing.

Mrs. Tomelty is the landlord's wife, a gentle and knowledgeable woman who wrote a book on tea roses. She provides a comforting, almost ethereal presence in the main house, expressing gratitude for Tom's quiet strength near the property.

Miss McNulty is a young mother who rents the downstairs apartment from the Tomeltys. She is an actor fleeing an abusive marriage, seeking safety for herself and her son after the authorities previously failed to protect her family.

Jesse is Miss McNulty's young son. He lives quietly in the downstairs apartment with his mother, unaware of the full extent of the danger they are hiding from.

DS Scally is a female police detective who replaced Tom after his retirement. She represents a modern shift in the police force's demographics and approach to justice.