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Assume Nothing

Latest episodes

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Aug 20, 2022 • 26min

Episode 2: Absolutely Terrified

BBC reporter Laura McDaid held Martin Barry's hand as he died at the Dignitas Clinic. 17 years later, she begins a search to fulfil his last request: to find his birth mother and pass on a message.To move forward with the search, Laura first needs to explain why it's taken her 17 years to have the strength to search for Martin's mother.She takes Kerry back to the aftermath of Martin's death, and how it was handled by the press at the time.Will the records provide her with any further information?
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Aug 20, 2022 • 26min

Episode 3: The Prodigal Son

Laura McDaid held her ex's hand as he died at the Dignitas Clinic. Seventeen years later, she begins a search to fulfil his last request: to find his birth mother and pass on a message.As the search intensifies, Laura speaks to a Bessborough survivor who tells her that she suspects records were deliberately falsified at the institution.As Laura makes contact with a woman she think's could be Martin's mother, a chance phone call could change everything.
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Aug 20, 2022 • 26min

Episode 4: The Celebrity

Laura McDaid is searching for the birth mother of a close friend who died 17 years ago at Dignitas.As concerns surface that his birth mother may have already told him she didn't want to meet, Laura explores what rejection can feel like with another Bessborough survivor. Could a DNA link to a UK celebrity be on the cards?
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Aug 20, 2022 • 26min

Episode 5: Bleeding from the Ears

Laura McDaid is searching for the birth mother of a close friend who died 17 years ago at Dignitas.She revisits a story Martin worked on 20 years ago - and speaks to his source for that story. Might it hold some clues?
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Aug 20, 2022 • 26min

Episode 6: The Final Throw

Laura McDaid is trying to fulfil a last request to her friend, Irish journalist Martin Barry to track down his birth mother and pass on a message. Martin died at the Dignitas Clinic in Zurich 17 years ago.Laura visits Bessborough to see for herself where Martin was born.His adoption file feels like the last chance she has to find her, will it provide the information that she needs?
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May 21, 2022 • 29min

Episode 1: The First Good Source

Dramatised memoir of a Special Branch officer operating at the outset of the Northern Ireland Troubles. James (not his real name) runs a network of informers and sources operating along the border area of South Down and South Armagh during the worst years of violence. For both handler and source, it’s a matter of life and death. Some names, dates and details have been changed to protect the living.Episode 1: The First Good SourceJames sees an opportunity when a young IRA volunteer is arrested on a burglary charge. Working together, they are soon disrupting IRA activity – but it’s a high stakes game, and the informer’s life is soon in grave danger. Cast:James – Jonathan Harden Interviewer – Michael Patrick Source – Marty Maguire Military Intelligence Officer – Paul Mallon Army Radio Voice – Marty MaguireA BBC Northern Ireland Production.
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May 21, 2022 • 35min

Episode 2: The Interrogation

A dramatised memoir of a Special Branch officer operating at the outset of the Northern Ireland Troubles. James (not his real name) runs a network of informers and sources operating along the border area of South Down and South Armagh during the worst years of violence. For both Handler and Source, it’s a matter of life and death. Some names, dates and details have been changed to protect the living.Episode 2: The InterrogationA key informer continues to provide invaluable intelligence and helps James escape a murder attempt in Newry – but the informer isn’t so lucky. When an IRA headcount leads to his abduction and interrogation, the source’s life hangs in the balance.Cast:James – Jonathan Harden Interviewer – Michael Patrick Source – Marty Maguire Wife – Megan Armitage Military Intelligence Officer – Paul MallonA BBC Northern Ireland Production.
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May 21, 2022 • 28min

Episode 3: Dangerous Liaisons

A dramatized memoir of a Special Branch officer operating at the outset of the Northern Ireland Troubles. James (not his real name) runs a network of informers and sources operating along the border area of South Down and South Armagh during the worst years of violence. For both Handler and Source, it’s a matter of life and death. Some names, dates and details have been changed to protect the living.Episode 3: Dangerous LiaisonsFrustrated by the lack of cooperation between governments north and south, James decides to take matters into his own hands and makes a dangerous trip across the border. Meanwhile, he develops a friendship with Captain Robert Nairac and is soon liasing with the SAS – but this leads to serious friction between the two jurisdictions when Gardaí grow suspicious of an intelligence operation.Cast:James – Jonathan Harden Interviewer – Michael Patrick Garda Special Branch officer – Faolan Morgan Captain Robert Nairac – Patrick Fitzsymons Source – Marty Maguire Wife – Megan ArmitageA BBC Northern Ireland Production.
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May 21, 2022 • 35min

Episode 4: Internment day

A dramatized memoir of a Special Branch Officer operating at the outset of the Northern Ireland Troubles. James (not his real name) runs a network of informers and sources operating along the border area of South Down and South Armagh during the worst years of violence. For both Handler and Source, it’s a matter of life and death. Some names, dates and details have been changed to protect the living.Episode 4: Internment day James recalls the chaos of the 9th August 1971, when hundreds of men were arrested by the Army after the introduction of internment. Meanwhile, an informer operating close to the border provides valuable intelligence on changes within an IRA unit, giving James an unusual opportunity – but the Provisionals soon grow suspicious, leading to unforeseen consequences. Cast:James – Jonathan Harden Interviewer – Michael Patrick Prisoner – Faolan Morgan Lieutenant – Paul Mallon Source – Marty Maguire Wife – Megan ArmitageA BBC Northern Ireland Production
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May 21, 2022 • 27min

Episode 5: The Quartermaster

A dramatised memoir of a Special Branch officer operating at the outset of the Northern Ireland Troubles. James (not his real name) runs a network of informers and sources operating along the border area of South Down and South Armagh during the worst years of violence. For both Handler and Source, it’s a matter of life and death. Some names, dates and details have been changed to protect the living.Episode 5: The Quartermaster James is working late at Newry Police Station when a shot is fired. Amid the confusion, a crucial IRA suspect is arrested – but how did he get there? Captain Robert Nairac invites James to join him on a trip, but James is shocked when he discovers their destination.Cast: James – Jonathan Harden Interviewer – Michael Patrick Source – JD Ruddy Robert Nairac – Patrick Fitzsymons Newry Police officer/phone police officer – Michael Patrick A BBC Northern Ireland Production.

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