

Assume Nothing
BBC Radio Ulster
The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

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.

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

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.

May 21, 2022 • 31min
Episode 6: The Irish Englishman
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 6: The Irish Englishman
When James and the Military Intelligence officer meet a source in a Dublin department store, he tells them PIRA chief of staff Seán Mac Stíofáin will address an IRA meeting that same evening. They attend and gather valuable intelligence, but the Military Intelligence officer makes a mistake, placing them both in peril.Cast:
James – Jonathan Harden
Interviewer – Michael Patrick
Source – J D Ruddy
Military Intelligence Officer – Paul Mallon
A BBC Northern Ireland Production

May 21, 2022 • 31min
Episode 7: Blurred Lines
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 7: Blurred linesJames is worried that too many agencies have become involved in intelligence gathering, and shares his thoughts on allegations of collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries. Captain Robert Nairac assists James by helping a new IRA Officer Commanding have a change of heart, but Nairac’s risk-taking is placing him in ever increasing danger.Cast:James – Jonathan Harden
Interviewer – Michael Patrick
Robert Nairac – Patrick Fitzsymons
PIRA Officer Commanding – Michael PatrickA BBC Northern Ireland Production

May 21, 2022 • 33min
Episode 8: The Enemy Within
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 8: The Enemy Within
James is shocked to discover his home phone has been tapped by British Intelligence, and grows even more disillusioned when he is ordered to hand over one of his best sources to London in the aftermath of the Old Bailey Bombing of 1973. Cast:
James – Jonathan Harden
Interviewer – Michael Patrick
Tommy – J D Ruddy
Wife – Megan Armitage
Source – Marty MaguireA BBC Northern Ireland Production.

Feb 19, 2022 • 14min
Episode 3: Alone on the Pier
One priceless art collection, stolen twice - by two very different criminals. The Heiress & The General examines the lead up to both robberies, the aftermath and the hunt for the missing art – two paintings remain missing to this day.Episode 3: Alone on the PierPolice think they’ve found their chief suspect but as they wait for back-up, the suspect leaves and travels to the southern tip of Ireland, where she stands alone on a remote pier. When she returns, the police are waiting. A search of the cottage rented by the suspect under a false name provides a major break-through.
The Heiress & The General features documentary interviews alongside dramatised scenes written by Claire McGowan.Presented by Marie-Louise MuirCast:Rose Dugdale - Séainín Brennan
Con Hayes – Pat Mooney
Garda O’Leary – JD Ruddy
Garda Creedon – Marty Maguire
Garda 1 – Michael Patrick
Judge – Niall Cusack
Eddie – Paul Mallon
Marion – Maeve Bradley
Tiede Herrema - Jean-Paul Van Der VeldeProducer: Conor McKay
Executive Editor: Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland Production

Feb 19, 2022 • 16min
Episode 4: The General
One priceless art collection, two of the most daring robberies in art heist history - carried out by two very different criminals. The Heiress & The General examines the lead up to the robberies, the aftermath and the hunt for the missing art – two priceless paintings remain missing to this day.Episode 4: The GeneralMay 1986. Under cover of darkness, thieves break into Russborough House. They steal 19 paintings and escape unnoticed. When the alarm is raised, police initially suspect Republican paramilitaries, but intelligence soon points to a notorious Dublin gangster – Martin Cahill, aka The General.The Heiress & The General features documentary interviews alongside dramatised scenes written by Claire McGowan.Presented by Marie-Louise MuirCast:Martin Cahill – Lloyd Cooney
Shavo – Laurence Kinlan
Garda 1 – Faolan Morgan
IRA Man – Jonathan Harden
Tour Guide – Pat Mooney
Niall – Emmet Kirwan
Garda 2 – Faolan MorganProducer: Conor McKay
Executive Editor: Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland Production

Feb 19, 2022 • 17min
Episode 6: Tango One
One priceless art collection, two of the most daring robberies in art heist history - carried out by two very different criminals. The Heiress and The General examines the lead up to the robberies, the aftermath and the hunt for the missing art – two priceless paintings remain missing to this day.Episode 6: Tango OneIn his desperation to get rid of the stolen art, Cahill takes drastic and dangerous action. His dealings with Loyalist paramilitaries in Ulster reawaken an old and very bitter feud with the IRA. Meanwhile, another international police operation spins a delicate web to entrap Cahill and his gang – leading to a final showdown at Antwerp airport.The Heiress and The General features documentary interviews alongside dramatised scenes written by Claire McGowan.Presented by Marie-Louise MuirMartin Cahill – Lloyd Cooney
Shavo – Laurence Kinlan
Niall – Emmet Kirwan
Charley Hill – Marty Maguire
Belgian Police – Jean-Paul Van Der VeldeProducer: Conor McKay
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland Production


