Assume Nothing

BBC Radio Ulster
undefined
Feb 19, 2022 • 15min

Episode 5: The Hunt

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 5: The HuntMartin Cahill continues his feud with the Garda but is unaware that an elaborate sting operation is already being planned, involving multiple police forces from around the world – will he take the bait? Meanwhile The General sends his lieutenant to a high-stakes meeting with an American gangster – but all is not as it seems. The Heiress and The General features documentary interviews alongside dramatised scenes written by Claire McGowan.Presented by Marie-Louise MuirMartin Cahill – Lloyd Cooney TV Reporter – Faolan Morgan Garda 1 – Emmett Kirwan Charley Hill – Marty Maguire Tommy – Faolan Morgan Shavo – Laurence Kinlan Berman / FBI agent – Patrick Fitzsymons Dispatcher – Patrick Fitzsymons Undercover Agent – Jean-Paul Van Der VeldeProducer: Conor McKay Executive Editor: Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland Production
undefined
Feb 19, 2022 • 14min

Episode 1: A Knock on the Door

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 1: A Knock at the doorWicklow, 1974. A mysterious woman arrives at Russborough House speaking French. She claims her car has broken down. 45 minutes later, the biggest art heist in history is over. Who is behind the robbery - and what connects it to a hijacked helicopter used in a failed IRA bomb attack just three months earlier? The Heiress & The General features documentary interviews alongside dramatised scenes written by Claire McGowan.Presented by Marie-Louise Muir.Cast:Rose Dugdale – Séainín Brennan James Horrigan – Paul Mallon Man 1 – Michael Patrick Man 2 – Jonathan Harden Sir Alfred Beit – Niall Cusack Lady Clementine Beit – Maggie Cronin Hotel Receptionist – Maeve Bradley Helicopter Pilot – Paul MallonProducer: Conor McKay Executive Editor: Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland Production.
undefined
Feb 19, 2022 • 14min

Episode 2: The Heiress

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 2: The HeiressAs a police hunt for the paintings and the thieves intensifies across the country, a ransom note arrives on the desk of the director the National Gallery in Dublin. Clues point to an unlikely key suspect, a millionaire heiress who is already on the run from police. The search soon narrows to a remote area of West Cork.The Heiress & The General features documentary interviews alongside dramatised scenes written by Claire McGowan.Presented by Marie-Louise Muir.Cast: Rose Dugdale – Séainín Brennan James White – Paul Mallon Secretary – Maggie Cronin Detective – JD Ruddy Social Services Officer – Maeve Bradley Garda O’Leary – JD Ruddy Con Hayes – Pat Mooney Garda Creedon – Marty MaguireProducer: Conor McKay Executive Editor: Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland Production
undefined
Jan 15, 2022 • 26min

Episode 1: Clandestine Encounters

In a tiny apartment in San Francisco, lives an apparently ordinary, elderly man, with only the shirt on his back, a cheap plastic watch and one pair of shoes. Few know who he is, or what he was. This is the story of the backroom broker, who, through brown envelopes and the handover of billions, may just have changed the course of history. Some say he was recruited at a young age by the secret service, others tell a very different tale. His activities were shrouded in secrecy and wrapped in a fortune. Roma Downey tries to piece together the story of this man - as told by the people in his life from close family members to those who met him in clandestine encounters.Presenter: Roma DowneyProducer: Cathy MooreheadExec Editor: Andy Martin
undefined
Jan 15, 2022 • 26min

Episode 3: Cigars with Fidel

Living the American dream, Chuck makes a life altering decision that has a knock on effect across the world. Looking for new opportunities, Chuck meets with world leaders like Fidel Castro, and behind the scenes, plays a role in peace negotiations in Northern Ireland.Roma Downey pieces together the story of this man, as the truth unravels on how he went from being a billionaire to broke - as told by the people in his life, from close family members to Microsoft Tycoon Bill Gates.Presenter: Roma DowneyProducer: Cathy MooreheadExec Editor: Andy Martin
undefined
Jan 15, 2022 • 26min

Episode 2: Money Making Machine

Chuck's global money-making machine seemed unstoppable but what was the source? And how did it disappear? We enter into a world of savvy intelligence, tax free havens & a yearning to reconnect with ancestral ties in Ireland - all shrouded in secrecy and wrapped in a fortune. Roma Downey tries to piece together the story of this mysterious man across continents and airport terminals.Presenter: Roma DowneyProducer: Cathy MooreheadExec Editor: Andy Martin
undefined
Nov 27, 2021 • 26min

Episode 2: Secrecy's Veil

Across three serialised episodes, Ophelia Byrne follows a line on the map into the world of the Irish Boundary Commission – set up in 1924 to finalise the shape of the Irish border. It takes her into an improbable world of high statecraft, split communities, broken promises and many thousands of lives changed forever. Through original testimonies, secret letters and classified police reports, Ophelia tries to uncover what really happened up to the moment in 1925 when proposals for the new, final border line in Ireland hit crisis point. Then, both the British and Irish governments were prepared to take drastic action to have the Commission’s report ‘burned or buried’. Why? And what does it all mean now?Episode Two: Secrecy's VeilOphelia finds out what happened next to some of the border communities which testified to the Irish Boundary Commission. As she hears stories of blocked roads and political tensions, a chance discovery in the archives makes Ophelia begin to question the entire Boundary Commission process. Presenter: Ophelia Byrne Producers: Conor Garrett & Ophelia Byrne Exec Editor: Andy Martin
undefined
Nov 27, 2021 • 26min

Episode 1: Drawing the Line

Across three serialised episodes, Ophelia Byrne follows a line on the map into the world of the Irish Boundary Commission – set up in 1924 to finalise the shape of the Irish border. It takes her into an improbable world of high statecraft, split communities, broken promises and many thousands of lives changed forever. Through original testimonies, secret letters and classified police reports, Ophelia tries to uncover what really happened up to the moment in 1925 when proposals for the new, final border line in Ireland hit crisis point. Then, both the British and Irish governments were prepared to take drastic action to have the Commission’s report ‘burned or buried’. Why? And what does it all mean now?Episode One: Drawing the LineWhen Ophelia travels from Northern Ireland to visit her parents in Galway, her mum tells her she’s worried about the potential for violence over the future of the border in Ireland. Tracing descendants of those who testified to the Irish Boundary Commission almost a century ago, Ophelia discovers what was at stake for those who back then made their case to be included on one side of the frontier or the other. But a search through previously classified government correspondence reveals one of the Commissioners may not have been playing by the rules. Presenter: Ophelia Byrne Producers: Conor Garrett & Ophelia Byrne Exec Editor: Andy Martin
undefined
Nov 27, 2021 • 26min

Episode 3: Burned or Buried

Across three dramatic episodes, Ophelia Byrne follows a line on the map into the world of the Irish Boundary Commission – set up in 1924 to finalise the shape of the Irish border. It takes her into an improbable world of high statecraft, split communities, broken promises and many thousands of lives changed forever. Through original testimonies, secret letters and classified police reports, Ophelia tries to uncover what really happened up to the moment in 1925 when proposals for the new, final border line in Ireland hit crisis point. Then, both the British and Irish governments were prepared to take drastic action to have the Commission’s report ‘burned or buried’. Why? And what does it mean now?Episode Three: Burned or BuriedWith both the British and Irish governments in crisis, the final shape of the border in Ireland is agreed at speed and not in the way that's been anticipated. At the stroke of a pen, the fate and future national identity of thousands of lives is decided upon as the frontier is fixed. In the wake of Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol and with increasing calls for a referendum on Irish reunification, Ophelia realises the story of the Irish Boundary Commission could matter more now than ever before. Presenter: Ophelia ByrneProducers: Conor Garrett & Ophelia ByrneExec Editor: Andy Martin
undefined
Nov 1, 2021 • 4min

Rape Trial: Before You Begin

A rape trial that changes everything, for the acquitted, the woman and the legal system. When two rugby players go on trial for rape, there will be dramatic consequences for years to come.January 2018. An Irish rugby international and his young team mate are on trial, accused of raping a woman at a house party. Outside the court house, there are queues of people trying to get in. Inside, scuffles break out to get the best seats in the packed public gallery. On Twitter, thousands are following the trial and sharing their opinions on who they think is telling the truth. After nine weeks, the two men are acquitted. Although the jury's not guilty verdict was unanimous, the public's verdict is not. Crowds gather on the streets of Belfast and Dublin, waving banners saying 'I Believe Her' whilst others say justice has been done. There are criticisms of how both sides were treated over social media. There are loud calls for change. A former high court judge is immediately commissioned to review the criminal justice system for sex offences in Northern Ireland. While Sir John Gillen does not comment on any specific trial, what he recommends astonishes politicians, lawyers and campaigners alike. When his proposals are taken up, Northern Ireland will find itself at the forefront of radical reform in the way rape trials are heard in the future.Written and produced by Sarah Mole Commissioning and Executive Editor: Andy Martin

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app