
Assume Nothing
The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.
Latest episodes

Jun 15, 2024 • 15min
Episode 5: Greystone Mansion
Accused of bribery, Edward Doheny is feeling the pressure. Facing an uncertain future, he decides to start selling some of his vast oil business. Albert Fall, his old friend and co-accused, is first up in the courtroom – and the jury returns a devastating verdict.Meanwhile, Peter Devlin takes a tour of Greystone Mansion, Ned’s colossal family home, with the Mayor of Beverly Hills – Dr Julian Gold. Built while the Teapot Dome scandal raged, construction was overseen by Ned’s friend and secretary Hugh Plunkett – but how did two men from very different worlds become such close friends?In this eight part series, Peter Devlin and producer Conor McKay trace the extraordinary rags to riches story of Edward L Doheny – a penniless prospector who built a vast oil empire – to try and uncover the story of what really happened on 16th February 1929, when two men died in mysterious circumstances in Greystone mansion, Beverly Hills.Readings:Michael Patrick
Aoibhéann McCannPresented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay
Produced by Conor McKay
Executive editor Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production

Jun 15, 2024 • 14min
Episode 6: February 16th, 1929
9.30pm, Doheny avenue, Beverly Hills. A dark blue car approaches the gates of Greystone Mansion. The guard at the gates recognises the driver – it’s Hugh Plunkett. Waved through, Hugh drives into the estate. After a brief call to Lucy Doheny from the garage, Hugh enters the mansion and is soon alone in a guest bedroom with Ned Doheny. By midnight – both men are dead. What happened on that fateful day?In this eight part series, Peter Devlin and producer Conor McKay trace the extraordinary rags to riches story of Edward L Doheny – a penniless prospector who built a vast oil empire – to try and uncover the story of what really happened on 16th February 1929, when two men died in mysterious circumstances in Greystone mansion, Beverly HillsReadings:Michael Patrick
Aoibhéann McCann
Jonathan Harden
Patrick Fitzsymons Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay
Produced by Conor McKay
Executive editor Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production

Jun 15, 2024 • 22min
Episode 7: Five Theories
The morning after the tragic events at Greystone, detective Leslie T White brings his concerns about the evidence to District Attorney Burton Fitts. When witnesses are recalled to the hall of justice later that day, Dr Fishbaugh, the Doheny family physician, makes a surprising admission.Meanwhile, Peter meets internationally renowned artist Kerry Tribe, who was invited to exhibit at Greystone mansion in 2011.Intrigued by the story of Ned and Hugh, Kerry created a unique film exploring five different theories about what might have really happened that night.Readings:Michael Patrick
Aoibheann McCann
Jonathan Harden
Patrick Fitzsymons Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay
Produced by Conor McKay
Executive editor Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production

Jun 15, 2024 • 23min
Episode 8: In Forensic Detail
Clark W Fogg investigated crime scenes with the Beverly Hills Police Department for nearly 40 years – what can he reveal about evidence found at Greystone Mansion, and what does he think really happened that night?Readings:Michael PatrickPresented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay
Produced by Conor McKay
Executive editor Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production

May 11, 2024 • 20min
Episode 1: It’s On!
Writer Glenn Patterson finds out how, in May 1974, a tiny band of loyalists and unionists over fourteen days stages a strike that paralyses Northern Ireland, and slides it into anarchy.
Then twelve years old, Glenn lived through these events, taking place in the context of a ‘Troubles’ during which 1000 have already died.
50 years on, he digs into what really happened, because these events cast a long shadow. The Ulster Workers’ Council stoppage culminated in the overthrow of Northern Ireland’s democratically elected devolved government – then just five months old, and the first power-sharing administration ever in the country’s history. Its formation, which involved controversial formal links to the Irish government, sparks the stoppage.
Decades pass before the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brings another such attempt at power sharing. Now, exploring the legacy of the strike, he tries to uncover what it might mean for us today.CREDITS
Access to material relating to the Don Anderson interviews was kindly provided by Don Anderson and the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. Series contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Photo: Belfast Telegraph.
Writer/ Presenter: Glenn Patterson.
Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineers: Gary Bawden, Michael Davidson, Bill Maul.
Series Actors: Ian Beattie, Richard Clements, Jo Dow, Patrick FitzSymons, Jonathan Harden, Paddy Jenkins, Rhodri Lewis, Patrick McBrearty, Aoibhéann McCann, Charlotte McCurry, Marty Maguire, Seamus O’Hara.
Executive Editor: Andy Martin

May 11, 2024 • 17min
Episode 2: Through Glasses Darkly
Writer Glenn Patterson finds out how, in May 1974, a tiny band of loyalists and unionists over fourteen days stages a strike that paralyses Northern Ireland, and slides it into anarchy.
Then twelve years old, Glenn lived through these events, taking place in the context of a 'Troubles' during which 1000 have already died.
50 years on, he digs into what really happened, because these events cast a long shadow. The Ulster Workers' Council stoppage culminated in the overthrow of Northern Ireland's democratically elected devolved government - then just five months old, and the first power-sharing administration ever in the country's history. Its formation, which involved controversial formal links to the Irish government, sparks the stoppage.
Decades pass before the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brings another such attempt at power sharing. Now, exploring the legacy of the strike, he tries to uncover what it might mean for us today.
CREDITS
Access to material relating to the Don Anderson interviews was kindly provided by Don Anderson and the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. Series contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Photo: Belfast Telegraph.
Writer/ Presenter: Glenn Patterson.
Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineers: Gary Bawden, Michael Davidson, Bill Maul.
Series Actors: Ian Beattie, Richard Clements, Jo Dow, Patrick FitzSymons, Jonathan Harden, Paddy Jenkins, Rhodri Lewis, Patrick McBrearty, Aoibhéann McCann, Charlotte McCurry, Marty Maguire, Seamus O'Hara.
Executive Editor: Andy Martin

May 11, 2024 • 18min
Episode 3: Of Lunchboxes and Giros
Writer Glenn Patterson finds out how, in May 1974, a tiny band of loyalists and unionists over fourteen days stages a strike that paralyses Northern Ireland, and slides it into anarchy.
Then twelve years old, Glenn lived through these events, taking place in the context of a 'Troubles' during which 1000 have already died.
50 years on, he digs into what really happened, because these events cast a long shadow. The Ulster Workers' Council stoppage culminated in the overthrow of Northern Ireland's democratically elected devolved government - then just five months old, and the first power-sharing administration ever in the country's history. Its formation, which involved controversial formal links to the Irish government, sparks the stoppage.
Decades pass before the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brings another such attempt at power sharing. Now, exploring the legacy of the strike, he tries to uncover what it might mean for us today.
CREDITS
Access to material relating to the Don Anderson interviews was kindly provided by Don Anderson and the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. Series contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Photo: Belfast Telegraph.
Writer/ Presenter: Glenn Patterson.
Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineers: Gary Bawden, Michael Davidson, Bill Maul.
Series Actors: Ian Beattie, Richard Clements, Jo Dow, Patrick FitzSymons, Jonathan Harden, Paddy Jenkins, Rhodri Lewis, Patrick McBrearty, Aoibhéann McCann, Charlotte McCurry, Marty Maguire, Seamus O'Hara.
Executive Editor: Andy Martin

May 11, 2024 • 16min
Episode 4: Carnage
At a press briefing, phones suddenly start ringing. Utterly shocking news is breaking.

May 11, 2024 • 16min
Episode 5: Power Games
Writer Glenn Patterson finds out how, in May 1974, a tiny band of loyalists and unionists over fourteen days stages a strike that paralyses Northern Ireland, and slides it into anarchy.
Then twelve years old, Glenn lived through these events, taking place in the context of a 'Troubles' during which 1000 have already died.
50 years on, he digs into what really happened, because these events cast a long shadow. The Ulster Workers' Council stoppage culminated in the overthrow of Northern Ireland's democratically elected devolved government - then just five months old, and the first power-sharing administration ever in the country's history. Its formation, which involved controversial formal links to the Irish government, sparks the stoppage.
Decades pass before the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brings another such attempt at power sharing. Now, exploring the legacy of the strike, he tries to uncover what it might mean for us today.
CREDITS
Access to material relating to the Don Anderson interviews was kindly provided by Don Anderson and the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. Series contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Photo: Belfast Telegraph.
Writer/ Presenter: Glenn Patterson.
Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineers: Gary Bawden, Michael Davidson, Bill Maul.
Series Actors: Ian Beattie, Richard Clements, Jo Dow, Patrick FitzSymons, Jonathan Harden, Paddy Jenkins, Rhodri Lewis, Patrick McBrearty, Aoibhéann McCann, Charlotte McCurry, Marty Maguire, Seamus O'Hara.
Executive Editor: Andy Martin

May 11, 2024 • 18min
Episode 6: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Writer Glenn Patterson finds out how, in May 1974, a tiny band of loyalists and unionists over fourteen days stages a strike that paralyses Northern Ireland, and slides it into anarchy.
Then twelve years old, Glenn lived through these events, taking place in the context of a 'Troubles' during which 1000 have already died.
50 years on, he digs into what really happened, because these events cast a long shadow. The Ulster Workers' Council stoppage culminated in the overthrow of Northern Ireland's democratically elected devolved government - then just five months old, and the first power-sharing administration ever in the country's history. Its formation, which involved controversial formal links to the Irish government, sparks the stoppage.
Decades pass before the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brings another such attempt at power sharing. Now, exploring the legacy of the strike, he tries to uncover what it might mean for us today.
CREDITS
Access to material relating to the Don Anderson interviews was kindly provided by Don Anderson and the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. Series contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Photo: Belfast Telegraph.
Writer/ Presenter: Glenn Patterson.
Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineers: Gary Bawden, Michael Davidson, Bill Maul.
Series Actors: Ian Beattie, Richard Clements, Jo Dow, Patrick FitzSymons, Jonathan Harden, Paddy Jenkins, Rhodri Lewis, Patrick McBrearty, Aoibhéann McCann, Charlotte McCurry, Marty Maguire, Seamus O'Hara.
Executive Editor: Andy Martin