Pirate Predator

After decades of abusing children with apparent impunity, the law was finally catching up with Eamon Cooke. Determined to stop him, Siobháin took her case to Gardaí—sparking what would become the case of Detective Inspector Gerry Kelly’s career. What followed was a grueling eight-year battle that pushed everyone involved to their absolute limits in the fight to finally put Cooke behind bars.

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines and if you’ve any information on Eamon Cooke, please email documentaries@rte.ie or drop an anonymous tip via rte.ie/piratepredator

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Legal advice from Trish Whelan and Deirdre Kelly. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1980s was the decade in Ireland in which Pirate Radio hit both its peak, and also its lowest point when legislation enforced blanket closures. Except of course for Radio Dublin – under Eamon Cooke - who kept on broadcasting. He behaved like there was one rule for him, and one rule for everyone else. And his abuse of children continued, even as he began to make plans to start his own family…

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines and if you’ve any information on Eamon Cooke, please email documentaries@rte.ie or drop an anonymous tip via rte.ie/piratepredator

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Legal advice from Trish Whelan and Deirdre Kelly. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 1980s dawn, a new breed of super pirate radio stations arrive to rewrite the Irish rulebook, leaving authorities scrambling to respond. But as the decade progresses, Eamon Cooke’s dark, hidden double life continues in the shadows. The only question is how far will he go to maintain control?

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Legal advice from Trish Whelan and Deirdre Kelly. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Eamon Cooke at the helm of Radio Dublin, his true image begins to emerge. When child abuse allegations are brought to light, it's hoped that will put a stop to his behaviour. But Captain Cooke grows even bolder and sets out to bury the truth. This is also at a time when he begins to befriend Jimmy Saville...

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Legal advice from Trish Whelan and Deirdre Kelly. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1978, Radio Dublin made history as Ireland's first 24-hour station. But behind the scenes, a darker story was unfolding. Eamon Cooke, already a convicted criminal, was now in control of the pirate station Radio Dublin and began using his newfound influence to try to insulate himself from suspicion.

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Legal advice from Trish Whelan and Deirdre Kelly. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having spent much of his youth and early adult life in some serious tangles with the law, all of a sudden, Eamon Cooke turns the other cheek. It’s as if he was trying to build a shield of protection around himself while at the same time committing the most serious crimes against children. And then he sets his eyes on an even better cover - taking over the pirate station, Radio Dublin.

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before he ruled the airwaves of Dublin’s pirate radio scene, Eamon Cooke was a man defined by a different kind of interference. His youth wasn't just rebellious; it was at times violent, volatile and unpredictable. These were the first glimpses into someone who was fast growing up into becoming a very dangerous man.

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Publishing weekly from May 11th 2026, Pirate Predator is a new series from RTÉ telling the definitive story of Eamon Cooke, a man of many faces who, on one hand, became a cult like figure - filling a void for disillusioned youth through Radio Dublin in the 1970s and 1980s - while on the other became one of Ireland's most prolific child sexual abusers.

If you have any information about Eamon Cooke please contact us, in confidence, at documentaries@rte.ie.

Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Previous RTÉ Documentary On One series include First Conviction, Stolen Sister, Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a combined project of a podcast series and TV documentary, First Conviction was over 15 months in production. In this bonus episode - and in a first for RTÉ - we give an insight into how the entire production was made through all of those involved.

Hosted by Aoife Hegarty (Deputy Editor, RTÉ Investigates), we hear from Tim Desmond (Producer, RTÉ Documentary On One), Philip Gallagher (Director, RTÉ Investigates), Pamela Fraher (Reporter, RTÉ Investigates), David Doran (Editor, RTÉ Investigates) and Liam O’Brien (Series Producer, RTÉ Documentary On One). We also hear from our host Ruth Negga and composer Mel Mercier.

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Having spent two years in jail, Sayeed and Halawa are relieved when the Court of Appeal make a ruling on their case. As they return home to their children, they hope life might begin to return to normal - but nothing about their lives is now normal. The DPP continues to pursue this case. A second trial takes place, before a third is scheduled - until the moment they’ve waited so long for, arrives - and everyone finally starts to believe them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction

Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a quick message to say we’re pausing the release of the concluding episode of this series until this day next week - Wednesday November 12th, the same day on which our TV documentary from RTÉ Investigates airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.

If you do have any knowledge or information on this story please contact us immediately and in confidence by emailing documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can leave an anonymous tip on our website www.rte.ie/firstconviction

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having been found guilty and sentenced to 5 years in prison, Sayeed and Halawa are taken to separate jails in Ireland to serve out their sentences. Deprived of their freedom, and with their children now placed in the care of relatives, life in prison is hard beyond belief. But they cannot give up hope - and from inside their prison cells, they begin to fight back to get justice… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction

Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sayeed and Halawa are facing two charges in court - an act of FGM against their daughter, and child cruelty. If found guilty, they face up to 14 years in prison. Despite all medical witnesses agreeing FGM did happen, as Sayeed takes the stand to give evidence, he is confident the truth will come out… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction

Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having had their children under supervision and monitored by authorities for three years, and having had to sign on bail twice weekly during that time, Sayeed and Halawa finally face trial, the first of its kind in Ireland. They continue to say the crime never happened and hope that finally, someone will listen… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction

Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s only after four days in hospital that Sayeed and Halawa begin to understand they’re in real difficulty. No one appears to believe them. Within a week of arriving to hospital with their injured daughter, they’re sitting in a police station, answering questions about what happened. It’s beginning to feel like the entire system is closing in around them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction

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Credits:First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 2016 is where this story begins. A young married couple are at home in Dublin on a Friday morning with their two young children. Having changed her nappy, their 21 month old daughter turns, runs and falls. Her cries startle her parents who go to comfort her. As they pick her up, they notice she’s bleeding. Panicked, they take her to hospital - where everything begins to spiral out of control… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction 

Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An investigation into the case of a couple imprisoned for a crime against their child - that never happened… 

Publishing weekly from October 8th 2025 - a new 6-part podcast series & TV doc (Nov 12th) from RTÉ Documentary On One and RTÉ Investigates.

Previous series include Stolen Sister, Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last seven weeks we have heard from many people who have had interactions with John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Up to twenty people have provided us with accounts of attempted abductions, sightings and various interactions with Shaw and Evans. In this episode, we bring you these accounts in full. An Garda Síochána have now appealed to anybody with information to report it to any station in the Wexford/Wicklow Garda divisions. And the Plunkett family start a petition with an appeal for people to sign to keep the pressure on for a cold case review into the case of Elizabeth Plunkett.

change.org/justiceforelizabethplunkett

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As this series has been publishing, we’ve been contacted by many listeners, including about a dozen contacts from people who are new witnesses to events around Ireland in September 1976 - and who it appears could have been potential victims of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Even after all these years, new information is still out there on Elizabeth’s story - and with new witnesses stepping forward, the pressure now increases on the authorities to hold a cold case review, maybe even finally put John Shaw on trial for Elizabeth’s murder…

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having lived over 40 years with the loss of Elizabeth, the Plunkett family are taken aback when in 2023, they’re approached by the Parole Board. John Shaw is looking to get out of prison. Elizabeth’s family are invited to submit their views on his potential release. Can they stop him from getting freedom? This process unlocks a series of events where Elizabeth's siblings begin to realise that nothing is as it seems - and that their sister is still awaiting dignity and justice…

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the heartbreaking recovery of both Elizabeth and Mary’s remains, the investigation’s focus sharpens. The men, isolated in solitary confinement for months, are finally brought before the courts. But things take a strange twist when Shaw and Evans, once united in their actions, now turn on each other—each blaming the other for the murders. This results in a judge deciding there’ll be four separate trials, ensuring each man faces justice for his actions individually. Shaw is the first to stand trial, accused of the murder of Mary Duffy. As the courtroom waits with bated breath, one question hangs in the air: will justice begin to be served?

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the nation on high alert, two Gardaí in Galway spot and arrest Ireland’s two most wanted men. Quickly brought in for questioning, Shaw and Evans find themselves at the center of a desperate investigation. Gardaí believe Mary Duffy could still be alive, and now they need the suspects to tell them where Mary and Elizabeth are. As the interrogation unfolds, the entire country waits for news, none more so than the Plunkett and Duffy families, as they cling to hope...

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As suspicions grow around two Englishmen roaming freely around Ireland, Gardaí issue a nationwide alert for their capture. But no one knows these men have already hatched a chilling plan: to abduct, rape, and murder one woman every week. The only question now is can they be stopped before they kill again?

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday, August 28th, 1976, Elizabeth Plunkett walked out of a pub in Brittas Bay - and vanished without a trace. Over the following week, her distraught family and friends launched a frantic search, desperate for any sign of her. Though they didn’t find Elizabeth, a series of puzzling clues began to emerge. And at the same time, two suspicious men were seen lurking in the area, but within days, they too had disappeared.

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The summer of 1976 brought an extraordinary three-month heatwave to Ireland. 23yr old Elizabeth Plunkett had just fallen in love and been on holiday to France. On the last weekend in August, Elizabeth headed for an overnight getaway with friends to the beach resort of Brittas Bay to mark the end of that summer. No one could have imagined what happened next…

New episodes every Friday.

If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us documentaries@rte.ie

Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the last weekend of the summer of 1976, a young woman named Elizabeth Plunkett went away for a night with friends to Brittas Bay in county Wicklow. Nobody knew it then, but that was the last time she would leave home. Elizabeth was brutally murdered by two men who would go on to continue to rape and kill until they were stopped.

Episode 1 available Friday 30th May 2025.

Credits: Stolen Sister is hosted by Roz Purcell. It's written and produced by Nicoline Greer. Production assistance is by Shauna McGreevy. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording is by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UPDATE (April 2025): Samantha Cookes pleads guilty to fraud. She appears in court for her sentencing but all does not go smoothly. There's an outcry. A shout from the public gallery halts proceedings and Samantha is taken from the dock while the Judge takes stock...

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As the search site turns into a dig site, Jón’s family await news of the search. If Jón is found, it will end all hope and a new chapter of grief begins. And as we near the end of this series, new tips continue to emerge. With everything that has been uncovered, Jón’s family ask that his case is now upgraded to a murder inquiry in the hope that they finally get some answers. 

Credits: Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Sales by Graeme Bailey and Einar Logi Vignisson. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

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During the first five years of Jón’s disappearance, through to February 2024, there was no indication of where Jón’s remains might lie. But behind the scenes, two anonymous notes had been handed into the authorities. The first was handed into a Garda station in 2022 - and the second to a priests house in 2023. Both indicated Jón was buried in a specific location. Could this be the first real breakthrough in the search for Jón? 

Credits: Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Sales by Graeme Bailey and Einar Logi Vignisson. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As all the first firsts begin to pass by, Jón’s birthday, Christmas, family events - everyone in Jón’s circle struggles with his loss. With no concrete information emerging to explain his disappearance, some sinister rumours begin to emerge. And then, more than a year later, some of Jón’s family members are told he was killed in Dublin… 

Credits: Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Sales by Graeme Bailey and Einar Logi Vignisson. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the first weeks turned into the first months since Jón’s disappearance, his family struggle to come to terms with what’s going on. There were only four possibilities to explain Jón’s disappearance - he took his own life, he was involved in an accident, someone killed him or he intentionally vanished. As we begin to examine each possibility, things start to become a little clearer… 

Credits: Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Sales by Graeme Bailey and Einar Logi Vignisson. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The vast majority of missing persons are found within 72 hours of being last seen. But if someone is not found within that timeframe, the chances of discovering what happened to them become less and less as time slips by. When Jón’s family arrived to Ireland in the days after he disappeared, they all felt something had gone very wrong for Jón. They just needed everyone else to believe them…

Credits: Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Sales by Graeme Bailey and Einar Logi Vignisson. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jón left the Bonnington hotel, his partner Jana didn’t initially think too much about him walking away. But, as that day moved on, she began to get worried. And by the morning after, she knew something had gone really wrong for Jón. As Jana begins to raise the alarm, we start searching for clues in Jón’s past, in Iceland, to find out who he was - before he disappeared…

Credits:Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Sales by Graeme Bailey and Einar Logi. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Icelander Jón Jónsson arrived to Dublin in February 2019, he came for 10 days of fun - to play at the Dublin Poker Festival and to do some sightseeing with his partner, Jana. But within a day of landing in Ireland, Jón disappeared. With unique access into this story, we begin investigating Jón’s disappearance by examining the 48 hours before he was last seen alive. Will we find any clues to indicate what might have happened to him?

Credits: Where is Jón? / Hvar er Jón? is written, reported and produced by Liam O’Brien and Anna Marsibil Clausen. Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Úlfur Eldjárn, with special guest Unnur Jónsdóttir on cello. Sound design is by Peadar Carney. Production assistance from Johannes Olafsson, Þorgerður E. Sigurðardóttir and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Amy O’Driscoll, Maria Buckley and Kolbrún Vaka Helgadóttir. Design and creatives by John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Jilly McDonough. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Episodes released weekly, each Monday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.