Cover is an award-winning series investigating true stories of people living secret double lives, presented and produced by Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy.
Series 1: Where Is George Gibney? An Olympic coach charged with child sexual abuse who never stood trial. Instead, he vanished. Series 2: Stakeknife. A man tasked with finding and killing alleged IRA informers who was, in fact, a British agent all along.
You can contact our production team about either series at cover@bbc.co.uk.
Credits for series 2: Stakeknife -
Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins
Cover is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.
In a hugely significant development, the former Irish Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in Florida. Mark brings us the very latest. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune: Aaron Dessner Commissioning Editor: Dylan Haskins Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds.
Angela Donnelly was one of the voices you heard at the end of episode 9 coming forward publicly for the first time. Angela is the sister of Eugene Simons who was murdered and disappeared by the IRA in 1981. She speaks to Mark at her home in County Down about her complicated relationship with her brother and how Stakeknife was involved in his murder. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Editing and Sound Design: Mark Horgan Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune by Lan...
Mark is joined by the author of 'Say Nothing' Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss the making of 'Stakeknife' and also the television adaptation of 'Say Nothing'. They'll take your questions on both series and discuss the crossover elements between the two. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Co-Producer: Killian Down Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioner for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioner for BBC: Dylan Has...
Two bonus episodes coming soon including a Q&A with Patrick Radden Keefe, the author of the international bestseller Say Nothing. The second episode is an exclusive interview with Angela Donnelly, a woman whose brother Eugene Simons was murdered and disappeared by the IRA in 1981, a killing connected to Stakeknife. Send your questions for Mark and Patrick to cover@bbc.co.uk.
Mark travels to where Freddie Scappaticci lived after he disappeared from Belfast. A news report we featured from 1987 inspires a man to get in touch with the podcast. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning...
This episode follows Shauna Moreland's journey to uncover the truth about her mother, Caroline, who was murdered during the Troubles and accused of being an informer. Shauna shares her initial grief and later discovery of the full, harrowing details through newspaper archives and a chilling confession tape. Her relentless campaign for justice eventually led to the Canova Inquiry, revealing the complex circumstances of Caroline's death and a surprising truth about the notorious agent Stakeknife.
We return to the solicitor’s office in West Belfast as Mark meets three crucial people to discuss the end of Scappaticci’s time in the IRA and his eventual uncovering as the agent Stakeknife. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sa...
In 1990, a man called Sandy Lynch was tied up, blindfolded and interrogated by Scappaticci. He survived to document his experience. Marks speaks to an IRA man who “guarded” Lynch. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. C...
Episode 7 is available on Friday, January 3rd on BBC Sounds.
Orla and Kevin Coyle tell the story of their father who was killed as an alleged informer by the IRA. The profound shadow cast by their father’s death has lasted almost 30 years. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Co...
Brendan Hughes wants to question Joe Fenton and find the “main mover.” Is Stakeknife suspected? We meet the former IRA man who interviewed Hughes and whose hero was Scappaticci. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Com...
Mark tells the story of a man called Joe Fenton and how he was connected to Stakeknife. We learn there was a hierarchy of agents, where some were saved and some were not. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commission...
Mark meets two former members of the FRU, the secret army intelligence unit that ran the agent Stakeknife. How did they recruit people? How was Scappaticci recruited? Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning ...
Mark speaks to the brother of one of the first people interrogated by Stakeknife. We follow Seamus’ journey as he retraces his brothers steps in the days before he was murdered. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Com...
This episode unravels the complex story of Freddy Scappaticci, who publicly denied being "Steakknife," a notorious British agent embedded within the IRA. It delves into a past investigation by journalist Sylvia Jones, revealing a clandestine meeting with a mysterious source "Jack," later confirmed to be Scappaticci himself. The episode highlights the deep web of lies and conflicting narratives surrounding Northern Ireland's Troubles, and the eventual disappearance of Scappaticci under state protection.
In Northern Ireland from 1978 to 1994, the IRA killed over 40 alleged informers; people accused of passing information to the police and the British Army. But the man who often found, tortured, and sometimes killed these men and women was himself an informer, a secret British Army Agent with the codename Stakeknife. Using secret recordings, reporter Mark Horgan traces the astonishing double life of Freddie Scappaticci. Why was he protected? How did he walk the tightrope between the IRA and Briti...
A message from Mark Horgan on a new investigative series launching next week from the production team behind ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ This new series will focus on another figure who lived a double life and was eventually forced to live under cover. And it’s a story, like the George Gibney one, that many would prefer was never told. So from this point on, this feed will be renamed ‘Cover.’ Series 1 one of which was ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and series 2 is coming next week, first thing on Tuesd...
This special episode offers a crucial update on the George Gibney case, including the Gardaí's ongoing investigation and the recent file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding over 50 new abuse charges. It also features an emotional live Q&A event where podcast contributors and survivors, including Trish Kearney and Burr Carley, share their experiences of finding hope, community, and the transformative power of finally being heard. They discuss the challenges and importance of speaking out after years of silence, reflecting on their journeys and the podcast's global impact.
The episode begins with the confirmation of a new police investigation into George Gibney, following victim testimonies prompted by the "Where Is George Gibney" podcast series. It then delves into the profound impact of the podcast on survivors, notably featuring Judy's public account of her abuse and her disillusionment with the justice system. A powerful letter from "Caroline," the "other girl" present during Susan's Florida assault, details Gibney's grooming, her fragmented memories of the incident, and her lifelong struggles with trauma, eating disorders, and substance abuse, culminating in her journey towards healing and finding support. The episode concludes with the inspiring connection between survivors, forming an unofficial support group, and their collective hope for justice.
This powerful episode centers on the tragic story of Lorraine Kennedy, a survivor of George Gibney's abuse who passed away before seeing justice, and her daughter Louise's fight to keep her voice alive. It also introduces Fiona Bennett, the first survivor from Gibney's time in Waterford, who recounts her deeply personal experiences. The podcast reveals the pervasive disbelief survivors faced, the legal hurdles preventing justice, and the cathartic power of an increasing number of victims finding connection and sharing their stories, ultimately leading to a Garda investigation.
Download the free BBC Sounds app to hear a new bonus Q&A episode with Mark and Cass.
As their time in the US runs out, journalists finally confront George Gibney to offer him a right of reply regarding serious allegations. Despite their direct approach, Gibney panics and refuses to speak, maintaining a striking silence. In stark contrast, a multitude of survivors, who were coached by Gibney, begin contacting the podcast to bravely share their long-suppressed and deeply disturbing experiences of sexual abuse. The episode highlights the profound impact of Gibney's silence against the powerful testimonies of those he allegedly harmed.
This episode delves into George Gibney's life in Florida, tracing his daily routines, church attendance, and a surprising volunteering role at a hospice, alongside his involvement with the Knights of Columbus years after allegations emerged. Former assistant coach Peter Banks breaks his silence, discussing his final encounter with Gibney, the mystery surrounding Gibney's US visa application, and reflecting on his own silence regarding the past abuses. The investigation reveals continued support for Gibney despite his history, leading to a decision to confront him.
This episode tracks George Gibney in Florida, exploring the state as a refuge. Chalky, a former swimmer, recounts his ongoing battle with past trauma while living nearby, reflecting on Gibney's apparent lack of remorse. The narrative also delves into the devastating story of Susan, a promising Olympic swimmer whose life and mental health were shattered by Gibney's abuse during a Florida training trip. Her sister Laura details Susan's subsequent decline, suicide attempts, and the family's profound grief, confronting justice denied.
Following George Gibney's path across the US, this episode uncovers his new life after fleeing Ireland, working in various states under a different name. It details the challenges of tracking him and how former employers and neighbors eventually exposed his past, despite his careful attempts at anonymity and denials. The narrative is punctuated by parallel child abuse scandals in Irish swimming, emphasizing the systemic failures and the profound impact on victims, including a former colleague who shares her own experience as a survivor.
Following George Gibney's initial disappearance and a shocking discovery of his past, this episode chronicles the investigative journalism of Johnny Watterson to bring his abuse to light. It details Gibney's unhindered return to coaching in the UK despite serious allegations, the immense legal hurdles faced by the Sunday Tribune due to strict defamation laws, and the extraordinary bravery of survivors who came forward. The episode also explores the institutional failures and elite support that enabled Gibney, ultimately leading to his second disappearance and new identity.
This episode chronicles reporters' surveillance of George Gibney, which unexpectedly leads to a tense encounter with a neighbor. It then revisits Gibney's 1993 court appearance for multiple sexual assault charges, highlighting the split opinions among his assistant coaches and the public anonymity around the case. The narrative details the subsequent intimidation faced by those questioning Gibney and examines the inexplicable collapse of his high-profile trial on a legal technicality in 1994, leaving survivors and journalists astounded and convinced of his guilt.
Following an initial stakeout of George Gibney's current residence, the episode delves into Gary O'Toole's determined quest to find more of Gibney's victims, starting with his own confrontation decades prior. Survivors like Burr Carly and Trish Kearney bravely recount their daily abuse and the profound impact on their lives. The podcast details Gary's sensitive outreach, the emotional reunion with Trish, and the eventual filing of 27 child sexual abuse charges against Gibney, who then began planning his escape.
Reporter Mark Horgan embarks on a clandestine mission to locate George Gibney, a celebrity swimming coach from the 80s and 90s, who disappeared amidst abuse allegations. The episode traces Gibney's public image, his influence on young swimmers like Gary O'Toole, and then reveals the horrifying truth through Chalky White, another former child prodigy, who provides a detailed account of the systematic sexual abuse he endured from Gibney, leading to O'Toole's profound realization and vow for justice.
A famous Olympic coach charged with child sexual abuse never stood trial. Instead, he vanished. Reporter Mark Horgan travels across Ireland, the UK and the US on his trail. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jaso...
