A new 9-part true crime series from RTÉ Documentary On One. To get free early access to next episodes (one week in advance of here) please subscribe to 'Runaway Joe' from wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes released each Friday. Ep2: We travel to Rochester, New York, back to the beginning, to find out where this story really starts. What we find is a young girl who grew into a woman, living her dream and looking for true love. And a young boy who liked to talk with an Irish accent who grew ...
Jan 26, 2024•33 min•Ep. 1
A new 9-part true crime series from RTÉ Documentary On One. To get free early access to next episodes (one week in advance of here) please subscribe to 'Runaway Joe' from wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes released each Friday. EP1: It's 1985 and a country estate owner and movie industry worker in Ireland finds himself up before a Dublin court facing an extradition trial. His wife pleads his innocence. He tells the judge - and anyone who'll listen - "you have the wrong man". None of this s...
Jan 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1
On January 8th 1979, 50 people were killed when a massive Oil Tanker the 'Betelgeuse' exploded at Whiddy Island, West Cork. With families of those who lost their lives about to launch High Court proceedings, as they seek a State apology, we go behind the scenes to find out what really happened that night. Meeting with those involved, those who witnessed the event and those who were left behind, we piece together the story of the night of one of Ireland's worst ever disasters. (2021) Narrated by ...
Jan 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 1
NEW SERIES: To get early access, subscribe to 'Runaway Joe' from wherever you get your podcasts. IN 1967, an Irish-American escaped custody on a charge of murdering his wife in upstate New York. Almost 60 years later, Joseph “Joe” Maloney remains one of the oldest unsolved cases in the FBI’s books. Joe lived large in Ireland for 20 years, before escaping again. Can he finally be found? We believe we’ve come closer than anyone – even the FBI – to discovering what happened him… A new multi-episodi...
Dec 31, 2023•3 min•Ep. 1
Gerry Kelly goes on a personal journey to discover the story behind his favourite song. Made famous by the Irish folk group, The Fureys, and recorded by a host of musicians down the years, The Green Fields of France is also known as No Man's Land or Willie McBride. In this documentary first broadcast on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, Gerry travels to France and comes face to face with the scenes that inspired the song's writer, Eric Bogle, in a moving attempt both to understan...
Dec 29, 2023•57 min•Ep. 1
When Frank Stagg died he had three funerals, not only that, he had two graves and three headstones. That's because when Frank Stagg, a Republican hunger striker, died in prison in Britain 1976 there was a sort of tug of war over his body between the Irish Government and supporters of the Provisional IRA. But why? And where was Frank Stagg's final resting place? Produced by Liamy MacNally with Ronan Kelly (First Broadcast 2017) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 1
The Bra turns 100 this year. From the Backless to the Bullet, the Demi-cup to the Push-up, the brassiere has evolved from a simple breast support to a symbol of desire. We unclasp the story of the bra in Ireland, and caress our way through its history. (2018) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 08, 2023•40 min•Ep. 1
Irish man Michael Keogh claims to have saved Hitler's life before he became 'Führer'. Could this be true? Could a Carlow man, who left home at 16 and lived a life of pseudonyms, disguise, conspiracy and war have had such an impact on modern history? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 01, 2023•39 min•Ep. 1
The story of 87-year-old Kathleen Tierney who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but finds her spirit lifted and her health improve when she joins ‘The Forget Me Nots’ - a choir welcoming those affected by dementia and memory loss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 24, 2023•40 min•Ep. 1
A beautiful story of adoption from rural East Cork. Two children from Guatemala, Jacobo aged 4 and Natalie aged 5. Their father, Vittorio, is Italian. Their mother, Jools, is English. A family from three countries - making their home in a fourth, Ireland. Compiled, written and narrated by Jools Gilson. Produced by Liam O'Brien. This documentary was a Gold Medal Winner at the 2011 New York Festival. (2010) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 17, 2023•39 min•Ep. 1
What happens when people stop having trust in the system? Two people who lost faith in the things they previously believed are Phil and Jean. Phil is a former conspiracy theorist. He spent over a year believing things like that 9/11 were a hoax. Jean used to get all her news from traditional sources. During Covid, Jean lost faith in this, and she turned to online alternative sources for information that resonated with her. We track the increase in people losing trust in media and governments fro...
Oct 28, 2023•40 min•Season 2023Ep. 10
In 1977, a giant ship named Skyhope paid a visit to the west Kerry village of Baile na nGall or Ballydavid. The ship was calling into the village on the promise of a few pints having helped out some local fishermen. Their overnight stay turned into a week-long stay which brought great crowds to the village and fantastic exotic fun. But ultimately, the visit took a turn for the worst, resulting in an incident no one could have imagined... Narrated by Sinéad Ní Uallacháin. Produced by Ronan Kelly....
Oct 20, 2023•43 min•Season 2023Ep. 9
Irish man Gerard Mooney vanished near his home in Sydney, Australia in 1996. Despite extensive searches, a major investigation by Police and television appeals, the only trace of him found was his racing bike. 27 years on, Gerard’s sister Rita believes an answer to this mystery can be found. She submits her DNA to be checked against unidentified remains found in Australia but believes the answer to her brother’s disappearance lies with those who lived in the Sydney neighbourhood of Marickville a...
Oct 06, 2023•42 min•Season 2023Ep. 7
Why climb Mount Everest? " Because it's there". The words of explorer George Mallory in New York in 1922. But was he the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, 29 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay? Unique diaries from Mallory’s mission, written by Irishman Richard Hingston, may just shed some new light on this question (2023) Narrated by Marc McMenamin. Produced by Marc McMenamin and Donal O'Herlihy See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Sep 29, 2023•40 min•Season 2023Ep. 6
In 1972, Maura O'Reilly walked up the aisle wearing a wedding-dress her mother had made for her. It was white, lace crochet, with a high neck and bell sleeves. 50 years later, her niece walked up the aisle wearing the same dress – unaltered. In between, 8 other brides of the O’Reilly family have worn the same dress at their weddings in Cavan and Italy. This is the story of an incredible wedding dress and the 10 women who've worn it. (2023) Produced by Ronan Kelly See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
Sep 22, 2023•41 min•Season 2023Ep. 5
Ten years ago, actor Conor Madden was stabbed in the eye, on stage in front of an audience of hundreds. He was playing the part of Hamlet when a fight scene went badly wrong. When he fell to the ground, the audience thought it was part of the show – but the accident changed Conor’s life completely. (2023) Narrated by Michael-David McKernan. Produced by Michael-David McKernan and Nicoline Greer. Photo credit to Anthony Woods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 15, 2023•41 min•Season 2023Ep. 4
The Irish Civil War was shrouded in silence for decades. In one of the last atrocities of the war, we tell the story of Maggie Doherty and through her witness testimony explore the rarely discussed aspect of sexual violence in the Irish Civil War. (2023) Contributors incl Edel Doherty, Professor Linda Connolly, Frank Fagan and Tom Doherty. (2023) Produced by Orla Higgins and Sarah Blake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 01, 2023•46 min•Season 2023Ep. 3
Would you bring a third person into your relationship? Polyamorists do. They say having other romances actually strengthens their main relationship. But there are risks…and jealousies. And, practicalities: How to schedule your dates? Who minds the kids? (2023) Credits: Produced by Mary-Elaine Tynan and Ronan Kelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 25, 2023•44 min•Season 2023Ep. 2
1984 was a defining year in the history of the Irish Troubles. On the 12th October the IRA bombed the Brighton Hotel narrowly missing the British Prime Minister. Meanwhile a Manchester band called The Smiths were stunning the world with a unique sound. They played community centres around Ireland and a music band became part of a political storm. (2023) Credits: Narrated by David Coughlan. Produced by David Coughlan and Donal O'Herlihy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 18, 2023•42 min•Season 2023Ep. 1
The cycle of Samantha offending, being jailed, then released and re-offending seems never ending. So as we reach the conclusion of our series, and in an attempt to understand just what exactly is going on for Samantha and how her behaviour might be understood, and treated, we make an application to the courts in search of answers. (Ep 7/7) Credits: Finding Samantha is written, recorded and produced by Sharon Davis in Australia and Tim Desmond and Nicoline Greer in Ireland. Soundtrack composed by...
Jun 09, 2023•38 min•Ep. 1
With Samantha out of prison in 2018, she was now turning 30 years old. She began working as an au pair again and was about to commit her most serious crimes to date. With access to children, she began manipulating them into presenting themselves as victims before she was eventually charged with child stealing... (Ep 6/7) Credits: Finding Samantha is written, recorded and produced by Sharon Davis in Australia and Tim Desmond and Nicoline Greer in Ireland. Soundtrack composed by Paddy Flynn. Sound...
Jun 02, 2023•35 min•Ep. 1
Sharon receives a strange phone call from a mystery woman with something to give her. Samantha receives her first full jail sentence as we hear from the Appeal Court Judge who decided on her case. And we receive an insight into how Samantha uses other people as she appears tries to play with us. (Ep 5/7) Credits: Finding Samantha is written, recorded and produced by Sharon Davis in Australia and Tim Desmond and Nicoline Greer in Ireland. Soundtrack composed by Paddy Flynn. Sound Engineer is Dami...
May 26, 2023•37 min•Ep. 1
With Samantha Azzopardi continuing to face police and judges, she fails to heed their warnings to change her behaviour. Instead, she continues to target people in Australia, then returns to Ireland before moving to another continent. And all the time, she’s creating new characters, new aliases and leaving new victims in her wake. Where is this all going to end up? (Ep4/7). Credits: Finding Samantha is written, recorded and produced by Sharon Davis in Australia and Tim Desmond and Nicoline Greer ...
May 19, 2023•33 min•Ep. 1
A 15 yr old Russian gymnast turns up hoping to be adopted by a new family. A Police Prosecutor in Perth is not quite sure what kind of an individual he's dealing with. One Samantha Azzopardi actually reaches out to us - and we get to meet another. This journey is getting deeper and wilder than we could have ever imagined... (Ep3/7) Credits: Finding Samantha is written, recorded and produced by Sharon Davis in Australia and Tim Desmond and Nicoline Greer in Ireland. Soundtrack composed by Paddy F...
May 12, 2023•31 min•Ep. 1
As we follow the trail of the Girl at the GPO – who we now know is Australian woman Samantha Azzopardi - we dive into a surreal world where fact and fiction are often blurred. Samantha has connections to Ireland and a seemingly long and troubled back history in Australia. To begin to understand where this all started, we travel to Australia, to the suburbs of Sydney, where journalist Sharon Davis comes on board. Samantha’s trail leads us into the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and to a small ...
May 05, 2023•31 min•Ep. 1
A new 7-part podcast series from RTÉ Documentary On One. To listen to the series in full, subscribe to 'Finding Samantha' from wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes released weekly, on Tuesdays. EP1: 2013 - A distressed teenage girl is found wandering in front of the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin city centre. As suspicions rise that she’s the victim of serious crime, everyone scrambles to help her and to get to the bottom of her story. But a massive month long investigation by the Irish...
Apr 28, 2023•28 min•Ep. 1
A woman who has created more than 100 fake identities. A young girl found wandering the streets of Dublin. A teenager deported from Canada. Stories of sustained sexual abuse at the hands of many. Kidnapping charges, prison time, lies, fraud and deceit. Could all of these stories go back to just one person? A new 7-part podcast series from RTÉ Documentary On One unravelling the wild world of Samantha Azzopardi... Episode 1 available from April 25th 2023 from wherever you get your podcasts (Search...
Apr 22, 2023•30 sec•Ep. 1
From the ages of 12 to 17, two brothers, Mark and David Ryan, were both repeatedly sexually abused in Blackrock College in South County Dublin. Their abusers were from the Spiritan community at the school. Several court cases ensued as David and Mark fought for justice. Now grown men, David and Mark are ready to publicly tell their story for the first time. (2022) If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please visit www.rte.ie/support for helpline contact details. Th...
Nov 07, 2022•56 min•Season 2022Ep. 14
Mary Folan, long emigrated to America, made a dying wish to be buried back home on her native island of Inis Meáin. But after Mary’s death, the unthinkable happened when an attempt was made to transfer her coffin from Shannon airport to the Aran island in a cargo sling attached underneath a helicopter. And that was only the start of things to come… (2022) Narrated and produced by Sarah Blake and Treasa Bhreathnach. Mix engineering by Peadar Carney. Readings by Karl Quinn and Roger Gregg. See omn...
Oct 28, 2022•52 min•Season 2022Ep. 13
A devastating fire at a halting site in South County Dublin on October 10th 2015 led to multiple members of three families losing their lives. We delve into the events of that night and travel to Bray, Co. Wicklow and to Carrickmines where, for the first time, all the families involved and some of those who tried to help speak about what happened. (2022) Narrated by Lisa-Marie Berry. Produced Lisa-Marie and Ronan Kelly. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please ...
Oct 21, 2022•40 min•Season 2022Ep. 12
