Documentary On One - Rté Documentaries

In September 1985, a riot erupted on Spike Island Prison in Cork Harbour. The island fort had been turned into a prison for 'joyriders', but within months, they rebelled against the regime and set the prison on fire. During that chaotic night there were reports that prisoners who had escaped found they couldn’t get off the island and had to break back into the prison they had just escaped from. The Army was sent for and then sent away again. Civilian islanders were taken hostage by prisoners but then protected by them. So what really went on - and why? (2022) Narrated by Peter Mulryan. Produced by Peter Mulryan and Ronan Kelly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reg Byrne grew up in Monkstown Farm, Dublin in the 1970s and was born with spina bifida, affecting his legs. Which makes what Reg Byrne is doing now all the more remarkable. His early family life was difficult. By the age of 8, he was sniffing glue and by 9, he was in a drug rehabilitation programme. He left school early – but then encountered a local man who changed his path in life. Today, Reg is a first class boxing coach in demand. He travels the world, but never forgets his roots. Reg runs a boxing club including a class which specialises for children with autism and disability - a place where Reg aims to give back some of what he has learned in life. (2022) Narrator: Megan Byrne. Producer: Donal O’Herlihy. Mix engineer: Peadar Kearney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 11th of January 2021 the body of a homeless man was found on the grounds of University College Dublin’s Belfield campus. His passing was widely mourned because Michael Byrne, or ‘Old Man Belfield’ as he was known, had a huge impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people. He left behind him some abiding questions like, who was he? And where did he come from? Intriguingly, nobody seems to know… (2022) Narrated and produced by Donal O’Herlihy with sound supervision by Peadar Kearney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In July 2021, a 27-year old woman, Noor Mukadam, was violently murdered. Noor grew up in South County Dublin as her father established the Pakistani Embassy in Ireland. Noor loved Ireland and could never have imagined that her murder would make global headlines, not only in Ireland but also in her native Pakistan where it became a huge news story. And the reason it became a huge news story is because those who loved Noor began a fight for justice. Noor was part of elite Pakistani society. And she was killed because she turned down a marriage proposal from a son of one of the wealthiest families in Pakistan. (2022) Narrated and Produced by Nicoleen Greer. Reporting by Hannah McCarthy and Hamza Azhar Salam. Additional recordings by Tim Desmond and Saxon Baird. Sound by Peadar Carney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan and Ray were sweethearts in the early 1950’s. They broke up and Susan made a life for herself in Dublin; having five children, a divorce in 1960’s Ireland and a career as a tour guide. Ray meanwhile married and had a family in the US. Then, almost 40 years later, a bequest from Ray’s brother brought Susan and Ray back together. Falling in love again, they married and are now determined to live out their lives at home in Dublin. (2022) Produced by Mary Elaine Tynan and Tim Desmond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The discovery of six bodies in a house at Malahide in County Dublin in 1926 led to a sensational trial and the execution of one man for the crime of murder. It remains the largest mass murder in the Irish state outside of political violence. In this true crime story the question remains; why did Henry McCabe commit Murder At La Mancha? (2022) Readings by Patrick Dunne. Narrated and produced by Tim Desmond. Contributors include Mary Francis (Grandchild of Henry McCabe), Jaqueline Gates-Baston (Forensic psychologist), Tom Hannigan (Forensic Science Ireland), Patrick Gageby (Barrister), Paul Connolly (Historian), Tim Carey (Historian) and Brian Scanlon (Ballygar).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three women describe the effects of the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on their work, and on their lives. An Afghan judge who fled to Ireland, an Irish aid worker who stayed in Afghanistan, and another who returned home to Ireland. Featuring on-the-ground reporting and interviews from Kabul by journalist Hannah McCarthy who travelled to Afghanistan during the making of this documentary/podcast. (2022) Narrated by Hannah McCarthy. Produced by Hannah McCarthy and the RTÉ Documentary On One team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Murphy owned a dancehall in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. But its business started to fail, so Nancy pursued a “unique marketing strategy”.  “Dancing Nancy” – the woman who bombed a ballroom. NB: Since this documentary was first broadcast in August 2022, some new information on Nancy has come to light, which is now included at the end of this documentary. Narrated by Sean O'Rourke. Produced by John Corless and Ronan Kelly. (2022)   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of a shocking and harrowing incident of cannibalism in 1835 aboard Limerick ship, the Francis Spaight, which floundered in the freezing North Atlantic on a return journey to Ireland from Canada. After a number of weeks at sea, starving and without food or water, the captain had a decision to make - whether one or all of the crew would die. He made his choice and lots were drawn as to who would be sacrificed to save their own crewmates. Contains details listeners may find distressing. (2022) Narrated by Andrew Bennett. Produced by Marc McMenamin and Sarah Blake with sound supervision by Peadar Carney. Re-enactments by Diarmuid de Faoite (Captain Gorman), Ian McGlynn (Newspaper Reporter), Wally MacKinnon (John Palmer) and Tim Desmond (Crewman). Contributors include Dr. Matthew Potter (Limerick Museum), Arlene White (Killaloe Ballina Local History Society), Dr Richard Mc Mahon (Mary Immaculate College, Limerick), Prof Rainer Baehre (Cornerbrook University, Newfoundland) and Sharon Slater (Historia

The so-called Zodiac Killer terrorised the San Francisco community in the 1960s. Fifty years later, a man from county Louth is joining hundreds of online sleuths to try to crack the notorious unsolved case. Can he crack the alibi of one of the main suspects? When his alibi is hanging out with anarchists in Derry, maybe he can. (2022). Narrated and produced by Nicoline Greer with sound supervision by Ciarán CullenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Michael O'Leary officially announced on February 27th 2022 that Tiger Roll will be retired after his final race at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16th, 2022. Michael Lawless caught up with Michael shortly after this announcement to see what lies ahead for Tiger Roll after racing.Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After his first Grand National win, Tiger attempts a feat not achieved in over 40 years - to win a second Grand National in a row. He's getting older and so much is happening around him. What will it all mean for Tiger? (Ep 7/7).Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Tiger Roll matures, he’s ready for the next step up in jumps racing. But will patience and persistence from his owners and trainer give Tiger Roll a chance to fulfill his destiny as a champion racehorse ? (Ep 5/7)Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Tiger Roll matures, he’s ready for the next step up in jumps racing. But will patience and persistence from his owners and trainer give Tiger Roll a chance to fulfill his destiny as a champion racehorse ? (Ep 5/7)Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiger Roll gets another new owner, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, a new training yard and a whole new set of challenges. He begins to make new friends for life as he enters his first Cheltenham festival. (Ep4/7)Released daily on weekdays from Feb 22nd-Mar 2nd, 2022.Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sold on by Godolphin Racing, Tiger Roll is bought by Nigel and Catherine Hawke. With the help of jockey Mark Quinlan, they discover Tiger’s previously unknown ability and love of jumping and enter him into his first ever race. (Ep3/7)Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bought by one of the richest men in horseracing, the young Tiger Roll becomes part of a global operation. But as he begins to grow up, and enters training, things don’t go according to plan. (Ep2/7).Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and Creative Audio departments. For further information, visit www.rte.ie/tigerrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new 7-part series from RTÉ Documentary On One. To listen to all episodes, please subscribe to Tiger Roll, The People's Horse from wherever you get your podcasts. This series tells the remarkable story of Tiger Roll, a racehorse who has won two Aintree Grand Nationals (back-to-back) and five times at the Cheltenham Festival. We follow Tiger's unlikely path to glory, from the very beginning to today, through the people and places that have made him the horse of a lifetime.Episode 1: In March 2010, a foal is born. Growing up on a lake shore farm in Ireland, with his mother and the man who bred him, his whole world changed when he was sold at 8 months old - to begin his journey into the world of horse racing. (Ep1/7). Credits: Tiger Roll The People's Horse was written, recorded and produced by Michael Lawless, Tim Desmond and Liam O'Brien. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our contributors, and the RTÉ Design, Marketing, Online and

Maureen Kearney is an Irish woman living in France. Whilst working in the French Nuclear industry, in 2012 Maureen discovered something that seems to set in motion a chain of events that would forever change her life. Brutally attacked in her home outside Paris, Maureen’s story is one of secrets, lies, violence and courage. Above all, it's the story of one woman’s resilience in the face of enormous adversity (2021).Narrated by Róisín O'Dea. Produced by Róisín O'Dea and Nicoline Greer. Sound Supervision by Peadar Carney. Additional recordings by Sharon Gaffney and Anouk Batard. Additional research by Stephen Carroll. Special thanks to Diarmuid Hayes who brought Maureen's story to our attention. The book "La Syndicaliste" is by Caroline Michel Aguirre. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this documentary, please see the RTÉ helplines for further assistance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlotte Devlin and the Documentary On One team return to the remarkable story of Felix Gretarsson, with exclusive access to the Icelander who waited years to receive the world's first full double arm transplant in a groundbreaking operation in France in January of 2021. (2021) Narrated by Charlotte DevlinProduced by Charlotte Devlin & Tim DesmondThe first documentary we made on Felix, broadcast in July 2020, is entitled Documentary On One: Felix - and is available further down in our podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.