Doc on One Series - Pirate Predator

RTÉ Documentary on One

Pirate Predator tells the 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.

Narrated by Peter Mulryan, who encountered Cooke in the 1980s, Pirate Predator uncovers the chilling true story of 'Captain Cooke' and how he used the cover of pirate radio to groom and abuse, hiding a decades-long reign of terror in plain sight.

This series features scenes of child sex abuse. If affected by any issues raised, please visit rte.ie/helplines

If you have any information or knowledge about this story, please email us documentaries@rte.ie.

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

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95 episodes
Updated June 29

Episodes95

Newest first

Jul 4, 2025 · 26 min
Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims
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.
Jun 27, 2025 · 27 min
Stolen Sister: 05 - The Trials
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.
Jun 20, 2025 · 28 min
Stolen Sister: 04 - Confessions
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.
Jun 13, 2025 · 26 min
Stolen Sister: 03 - On the Hunt
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.
Jun 6, 2025 · 26 min
Stolen Sister: 02 - Missing
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.
May 30, 2025 · 27 min
Stolen Sister: 01 - Elizabeth
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.
May 16, 2025 · 3 min
Stolen Sister: Trailer
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.
Mar 3, 2025 · 48 min
Where is Jón? - 07. Bring him home
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 24, 2025 · 35 min
Where is Jón? - 06. The Notes
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.
Feb 17, 2025 · 38 min
Where is Jón? - 05. Rumours and Secrets
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.
Feb 10, 2025 · 39 min
Where is Jón? - 04. Narrowing the Focus
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.
Feb 3, 2025 · 42 min
Where is Jón? - 03. The Search
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.
Jan 27, 2025 · 37 min
Where is Jón? - 02. Jón Bóndi
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.
Jan 27, 2025 · 44 min
Where is Jón? - 01. Without a Trace
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.
Jan 7, 2025 · 2 min
Where is Jón? - Trailer
When Jón Jónsson flew into Dublin in February 2019, he was in good spirits and looking forward to playing at the Dublin Poker Festival. However, within just 24 hours, Jón walked out of his hotel and disappeared. So what happened to him? Over the last 18 months, we’ve been working with exclusive access to Jón’s family and friends as we go in search of answers to this bizarre and baffling case. If you know anything about Jón’s disappearance – please email us in the strictest of confidence - documentaries@rte.ie or hvarerjon@ruv.is Credits: Where is 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. Designer 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 24, 2024 · 49 min
First Consignment: 02 - Attack
(Ep2/2) With Gadaffi’s first shipment of weapons to the IRA now landed into Ireland and dispersed around to hiding places, in this second and final part of this series, we hear how the IRA trained on these weapons. We then travel north, to Northern Ireland where on Tuesday, November 28th 1972, the IRA carried out ten rocket attacks injuring, maiming and killing. As we complete this story, we meet with the son of the first victim to be killed by these rockets, RUC Constable Robert Keys, a 55yr old father of six who was just finishing up his night shift at Belleek RUC station in Co. Fermanagh. Credits: Narrated by Liam O’Brien and Conor Keane. Produced by Liam O’Brien. Readings were by David Nelligan and Joe Garry – with special thanks to Colin Barker, production engineer in RTÉ Limerick. (2024) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 24, 2024 · 42 min
First Consignment: 01 - Airlift
(Ep1/2) In the summer of 1972, Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi approached the Provisional IRA with an offer of weapons. A few months later, this first ever shipment of arms landed into Ireland. Fifty years after all of this took place, those centrally involved in the mission finally tell a story that has never been told before. In this first part, we follow these weapons from their point of manufacture in Russia, through to their highly secretive arrival on Irish soil. Credits: Narrated by Liam O’Brien and Conor Keane. Produced by Liam O’Brien. Readings were by David Nelligan and Joe Garry – with special thanks to Colin Barker, production engineer in RTÉ Limerick. (2024) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 14, 2024 · 9 min
The Real Carrie Jade: Episode 8 - Jail!
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... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 13, 2024 · 2 min
The Real Carrie Jade: Bonus - Irish Gardaí arrest Samantha Cookes!
Just as we thought this series was complete, Irish Police confirm that yesterday, Friday, 12th July 2024 in County Kerry, "Gardaí arrested a woman in her 30s as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged welfare fraud in Tralee. She is currently detained at a Garda station in the Southern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Investigations are ongoing.” UPDATE: On Saturday afternoon, July 13th, 2024, Samantha Cookes was remanded in custody after being charged with the alleged theft of €59,094 from the Department of Social Protection - and further “serious charges” may follow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 5, 2024 · 33 min
The Real Carrie Jade: 06 - I’m Sadie Harris!
TikTok bites back! Carrie Jade’s online supporters find out they've been played. And they're angry. They dig into Samantha's past and discover more victims. As her most famous alias is finally exposed, Samantha Cookes disappears, leaving behind thousands in unpaid rent. And then Sadie Harris shows up... As our series concludes, we also reveal new tips that have come in since we began - and we hand this story over to film producers we’ve been working with. Watch out for an upcoming TV documentary on Samantha Cookes due to air on RTÉ One in autumn 2024! ... Credits: The Real Carrie Jade is written, reported and produced by Ronan Kelly. Narrated by Justine Stafford. Original music soundtrack by Fergal O'Connor. Sound designer is Ruth Kennington and the executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Production assistance by Nicoline Greer. Legal advice from Darren Lynch and Deirdre Ann Kelly. Marketing and promotions are by Maria Buckley, Amy O'Driscoll and Fiona Burke. Press and Publicity by Jilly McDonough. The designer is Niamh McKeown. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Contact us documentaries@rte.ie Episodes released weekly, each Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.