PODCAST

Assume Nothing

BBC Radio Ulster

The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.

true crime documentary

All Episodes

14:12

Episode 6: A Short History of Spying

Assume Nothing ·

2025/05/03

When the High Court finds the warrants were unlawful, the police investigation comes to an end. But Barry is concerned that he may have been placed under surveillance and he approaches the only court in the UK which can tell him if that’s true.The Investigatory Powers Tribunal has the power to find out if he was spied on unlawfully, but rarely find in favour of claimants. Years pass with no response – then, an unexpected revelation. One that will have far-reaching consequences for journalists and

18:49

Episode 5: Ex Parte v Inter Partes

Assume Nothing ·

2025/05/03

Released on bail, Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney begin a legal fight to challenge the legality of the warrants. Central to their case is the question of what the judge who granted the warrants was - and wasn’t - told by police.The judgment will be viewed as a landmark ruling on the rights of journalists to protect sources; were the warrants unlawful?A BBC Northern Ireland production

16:13

Episode 4: Operation Yurta

Assume Nothing ·

2025/04/26

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height’s Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No-one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 4 – Operation YurtaOn the day of the film’s Belfast premiere, police announce a new investigation – into the suspected theft of sensitive documents from the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland.Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney are arrested nine months

16:26

Episode 3: No Stone Unturned

Assume Nothing ·

2025/04/26

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height’s Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No-one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 3 – No Stone UnturnedWhile a second Ombudsman investigation gets underway, journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney start work on a new documentary about the Loughinisland massacre.When the Ombudsman’s report finds elements of the police prevented

13:38

Episode 1: Early One Morning

Assume Nothing ·

2025/04/19

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height’s Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 1 – Early One MorningInvestigative journalist Barry McCaffrey has slept in and he’s late for work. When his doorbell rings at 7am, Barry wonders if the day he’s been dreading has finally arrived – are his worst fears about to come true?A BBC Northern

16:18

Episode 2: Six Men Dead

Assume Nothing ·

2025/04/19

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 2 – Six Men DeadBarry recounts the tragic events of 18th June, when a ruthless UVF gang open fire indiscriminately in the Height’s Bar – killing six men, and seriously wounding five others. When ten years pass without any charges or convictions – the families of the

14:16

1. A Very Strange Event

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

A hush-hush factory opening. No photographs allowed. A story of cover-ups, corporate espionage, fightbacks – and death ...In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders,

14:49

2. Burying Evidence

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

An unmarked grave – and missing documents. What do the authorities know?In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia doesn’t know it

14:33

3. The "Evil Day"?

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

A secretive place – but some are talking. And a dying woman decides to tell her story. Will anyone get to listen?In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this

14:31

4. Panic

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

Strikes, panic, stock market shares in freefall. Corporate espionage has some very odd results.In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making

14:34

5. The Bodies Pile Up

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

A woman types an anonymous letter. She’ll never know - but it will trigger a battle from red brick England, to the skyscrapers of Manhattan.In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia

14:13

6. One Million Pages

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

Strange packages arriving from the US - and a terrible death prompts a woman to take action for her family.In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory

14:25

7. Guilty Knowledge

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

The teams prepare for court battle but are finding it tough – until the phone rings.In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia doesn’t

14:23

8. The Poisoned Children

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

Casually scanning through old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Then another line takes her down a rabbit hole from which she will not emerge for eight months. All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” Ophelia

14:19

9. Frozen

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

Into the present – and people are still dying…In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia doesn’t know it when she starts out, but her

14:25

10. Back to Ballyclare

Assume Nothing ·

2025/03/10

A new campaign - and a return to that small town story where it all began.In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia doesn’t know it

19:42

Episode 1: Death Becomes Him

Assume Nothing ·

2025/01/04

Doctor John Bodkin Adams enters the frame. A Northern Irish doctor with a foreboding personality, and big aspirations to go with it. Life in Eastbourne as a GP is sweet, but when the unexpected death of patient ‘Bobbie Hullett’ sparks a mysterious phone call to police, everything changes. What has been happening behind closed doors of Dr Adams’ visits? Presented by Vinny Hurrell. Produced, edited and mixed by Vinny Hurrell. The Executive Editor is Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland

22:28

Episode 2: A Fatal Practice

Assume Nothing ·

2025/01/04

Death, death and more death. A high profile arrest shines a spotlight on some surprising goings on among Eastbourne patients. Brash and determined ‘Detective Superintendent Herbert Hannam’ is assigned to the case. Hannam is consumed by the investigation with his complete focus locked into uncovering what he can, about Dr Adams. But will he get more than he bargained for? Heroin, morphine, barbiturates. Lashings of drugs, readily consumed by elderly rich patients. Details of the treatment and death

25:48

Episode 3: Echoes of Trust

Assume Nothing ·

2025/01/04

A clear picture emerges of how deeply entrenched in the lives of his patients, the ‘good doctor’ was. Was this all-consuming trust and care, or something much more sinister? Can Doctor John Bodkin Adams, convince his patients to do anything he commands? A common pattern in diagnosis starts to emerge and DS Hannam believes he has uncovered the driving force behind many of Doctor Adams’ decisions. But, has the detective superintendent misjudged John’s motives? Presented by Vinny Hurrell

18:59

Episode 4: The Trial of the Century

Assume Nothing ·

2025/01/04

Doctor John Bodkin Adams finds himself in the Old Bailey, in front of the imposing Judge Lord Devlin. The country is hooked by revelation after revelation leading to titillating newspaper headlines across the tabloid front pages. Arrogance and secrecy is laid out for all to see, as medical professionals, scientists and a barrage of other ‘justice thirsty witnesses’, reveal their truths. A shocking twist to the interrogations in the witness box, surprise almost everyone in the room. Presented

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