PODCAST

Assume Nothing

BBC Radio Ulster

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

true crime documentary

All Episodes

24:55

4. Parachuting into War with a Gramophone

Assume Nothing ·

2025/08/09

A fierce warrior turned master strategist, he led elite SAS troops on missions that shifted the tide of World War II. Decorated four times yet denied the Victoria Cross. Was it down to a typo or a face that didn’t fit? Today, his legend burns brighter than ever, fuelling a renewed campaign to honour him with the Victoria Cross.

25:06

3. The Power of the Unthinkable

Assume Nothing ·

2025/08/02

Blair Mayne instils a maverick form of discipline, mourns a brother-in-arms, and forms the tip of the spear to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

25:08

2. Vagabonds and Gentlemen

Assume Nothing ·

2025/07/26

In the shadows of the Middle East, Blair is pulled into a secret war fought far from the headlines. Recruited by a newly formed unit known only to a few - the SAS - Blair wages chaos and destruction behind enemy lines, where no rules apply.Featuring contributions from Steve Knight, Damien Lewis, David McCallion, and Gavin Mortimer. Plus SAS Originals David Sterling, Bob Bennett, Jim Almonds and Dave Kershaw among others. Thanks to Gordon Stevens, the Imperial War Museum and Patric McGonigal.

25:09

1. Let’s rob the bank next door...

Assume Nothing ·

2025/07/19

Tales in making a sporting soldier...Blair Mayne floored his own boxing coach at Queen’s University in Belfast, shot a springbok on the 1938 British & Irish Lions tour, and later stood sharp as a solicitor. The life of this Newtownards war hero was built for the big screen, but did they get it right? Soft-spoken leader of men, or natural born hell raiser? We find out about the Real Blair 'Paddy' Mayne.Featuring contributions from David McCallion, Peter Forbes, Fiona Ferguson, Damien Lewis, Peta

18:16

Episode 8: Who Watches the Watchmen

Assume Nothing ·

2025/05/10

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 8 – Who Watches the WatchmenAs the dust settles on a historic judgement by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – Barry and Trevor say their fight is not yet over, demanding a full public inquiry to reveal the full extent of surveillance. Can a wide-ranging

15:14

Episode 7: Full Disclosure

Assume Nothing ·

2025/05/10

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 7 – Full DisclosureBarry and Trevor prepare for a rare public hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – but last minute disclosures from police forces across the U.K bring repeated adjournments – and raise serious questions about how wide the net

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

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

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

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

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