Episodes
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...
Published 05/09/23
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...
Published 05/02/23
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 authorities reveal nothing about her. In desperation, the Gardaí (Police) release a photograph of the girl to the public with spectacular results. And the story of who the GPO Girl is takes us far...
Published 04/25/23
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...  Previous series from Doc On One include The Nobody Zone, GunPlot and Tiger Roll:...
Published 04/19/23
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...
Published 03/03/22
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...
Published 03/02/22
The biggest prize in National Hunt racing is the Grand National, and in 2018 Tiger was entered into a race nobody ever thought he could take on. But is he up for the challenge? (Ep 6/7). 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...
Published 03/01/22
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) 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...
Published 02/28/22
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...
Published 02/28/22
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) 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...
Published 02/24/22
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). Released daily on weekdays (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...
Published 02/23/22
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...
Published 02/22/22
The fourth and final recordings we have from the Arms Trial. Taking place on the morning of October 20th 1970, this is the unedited courtroom tape recording of the closing address to the jury by Niall McCarthy, Charlie Haughey’s Barrister. A masterclass in how to address a jury, Niall McCarthy argues that Charles Haughey should be acquitted. And the defence was successful - Haughey, along with the others accused, was found innocent. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled...
Published 06/17/21
The third of four recordings we have from the Arms Trial. Taking place on the morning of October 20th 1970, this is the unedited courtroom tape recording of a legal argument. This is something you never read about from a trial. Such discussions between the judge and barristers for both sides normally take place in the absence of the jury and are not permitted to be reported on.  --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player...
Published 06/16/21
The second of four recordings we have from the Arms Trial. Taking place on the afternoon of October 16th 1970, this is the unedited courtroom tape recording of the opening speech by Peter Maguire, Charlie Haughey’s barrister. The case for the defence of Charles Haughey is laid before the jury. This was a preamble to the ‘main event’ of the Arms Crisis: the testimony of the fallen star of the political firmament - Charles Haughey. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled...
Published 06/15/21
The first of four recordings we have from the Arms Trial. Taking place on the morning of October 16th 1970, this is the unedited courtroom tape recording of Captain James Kelly being cross examined by Seamus McKenna, Prosecution Barrister. "Two prize fighters slugging it out on the floor of the Central Criminal Court". That's how this recording is described by historian, Michael Heney.  --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player...
Published 06/14/21
More than 50 years after the Arms Crisis of 1970, the effects echo through to today. There was personal fallout, financial fallout, social fallout and political fallout. It was, and continues to be, the biggest political scandal of modern Ireland. So what happened all those involved? Who were the 'winners' and who were the 'losers'? This is where we bring our story to an end. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player...
Published 06/07/21
A stunning period in Irish life comes to a climax. Four men stand before the High Court, charged with conspiring to import arms and ammunition illegally into Ireland. A Government Minister, an Army officer, a Belgian businessman and a proud IRA man. If found guilty, jail beckons. The entire country holds its breath. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and...
Published 05/31/21
The country is about to wake up to some shocking news. The plan to secretly import weapons is blown wide open and the dominoes are about to start falling with devastating consequences for some of those involved. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and Nicoline Greer. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One...
Published 05/24/21
Attempts continue to bring black market sub-machine guns and pistols into Ireland. But when an Irish policeman is shot on the streets of Dublin, everything changes. And the forces seeking to undo the entire plot to import guns are growing stronger. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and Nicoline Greer. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance...
Published 05/17/21
The hunt for guns leads to a meeting in Antwerp with a shady arms dealer. The Minister for Defence issues a directive that could lead to an invasion of Northern Ireland. A group of men wait at Dublin Port for a shipment of arms to arrive. Official Ireland is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and Nicoline...
Published 05/10/21
It’s October 1969 and the truth is becoming murky. A plan to buy weapons begins to come together. And a group of men go shopping for guns. But what happens when the arms dealer they meet is actually a foreign spy?  --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via the RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and Nicoline Greer. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On...
Published 05/03/21
A secret plan by members of the Irish Government to import guns into Ireland begins to come together. But forces are gathering in the wings to scupper it. Will the plot survive?  --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via the RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and Nicoline Greer. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production assistance from the RTÉ Documentary On One Team. Special thanks to all our...
Published 04/26/21
As tensions continue to rise, the Irish Army is hurriedly moved to the border of Northern Ireland. Is this a sign that Ireland is going to take on the might of the British Empire? One Irish government minister hopes so. And his name is Neil Blaney. --- Companion TV documentary to this series, also titled GunPlot, is available via the RTÉ Player (Worldwide) Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded and produced by Ronan Kelly and Nicoline Greer. Sound Design by Damian Chennells Production...
Published 04/19/21
An Irish Army Captain goes on holidays – a strange kind of holiday. To a city where he knows there is likely to be ‘trouble’. He arrives as a three-day street battle, now known as 'the Battle of the Bogside', begins. And it changes everything (Ep1/8). Released weekly. To listen/subscribe to this entire series, search for ‘GunPlot’ from wherever you get your podcasts. Companion TV documentary to this series airs Wednesday Apr 28th @9.30pm on RTÉ One. Credits: GunPlot was written, recorded...
Published 04/12/21