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...
Latest episodes
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38 min
Karen's Story
In this episode, we bring you a deeply personal interview with Karen, a daughter of Eamon Cooke. As a child, Karen was abused by her father, and in 2010, Eamon Cooke was convicted…
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32 min
Unsolved: Philip Cairns New Development
In this special episode of Unsolved, documentary maker Peter Mulryan of Pirate Predator joins Barry and Katja to exclusively reveal a new development in the case of missing schoolb…
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34 min
Pirate Predator: Bonus - Tips and Full Statement
Throughout the making of this series, nearly 100 people came forward - by phone, by email, or under the cover of anonymity - all with something to say about Eamon Cooke. This bonus…
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40 min
Pirate Predator: 07 - Endgame
After decades of abusing children with apparent impunity, the law was finally catching up with Eamon Cooke. Determined to stop him, Siobháin took her case to Gardaí—sparking what w…
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33 min
Pirate Predator: 06 - Duplicity
The 1980s was the decade in Ireland in which Pirate Radio hit both its peak, and also its lowest point when legislation enforced blanket closures. Except of course for Radio Dublin…
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33 min
Pirate Predator: 05 - Defiance
As the 1980s dawn, a new breed of super pirate radio stations arrive to rewrite the Irish rulebook, leaving authorities scrambling to respond. But as the decade progresses, Eamon C…
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32 min
Pirate Predator: 04 - Secrets and Lies
With Eamon Cooke at the helm of Radio Dublin, his true image begins to emerge. When child abuse allegations are brought to light, it's hoped that will put a stop to his behaviour.…
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33 min
Pirate Predator: 03 - Mutiny
In 1978, Radio Dublin made history as Ireland's first 24-hour station. But behind the scenes, a darker story was unfolding. Eamon Cooke, already a convicted criminal, was now in co…
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32 min
Pirate Predator: 02 - The Innocent
Having spent much of his youth and early adult life in some serious tangles with the law, all of a sudden, Eamon Cooke turns the other cheek. It’s as if he was trying to build a sh…
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31 min
Pirate Predator: 01 - The Electrician
Long before he ruled the airwaves of Dublin’s pirate radio scene, Eamon Cooke was a man defined by a different kind of interference. His youth wasn't just rebellious; it was at tim…
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5 min
Pirate Predator: Trailer
Publishing weekly from May 11th 2026, Pirate Predator is a new series from RTÉ telling the definitive story of Eamon Cooke, a man of many faces who, on one hand, became a cult like…
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32 min
30 Acres: 04 - List of Demands
It’s Christmastime at 30 Acres and Glenn, Iseult and Holly are hiding out in Glenn’s bomb shelter with their hostage, Sean Granite. Alistair Crowe plans to strike a deal with Holly…
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39 min
30 Acres: 03 - The Prisoner
The developer of 30 Acres, Sean Granite, was once a titan of the construction industry. Now he’s a prisoner in Glenn’s jeep as it hurtles across the mangled roadways of the estate.…
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38 min
30 Acres: 02 - The Hunt for Sean Granite
Holly, Glenn and Iseult have received repossession letters. Soon all three will be evicted from their homes. But they’re not giving up without a fight. They cobble together a manif…
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39 min
30 Acres: 01 - 30 Acres Says No
December 2009. Colm is an investigative reporter for RTÉ, assigned to the story of an enormous ghost estate called 30 Acres. Only three inhabitants remain on this barren wasteland;…
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48 min
First Conviction: Bonus - Behind the Scenes
As a combined project of a podcast series and TV documentary, First Conviction was over 15 months in production. In this bonus episode - and in a first for RTÉ - we give an insight…
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30 min
First Conviction: 06 - Limbo
Having spent two years in jail, Sayeed and Halawa are relieved when the Court of Appeal make a ruling on their case. As they return home to their children, they hope life might beg…
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2 min
First Conviction: Update
Just a quick message to say we’re pausing the release of the concluding episode of this series until this day next week - Wednesday November 12th, the same day on which our TV docu…
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28 min
First Conviction: 05 - 750 days
Having been found guilty and sentenced to 5 years in prison, Sayeed and Halawa are taken to separate jails in Ireland to serve out their sentences. Deprived of their freedom, and w…
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28 min
First Conviction: 04 - Verdict
Sayeed and Halawa are facing two charges in court - an act of FGM against their daughter, and child cruelty. If found guilty, they face up to 14 years in prison. Despite all medica…