

Assume Nothing
BBC Radio Ulster
The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 1, 2021 • 10min
Episode 9: Acceptance
A rape trial that changes everything, for the acquitted, the woman and the legal system.
A former complainant and a former defendant tell us about trying to move on after their verdicts. And the longer lasting effects of going through a rape and sexual assault trial.January 2018. An Irish rugby international and his young team mate are on trial, accused of raping a woman at a house party. Outside the court house, there are queues of people trying to get in. Inside, scuffles break out to get the best seats in the packed public gallery. On Twitter, thousands are following the trial and sharing their opinions on who they think is telling the truth. After nine weeks, the two men are acquitted. Although the jury's not guilty verdict was unanimous, the public's verdict is not. Crowds gather on the streets of Belfast and Dublin, waving banners saying 'I Believe Her' whilst others say justice has been done. There are criticisms of how both sides were treated over social media. There are loud calls for change. A former high court judge is immediately commissioned to review the criminal justice system for sex offences in Northern Ireland. While Sir John Gillen does not comment on any specific trial, what he recommends astonishes politicians, lawyers and campaigners alike. When his proposals are taken up, Northern Ireland will find itself at the forefront of radical reform in the way rape trials are heard in the future.Written and produced by Sarah Mole
Commissioning and Executive Editor: Andy Martin

Sep 25, 2021 • 27min
Episode 1: Data Kidnap
One of the UK’s most high profile cyber-attacks: Some think it’s the work of cyber jihadis, but the truth is much closer to home. The story of how teenage clicks crippled a communications giant.

Sep 25, 2021 • 27min
Episode 2: Teenage Clicks
Who had the know-how and the inclination to take down TalkTalk? We get a glimpse inside the mind of a hacker as the story of one of the UK’s most high-profile cases takes an unlikely turn.

Sep 25, 2021 • 27min
Episode 3: We need to talk about TalkTalk
Stolen Data, Scams, Fines and Arrests: How the TalkTalk case was resolved and how it changed the discourse around cybercrime in the UK.

Aug 21, 2021 • 26min
Episode 1: The Vanishing
A compelling five-part mystery based on the true story of one man’s search for justice on a remote Irish island, blending documentary and drama.
Episode 1: The Vanishing.
When Neville Presho returns to Tory Island after many years overseas, he gets the shock of his life – his house has vanished. All that remains is a bathtub, lying upside down on the shore.
Neville first came to the remote Irish island in the 1970s and made a documentary about the islanders' traditional way of life, their culture and language. Neville felt warmly welcomed – now, he faces a wall of silence. Some talk mysteriously of a whirlwind and a strange glow in the night sky, others say Neville would be better off not asking. No one will tell him what happened, not even the island’s King.Neville sets out on a search for justice, but his quest will come at great personal cost.The House that Vanished features documentary interviews with key people involved in Neville’s astonishing story alongside dramatised scenes written by Jan Carson.Presented by Siobhán McSweeney.Cast:Neville ... Tony Flynn
Fiona ... Fo Cullen
Mary Meehan ... Carol Moore
Patrick Doohan ... Seán T. Ó Meallaigh
Patsy Dan ... Mark Lambert
Father O’Neill ... Niall Cusack
Man 1 ... Lalor Roddy
Woman ... Megan Armitage
Man 2 ... Desmond Eastwood
Film Crew ... Michael PatrickWritten by Jan Carson
Produced by Conor McKay and Michael Shannon
Executive Editor: Andy Martin

Aug 21, 2021 • 26min
Episode 2: The Real King of Tory
A compelling five-part mystery based on the true story of one man’s search for justice on a remote Irish island, blending documentary and drama.Episode 2: The Real King of ToryNeville sets off on a journey around Ireland in search of clues, but the shock of discovering his house has vanished begins to affect his health. Feeling like he’s trapped in a nightmare, Neville recalls the peace and tranquility he first found on Tory – and a film he made years before seems to offer a strange prophecy about what may have happened to his house.The House that Vanished features documentary interviews with key people involved in Neville’s astonishing story alongside dramatised scenes written by Jan Carson.Presented by Siobhán McSweeneyCast:Neville ... Tony Flynn
Fiona ... Fo Cullen
Patrick Doohan ... Seán T. Ó Meallaigh
Council worker ... Carol Moore
Guard ... Faolán Morgan
Sean ... Michael Patrick
Tourism Woman ... Megan Armitage
Engineer ... Desmond EastwoodWritten by Jan Carson
Produced by Conor McKay and Michael Shannon
Executive editor: Andy Martin

Aug 21, 2021 • 26min
Episode 3: Balor's Fort
A compelling five-part mystery based on the true story of one man’s search for justice on a remote Irish island, blending documentary and drama.Episode 3: Balor's Fort Neville tracks down a contractor who offers him new information about events leading up to the disappearance of his house, but Neville’s obsessive search for answers comes at a heavy price. Neville decides to forgive those he believes have wronged him, leading to a long, dark night of the soul at Balor’s Fort on Tory island.The House that Vanished features documentary interviews with key people involved in Neville’s astonishing story alongside dramatised scenes written by Jan Carson.Presented by Siobhán McSweeneyCast:Neville ... Tony Flynn
Fiona ... Fo Cullen
Patrick Doohan ... Seán T. Ó Meallaigh
John McGinty ... Seamus O’Hara
Doctor ... Ian BeattieWritten by Jan Carson
Produced by Conor McKay and Michael Shannon
Executive editor: Andy Martin

Aug 21, 2021 • 27min
Episode 4: The Holy Clay
A compelling five-part mystery based on the true story of one man’s search for justice on a remote Irish island, blending documentary and drama.Episode 4: The Holy Clay It seems Neville can’t stay away from the island that haunts his every waking moment. A chance encounter on the ferry to Tory offers a new opportunity for justice and Neville finally finds a solicitor willing to listen to his story, but the strain of so many years spent searching for answers puts huge pressure on his marriage.The House that Vanished features documentary interviews with key people involved in Neville’s astonishing story alongside dramatised scenes written by Jan Carson.Presented by Siobhán McSweeneyCast:Neville ... Tony Flynn
Fiona ... Fo Cullen
Anton ... Ian Beattie
Gillespie ... Patrick Fitzsymons
Clerk ... Desmond Eastwood
Justice Murphy ... Mark Lambert
O’Dualachain ... Faolán Morgan
O’Tuaithail ... Michael Patrick
John McGinty ... Seamus O’HaraWritten by Jan Carson
Produced by Conor McKay and Michael Shannon
Executive editor: Andy Martin

Aug 21, 2021 • 26min
Episode 5: The Hand of God
A compelling five-part mystery based on the true story of one man’s search for justice on a remote Irish island, blending documentary and drama.Episode 5: The Hand of GodNeville finally has his day in court facing the man he believes is responsible for the disappearance of his house, but as he waits to hear the outcome of his case Neville finds himself on the wrong side of the law.The House that Vanished features documentary interviews with key people involved in Neville’s astonishing story alongside dramatised scenes written by Jan Carson.Presented by Siobhán McSweeney.Cast:Neville Presho … Tony Flynn
Patrick Doohan … Seán T. Ó Meallaigh
Justice Murphy … Mark Lambert
Prosecution barrister … Faolán Morgan
Defence barrister … Michael Patrick
Psychiatrist … Patrick Fitzsymons
Garda officer ... Niall Cusack
Reporter ... Megan Armitage
Hotel owner .... Lalor RoddyWritten by Jan Carson
Produced by Conor McKay and Michael Shannon
Executive Editor: Andy Martin

Jun 5, 2021 • 14min
Episode 1: Unexpected Visitors
It was the biggest bank robbery in British and Irish history. Days before Christmas 2004, gangs of armed men take over the homes of two Northern Bank officials in Belfast and County Down. With family members held hostage, the officials are instructed to remove cash from the vaults of Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast city-centre and load it into the back of a van - not once, but twice - before the van disappears into the night, along with more than £26.5 million in new and used notes. With the finger of blame pointed at the IRA, the raid makes headlines around the world and sends shock-waves through an already faltering Northern Ireland peace process. Through dramatized court testimonies, new interviews and archive, Glenn Patterson takes us into the unfolding story of a meticulously planned heist and its chaotic aftermath. Military precision giving way to soap powder boxes stuffed with cash. The bickering of politicians against the silence of the man said to be the robbery’s mastermind. There are even rumours that proceeds from the robbery are to be used as a pension fund for IRA members as it prepares to disarm and disband. Glenn Patterson has unfinished business with the Northern Bank Job. In fact, he thinks all of Northern Ireland does. Episode One: Unexpected Visitors Northern Bank employee Chris Ward is watching TV with his dad when there's a knock at the door. Kevin McMullan is at home with his wife Kyran when Police come to tell them there's been a road traffic accident. But all is not as it seems...
Presenter: Glenn Patterson
Actors: Louise Parker, Conor O'Donnell & Thomas Finnegan
Music: Phil Kieran
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
Producer: Conor Garrett
A BBC Northern Ireland production


