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Cover

BBC Radio 5 Live 30 Episodes Aug 27, 2020

Cover is an award-winning series investigating true stories of people living secret double lives. Series 1 explores the case of George Gibney, an Olympic coach charged with child sexual abuse who vanished before trial. Series 2 delves into Stakeknife, a man tasked with finding and killing alleged IRA informers who was actually a British agent. The podcast is presented and produced by Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy.

Episodes

1. It Happened in the Summer Aug 27, 2020 1790 It’s 5am, it’s dark. We’re in a car outside a house where we think the former celebrity coach now lives. The neighbourhood gets suspicious. A garage door opens…CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnellTheme tune

2. 'We've Been Expecting You' Sep 3, 2020 2177 It seems like time is up for George Gibney as Gary O’Toole goes on a mission to find more swimmers who may have been abused by the coach.Credits:Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnellTheme tune by Aaron DessnerCommis

3. Bail Sep 10, 2020 2190 Two people who work closely with Gibney believe very different things about their boss. Meanwhile, Mark and Cass continue observing the former coach. But who is observing them?CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDo

4. He Upped and Vanished Sep 17, 2020 1807 As Gibney’s new life in the UK begins, a groundbreaking news article starts to take shape. The public are still unaware of Gibney’s past but this story could change that forever.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger Mc

5. Land of Opportunity Sep 24, 2020 2310 As more abusers face justice, we knock on doors across the US to understand Gibney’s path. Former colleagues talk about the popular co-worker and volunteer they called ‘John’.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDon

6. Sunshine State Oct 1, 2020 1958 We learn of another abuse allegation involving Gibney, this time in Florida. A gifted former swimmer called ‘Susan’ is no longer well enough to talk to us. Her sister tells her story. CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing:

7. Christ Renews Oct 8, 2020 2329 We discover new information on Gibney’s life today and investigate his religious and coaching links. A Hall of Fame coach speaks publicly about his mentor for the first time.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonn

8. Talk Oct 15, 2020 1722 As our journey in the US comes to an end, it’s time to talk to George Gibney. But he hasn’t left his house in days and we don’t know why. Time is running out.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnellTheme tune by

A message to listeners - new bonus Q&A episode out now on BBC Sounds Nov 11, 2020 59 Download the free BBC Sounds app to hear a new bonus Q&A episode with Mark and Cass.

9. Her Voice is Coming Dec 3, 2020 2251 Survivors continue to come forward for the first time and a new voice emerges from Waterford. We tell the story of Loraine Kennedy with some help from her daughter, Louise.-- CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDon

10. Sea Swimming Dec 10, 2020 2686 As a police investigation into Gibney is confirmed, survivors around the world begin to talk. A significant voice in the story of George Gibney comes forward.-- CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnellCaroline’s

11. Case Update Nov 24, 2023 3369 Almost three years on from our last episode, there’s a significant update on the case of George Gibney. We also hear from contributors to the podcast series speaking publicly at an emotional event in the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan, Ciaran Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editin

Mark explains why this feed is now called Cover. Nov 8, 2024 59 A message from Mark Horgan on a new investigative series launching next week from the production team behind ‘Where Is George Gibney?’This new series will focus on another figure who lived a double life and was eventually forced to live under cover. And it’s a story, like the George Gibney one, that many would prefer was never told.So from this point on, this feed will be renamed ‘Cover.’ Series 1

12. Case Update: George Gibney Arrested in Florida Jul 11, 2025 647 In a hugely significant development, the former Irish Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in Florida. Mark brings us the very latest.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune: Aaron Dessner Commissioning Editor: Dylan HaskinsWhere is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds.

1. The Man Who Never Was Nov 22, 2024 2248 A man flees Northern Ireland when he’s named as Stakeknife. At a surprise press conference a few days later he denies the charges but a forgotten tape comes back to haunt him.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum A

2. Sin É Nov 29, 2024 2942 Mark speaks to the brother of one of the first people interrogated by Stakeknife. We follow Seamus’ journey as he retraces his brothers steps in the days before he was murdered.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum

3. The FRU Dec 6, 2024 2947 Mark meets two former members of the FRU, the secret army intelligence unit that ran the agent Stakeknife. How did they recruit people? How was Scappaticci recruited?CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by

4. The (Estate) Agent Dec 13, 2024 2318 Mark tells the story of a man called Joe Fenton and how he was connected to Stakeknife. We learn there was a hierarchy of agents, where some were saved and some were not.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwor

5. Someone Bigger Dec 20, 2024 2651 Brendan Hughes wants to question Joe Fenton and find the “main mover.” Is Stakeknife suspected? We meet the former IRA man who interviewed Hughes and whose hero was Scappaticci.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum

6. Playing God Dec 27, 2024 2457 Orla and Kevin Coyle tell the story of their father who was killed as an alleged informer by the IRA. The profound shadow cast by their father’s death has lasted almost 30 years.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lanku

A message to listeners - one week break Jan 3, 2025 105 Episode 7 is available on Friday, January 3rd on BBC Sounds.

7. The Beginning of the End Jan 10, 2025 2190 In 1990, a man called Sandy Lynch was tied up, blindfolded and interrogated by Scappaticci. He survived to document his experience. Marks speaks to an IRA man who “guarded” Lynch.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lank

8. The General and the Agent Jan 17, 2025 3500 We return to the solicitor’s office in West Belfast as Mark meets three crucial people to discuss the end of Scappaticci’s time in the IRA and his eventual uncovering as the agent Stakeknife.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme

9. No Harm Will Come to You Jan 24, 2025 2960 Shauna tells the story of her mother Caroline Moreland. We hear how her campaigning has helped others connected to the the Stakeknife case and how other families have come forward to Mark since the start of this series.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound

10. Frank Jan 31, 2025 3273 Mark travels to where Freddie Scappaticci lived after he disappeared from Belfast. A news report we featured from 1987 inspires a man to get in touch with the podcast.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Paddy Fee Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme tune by Lankum Artwork b

A message to listeners - Q&A with Patrick Radden Keefe and bonus interview coming soon Apr 17, 2025 204 Two bonus episodes coming soon including a Q&A with Patrick Radden Keefe, the author of the international bestseller Say Nothing. The second episode is an exclusive interview with Angela Donnelly, a woman whose brother Eugene Simons was murdered and disappeared by the IRA in 1981, a killing connected to Stakeknife.Send your questions for Mark and Patrick to cover@bbc.co.uk.

11. Bonus Q&A with Mark Horgan and Patrick Radden Keefe Jun 20, 2025 3792 Mark is joined by the author of 'Say Nothing' Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss the making of 'Stakeknife' and also the television adaptation of 'Say Nothing'. They'll take your questions on both series and discuss the crossover elements between the two.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Co-Producer: Killian Down Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune by Lankum Artwork

12. Bonus Episode With Angela Donnelly, Sister of Eugene Simons Jun 20, 2025 2522 Angela Donnelly was one of the voices you heard at the end of episode 9 coming forward publicly for the first time. Angela is the sister of Eugene Simons who was murdered and disappeared by the IRA in 1981. She speaks to Mark at her home in County Down about her complicated relationship with her brother and how Stakeknife was involved in his murder.CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written

Introducing... Where is George Gibney? Aug 13, 2020 215 A famous Olympic coach charged with child sexual abuse never stood trial. Instead, he vanished.Reporter Mark Horgan travels across Ireland, the UK and the US on his trail. CreditsReporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy Co-Producer: Maria Horgan Research and fact checking: Killian Down Editing: Ciarán Cassidy Composer: Michael Fleming Sound mixing: Ger McDonne

Introducing... Stakeknife Nov 12, 2024 152 In Northern Ireland from 1978 to 1994, the IRA killed over 40 alleged informers; people accused of passing information to the police and the British Army. But the man who often found, tortured, and sometimes killed these men and women was himself an informer, a secret British Army Agent with the codename Stakeknife.Using secret recordings, reporter Mark Horgan traces the astonishing double life of

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Episodes

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