Cover cover

Cover

BBC Radio 5 Live

Cover is an award-winning series investigating true stories of people living secret double lives, presented and produced by Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy. Series 1: Where Is George Gibney? An Olympic coach charged with child sexual abuse who never stood trial. Instead, he vanished. Series 2: Stakeknife. A man tasked with finding and killing alleged IRA informers who was, in fact, a British agent all along. You can contact our production team about either series at cover@bbc.co.uk. Credits for series 2: Stakeknife - Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Cover is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

Cover is an award-winning series investigating true stories of people living secret double lives, presented and produced by Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy. Series 1: Where Is George Gibney? An Olympic coach charged with child sexual abuse who never stood trial. Instead, he vanished. Series 2: Stakeknife. A man tasked with finding and killing alleged IRA informers who was, in fact, a British agent all along. You can contact our production team about either series at cover@bbc.co.uk. Credits for series 2: Stakeknife - Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Cover is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

1. It Happened in the Summer

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Episodes

1. It Happened in the Summer 27 Aug 2020

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… 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

2. 'We've Been Expecting You' 03 Sep 2020

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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some strong language right from the start. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline

3. Bail 10 Sep 2020

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? 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

4. He Upped and Vanished 17 Sep 2020

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. 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

5. Land of Opportunity 24 Sep 2020

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’. 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

6. Sunshine State 01 Oct 2020

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. 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

7. Christ Renews 08 Oct 2020

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. 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

8. Talk 15 Oct 2020

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. 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language right from the start. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline. The final two episodes of Where Is George Gibney? will take into account some of the correspondence and coverage received over the past eight weeks. Episode 9 will be available on Thursday 3rd December, with episode 10 coming a week later. You’ll be able to listen first via the BBC Sounds app which is available to download for free wherever you are in the world.

A message to listeners - new bonus Q&A episode out now on BBC Sounds 11 Nov 2020

Download the free BBC Sounds app to hear a new bonus Q&A episode with Mark and Cass.

9. Her Voice is Coming 03 Dec 2020

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. -- 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

10. Sea Swimming 10 Dec 2020

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. -- 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 McDonnell Caroline’s letter is voiced by Clare Monnelly Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

11. Case Update 24 Nov 2023

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 Editing: Mark Horgan Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune: Aaron Dessner Commissioning Editor: Dylan Haskins Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds. This podcast refers to child sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Mark explains why this feed is now called Cover. 08 Nov 2024

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 one of which was ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and series 2 is coming next week, first thing on Tuesday the 12th of November. You can continue to contact our production team about either series via our new email cover@bbc.co.uk and rest assured, any significant future movements in the story of George Gibney will also be covered right here. Talk to you again next week.

12. Case Update: George Gibney Arrested in Florida 11 Jul 2025

In a hugely significant development, the former Irish Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in Florida. Mark brings us the very latest. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune: Aaron Dessner Commissioning Editor: Dylan Haskins Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds.

1. The Man Who Never Was 22 Nov 2024

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

2. Sin É 29 Nov 2024

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

3. The FRU 06 Dec 2024

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? Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

4. The (Estate) Agent 13 Dec 2024

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

5. Someone Bigger 20 Dec 2024

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

6. Playing God 27 Dec 2024

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

A message to listeners - one week break 03 Jan 2025

Episode 7 is available on Friday, January 3rd on BBC Sounds.

7. The Beginning of the End 10 Jan 2025

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

8. The General and the Agent 17 Jan 2025

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

9. No Harm Will Come to You 24 Jan 2025

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

10. Frank 31 Jan 2025

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. Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

A message to listeners - Q&A with Patrick Radden Keefe and bonus interview coming soon 17 Apr 2025

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 20 Jun 2025

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. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Co-Producer: Killian Down Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioner for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioner for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

12. Bonus Episode With Angela Donnelly, Sister of Eugene Simons 20 Jun 2025

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. Credits Reporter: Mark Horgan Produced and written by: Mark Horgan Editing and Sound Design: Mark Horgan Composer: Michael Fleming Theme tune by Lankum Artwork by Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioner for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioner for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

Introducing... Where is George Gibney? 13 Aug 2020

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. 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 McDonnell Theme tune by Aaron Dessner Executive Producer for BBC: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps Where is George Gibney? is a Second Captains Production for BBC Sounds

Introducing... Stakeknife 12 Nov 2024

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 Freddie Scappaticci. Why was he protected? How did he walk the tightrope between the IRA and British Army intelligence for so long and when murders, often of entirely innocent people, were sometimes allowed to take place despite state security force surveillance, who gets to play God? This series is about far more than just one man; it’s about the state structures that protected him. From the production team behind the international award-winning ‘Where Is George Gibney?’, Stakeknife tells the story of one of the most-contested and darkest episodes of the Troubles. When neither side wants the story of Stakeknife to come out, how does society try to reconcile the truth about what happened? Credits Reporter: 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 Conor Merriman Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green. Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Stakeknife is a Second Captains & Little Wing production for BBC Sounds.

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