Pirate Predator
RTÉ Documentary on One
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About This Podcast
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. If affected by any issues raised, please visit rte.ie/helplines
If you have any information or knowledge about this story, please email us [email protected].
Previous RTÉ Documentary On One series include Stolen Sister, Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.
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Recent Episodes
S11E5 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 Cooke’s dark, hidden…
S11E4 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. But Captain Cooke…
S11E3 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 control of the pirate…
S11E2 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 shield of protection…
S11E1 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 times violent,…
S11 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 figure - filling a…
S11E4 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, sidelining the…
S11E3 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. The kidnapping…
S11E2 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 manifesto for their new…
S11E1 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; Holly, Glenn and…
S10 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 into how the…
S10E6 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 begin to return to…
S10 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 documentary from RTÉ…
S10E5 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 with their children…
S10E4 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 medical witnesses…
S10E3 First Conviction: 03 - Trial One
Having had their children under supervision and monitored by authorities for three years, and having had to sign on bail twice weekly during that time, Sayeed and Halawa finally face trial, the first…
S10E2 First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping
It’s only after four days in hospital that Sayeed and Halawa begin to understand they’re in real difficulty. No one appears to believe them. Within a week of arriving to hospital with their injured…
S10E1 First Conviction: 01 - The Incident
September 2016 is where this story begins. A young married couple are at home in Dublin on a Friday morning with their two young children. Having changed her nappy, their 21 month old daughter turns,…
S10 First Conviction: Trailer
An investigation into the case of a couple imprisoned for a crime against their child - that never happened… Publishing weekly from October 8th 2025 - a new 6-part podcast series & TV doc (Nov…
S9 Stolen Sister: Bonus - Petition and Witness Accounts
Over the last seven weeks we have heard from many people who have had interactions with John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Up to twenty people have provided us with accounts of attempted abductions,…
Frequently Asked Questions
Pirate Predator has published 92 episodes since February 2020, covering topics in Documentary, Society & Culture.
Pirate Predator is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 35m.
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