Episode 749: Q&A - Robbie Lawlor’s secret lover, EncroChat, and justice for Anthony Campbell

Serial fraudster Samantha Cookes constructed an extraordinary web of deception that stretched across Ireland and the UK. A master manipulator, she adopted multiple identities and personas, to gain the trust of families, universities and even state agencies. Over the years, Cookes falsely claimed to be living with Huntington's disease, posed as a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and even a surrogate mother. Her elaborate fabrications left a trail of victims and unanswered questions. Today, Chloe McPolin is joined by journalist and documentary maker Alan Bradley to discuss his new book, Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster to discuss how the chameleon known as Carrie Jade Williams came to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Convicted criminal Cyril McGuinness, who died in his UK home as police arrived to quiz him in relation to his role in the kidnap and torture of Kevin Lunny, has been named as one of three men involved in the IRA's 1996 bombing of Manchester. According to the Manchester Evening News, police suspected McGuinness, known as 'Dublin Jimmy', of having a hands-on role in the bomb plot. Nicola talks to Niall Donald about the Irish Republican who would have faced two major court cases had he lived to stand in the dock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crowds gathered to pay their respects this week at the funeral of gangland hitman Lee McDonnell. Doves and blue balloons were released over the grave as his gold plated coffin was lowered into the ground. Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about the final send off for one of the underworlds most feared enforcers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Collins family are completely blindsided by Martin Earley’s arrest. None of them have ever heard of him.  Ann O’Grady has since died but never mentioned his name to them or any involvement a local married man might have had with Sandra.  Earley is charged with Sandra’s murder, and her family must now prepare themselves for his trial.  When it finally starts in May 2024 they are shocked to finally hear details of her life in Killala that they were clueless about.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Donaldson has begun his new life in Maghaberry Prison. Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor, are set to be stripped of their honours. The former MP and DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child sex offences on Monday - including one count of rape.     The 63-year-old had pleaded not guilty, but the jury of seven men and five considered its verdicts for ten hours over three days, believing his victims.  His wife Eleanor Donaldson was found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts.    Allison Morris joined Ciarán Dunbar to talk about what we couldn’t report while the trial was ongoing.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.