Rephonic
Artwork for Pirate Predator
Jón Jónsson
Ireland
Elizabeth Plunkett
Joe Maloney
Samantha Cookes
Female Genital Mutilation
Domestic Violence
Dublin
30 Acres
John Shaw
Geoffrey Evans
June Maloney
Joseph Maloney
Rochester, New York
Michael O'shea
Mary Duffy
RTÉ
Dublin Poker Festival
Mental Health
June Fisk

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 'Captai... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes90Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Pirate Predator

Latest Episodes

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 station Radio Dublin and began using his newfound ... more

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 around himself while at the same time committing th... more

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, volatile and unpredictable. These were the first glimpses ... more

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 void for disillusioned youth through Radio Dublin ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mary Feehlin
Chairperson of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland and an expert in translation, particularly in legal settings.
Dublin City University
Episode: First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping
Shane Dunphy
Child protection expert.
Episode: First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping
Tim Desmond
Producer and writer of the series.
RTÉ Investigates
Episode: First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping
Amy McComiskey
Solicitor with James McGill and Company
James McGill and Company
Episode: Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims
James McGill
Managing partner who provided legal support to the Plunkett family
James McGill and Company
Episode: Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims
Dr. Sean Nixon
Coroner for Wexford who oversaw the inquest into Elizabeth's death
Wexford Coroner's Office
Episode: Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims
Bernie Plunkett
Sister of Elizabeth Plunkett, sharing personal accounts and emotions regarding the tragedy.
Episode: Stolen Sister: 05 - The Trials
Kathleen Plunkett
Sister of Elizabeth Plunkett, discussing family dynamics and the impact of their sister's murder.
Episode: Stolen Sister: 05 - The Trials
Mela Bush
Friend of Elizabeth Plunkett, reflecting on the personal impact of Elizabeth's death.
Episode: Stolen Sister: 05 - The Trials

Hosts

Aidan O'Donovan
Co-Writer and Narrator; recurring voice in investigative storytelling.
Colm Tobin
Host and Narrator; appears across multiple investigative episodes.
Ruth Negga
Narrator and on-air presenter for several installments; strong voice in investigative storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.2k ratings
  • Wish this was a film.

    30 Acres just had me roaring with laughter. A wonderful twist from the usual (also superb) podcasts from the RTE Documentary series.

    I genuinely hope someone picks this up and makes a film from it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JonFreemanPhoto
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • FGM story is appalling. Trying to cover up FGM by unemployed African immigrant Muslim couple.

    Total garbage. A child suffers FGM and the excuse by the parents is laughable. this podcast is definitely on the side of the unemployed African immigrants. Man “I was about to go to Friday prayers” ie does not work.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Axzunhdsgur
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Stolen Sister

    What a beautiful tribute to a person that was truly loved and is still so missed. This podcast was so well done, it really touched me and I really felt the families anguish. Rest in paradise with your mum and dad Elizabeth.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jessfaz
    Australiaa year ago
  • Vital investigative journalism.

    ‘Stolen Sister’, like all the RTÉ documentaries, does very important work in investigating the case of Elizabeth Plunkett and the other women who sadly fell victim to those heinous men. It tells us the story of who these women were, honouring their memory. It also highlights the state’s failures in dealing with this case - hopefully the increased attention will lead to justice for the Plunkett family. I’m absolutely disgusted at how they were treated by the State.

    I listen to a lot of true crim... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    labonneétoile
    Irelanda year ago
  • Excellent

    lovely voice to listen to

    Very sad story heart goes out to the family

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sandylyons
    Irelanda year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the thorough, respectful storytelling and strong narration.
Some listeners debate perceived bias around state institutions or investigative angles.
Audiences appreciate rigorous research and ethical handling of sensitive cases.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#148
United Kingdom/True Crime
Spotify
#32
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#2
Ireland/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#9
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#4
Ireland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#155
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Where is Jón? - 06. The Notes
Q: How unusual is it for you to get a tip or indications like that from the general public?
It's probably unusual; in the speaker's career, they haven't encountered it before.
Where is Jón? - 06. The Notes
Q: Did it feel like you were deciding that he was dead or that you were deciding to break up?
The guest expressed that it felt more like breaking up with him, as they haven't decided he is dead yet.
Runaway Joe: 09 - Within Sight
Q: Did Joe Maloney reach out to you throughout the years?
He never tried to contact me at all after he went on the run.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pirate Predator

What is Pirate Predator about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A gripping true-crime documentary series that follows long-form investigations into miscarriages of justice, high-profile investigations, and systemic failures. Through intimate narration and meticulous archival research, episodes explore how individuals and families navigate legal systems, cultural tensions, and media attention, often highlighting underreported cases and calls for accountability. The storytelling blends personal testimony with forensic-style inquiry, delivering emotionally charged narratives about justice, truth, and resilience. A standout trait is the careful balance between empathetic storytelling and rigorous reporting, making it well-suited for listeners who crave in-depth, long-form investigative journalism.

Where can I find podcast stats for Pirate Predator?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Pirate Predator. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Pirate Predator and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Pirate Predator get?

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What are the audience demographics for Pirate Predator?

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How many subscribers and views does Pirate Predator have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Pirate Predator has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Pirate Predator?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pirate Predator:

1. Lines of Enquiry
2. Ireland Crimes and Mysteries
3. Shattered Lives
4. Documentary on One Podcast
5. Crime World

How many episodes of Pirate Predator are there?

Pirate Predator launched 6 years ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Pirate Predator?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Pirate Predator?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Pirate Predator from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Pirate Predator?

Recent guests on Pirate Predator include:

1. Mary Feehlin
2. Shane Dunphy
3. Tim Desmond
4. Amy McComiskey
5. James McGill
6. Dr. Sean Nixon
7. Bernie Plunkett
8. Kathleen Plunkett

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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