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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, runs and falls. Her cries startle her parents who go to comfort her. As they pick her up, they notice she’s bleeding. Panicked, they take her to hospital - where everything begins to spiral out of control… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction  Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 daughter, they’re sitting in a police station, answering questions about what happened. It’s beginning to feel like the entire system is closing in around them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction - Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 of its kind in Ireland. They continue to say the crime never happened and hope that finally, someone will listen… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 agreeing FGM did happen, as Sayeed takes the stand to give evidence, he is confident the truth will come out… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 now placed in the care of relatives, life in prison is hard beyond belief. But they cannot give up hope - and from inside their prison cells, they begin to fight back to get justice… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 normal - but nothing about their lives is now normal. The DPP continues to pursue this case. A second trial takes place, before a third is scheduled - until the moment they’ve waited so long for, arrives - and everyone finally starts to believe them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 12th) from RTÉ Documentary On One and RTÉ Investigates. Previous series include Stolen Sister, Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Investigates airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm. If you do have any knowledge or information on this story please contact us immediately and in confidence by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] or you can leave an anonymous tip on our website www.rte.ie/firstconviction Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 entire production was made through all of those involved. Hosted by Aoife Hegarty (Deputy Editor, RTÉ Investigates), we hear from Tim Desmond (Producer, RTÉ Documentary On One), Philip Gallagher (Director, RTÉ Investigates), Pamela Fraher (Reporter, RTÉ Investigates), David Doran (Editor, RTÉ Investigates) and Liam O’Brien (Series Producer, RTÉ Documentary On One). We also hear from our host Ruth Negga and composer Mel Mercier. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The summer of 1976 brought an extraordinary three-month heatwave to Ireland. 23yr old Elizabeth Plunkett had just fallen in love and been on holiday to France. On the last weekend in August, Elizabeth headed for an overnight getaway with friends to the beach resort of Brittas Bay to mark the end of that summer. No one could have imagined what happened next… New episodes every Friday. If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected] Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday, August 28th, 1976, Elizabeth Plunkett walked out of a pub in Brittas Bay - and vanished without a trace. Over the following week, her distraught family and friends launched a frantic search, desperate for any sign of her. Though they didn’t find Elizabeth, a series of puzzling clues began to emerge. And at the same time, two suspicious men were seen lurking in the area, but within days, they too had disappeared. If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected] Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As suspicions grow around two Englishmen roaming freely around Ireland, Gardaí issue a nationwide alert for their capture. But no one knows these men have already hatched a chilling plan: to abduct, rape, and murder one woman every week. The only question now is can they be stopped before they kill again? If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected] Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the nation on high alert, two Gardaí in Galway spot and arrest Ireland’s two most wanted men. Quickly brought in for questioning, Shaw and Evans find themselves at the center of a desperate investigation. Gardaí believe Mary Duffy could still be alive, and now they need the suspects to tell them where Mary and Elizabeth are. As the interrogation unfolds, the entire country waits for news, none more so than the Plunkett and Duffy families, as they cling to hope... If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected] Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the heartbreaking recovery of both Elizabeth and Mary’s remains, the investigation’s focus sharpens. The men, isolated in solitary confinement for months, are finally brought before the courts. But things take a strange twist when Shaw and Evans, once united in their actions, now turn on each other—each blaming the other for the murders. This results in a judge deciding there’ll be four separate trials, ensuring each man faces justice for his actions individually. Shaw is the first to stand trial, accused of the murder of Mary Duffy. As the courtroom waits with bated breath, one question hangs in the air: will justice begin to be served? If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected] Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having lived over 40 years with the loss of Elizabeth, the Plunkett family are taken aback when in 2023, they’re approached by the Parole Board. John Shaw is looking to get out of prison. Elizabeth’s family are invited to submit their views on his potential release. Can they stop him from getting freedom? This process unlocks a series of events where Elizabeth's siblings begin to realise that nothing is as it seems - and that their sister is still awaiting dignity and justice… If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected] Credits: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.