Having found out that Carrie Jade Williams never existed, we go in search of the real person behind it all, Samantha Cookes. And we go right back to where this story all began, in the West of England. Following Samantha’s life story takes us all over the UK and across the Irish sea as we begin to get inside a much bigger story than we thought possible… 
Credits: The Real Carrie Jade is written, reported and produced by Ronan Kelly. Narrated by Justine Stafford. Original music soundtrack by Fergal O'Connor. Sound designer is Ruth Kennington and the executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Production assistance by Nicoline Greer. Legal advice from Darren Lynch and Deirdre Ann Kelly. Marketing and promotions are by Maria Buckley, Amy O'Driscoll and Fiona Burke. Press and Publicity by Jilly McDonough. The designer is Niamh McKeown. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Contact us documentaries@rte.ie Episodes released weekly, each Friday.

Having found out that Carrie Jade Williams never existed, we go in search of the real person behind it all, Samantha Cookes. And we go right back to where this story all began, in the West of England. Following Samantha’s life story takes us all over the UK and across the Irish sea as we begin to get inside a much bigger story than we thought possible…&nbsp;<div> </div><div>Credits: The Real Carrie Jade is written, reported and produced by Ronan Kelly. Narrated by Justine Stafford. Original music soundtrack by Fergal O'Connor. Sound designer is Ruth Kennington and the executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Production assistance by Nicoline Greer. Legal advice from Darren Lynch and Deirdre Ann Kelly. Marketing and promotions are by Maria Buckley, Amy O'Driscoll and Fiona Burke. Press and Publicity by Jilly McDonough. The designer is Niamh McKeown. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Contact us <a href="mailto:documentaries@rte.ie" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">documentaries@rte.ie</a> Episodes released weekly, each Friday. </div>

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 documentaries@rte.ie.

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. 

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 documentaries@rte.ie.
Previous RT&Eacute; Documentary On One series include Stolen Sister, Where is J&oacute;n?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.&nbsp;

Pirate Predator

Pirate Predator tells 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 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 documentaries@rte.ie.

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. 

Pirate Predator tells 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 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/helplinesIf you have any information or knowledge about this story, please email us documentaries@rte.ie.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.&nbsp;

Doc on One Series - Pirate Predator

Having found out that Carrie Jade Williams never existed, we go in search of the real person behind it all, Samantha Cookes. And we go right back to where this story all began, in the West of England. Following Samantha’s life story takes us all over th

The Real Carrie Jade: 02 - I'm Samantha Cookes!

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 the most serious crimes against children. And then he sets his eyes on an even better cover - taking over the pirate station, Radio Dublin.

If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

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 the most serious crimes against children. And then he sets his eyes on an even better cover - taking over the pirate station, Radio Dublin.If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplinesCredits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Pirate Predator: 02 - The Innocent

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 into someone who was fast growing up into becoming a very dangerous man.



If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplines

Credits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

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 into someone who was fast growing up into becoming a very dangerous man.If you've been affected by any issues raised in this episode, please visit rte.ie/helplinesCredits: Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Pirate Predator: 01 - The Electrician

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 in the 1970s and 1980s - while on the other became one of Ireland's most prolific child sexual abusers.

If you have any information about Eamon Cooke please contact us, in confidence, at documentaries@rte.ie.

Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Previous RTÉ Documentary On One series include First Conviction, Stolen Sister, Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.

<span style="background-color: var(--color-white); font-family: var(--default-font-family,ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;);">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 in the 1970s and 1980s - while on the other became one of Ireland's most&nbsp;<span style="background-color: var(--color-white); font-family: var(--default-font-family,ui-sans-serif,system-ui,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;,&quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;);">prolific child sexual abusers.<span style="background-color: var(--color-white); font-family: var(--default-font-family,ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;);">If you have any information about Eamon Cooke please contact us, in confidence, at documentaries@rte.ie.Pirate Predator is hosted by Peter Mulryan. The series is written, recorded and produced by Peter Mulryan, Nicoline Greer, Shauna McGreevy and Liam O'Brien. Original music soundtrack is composed and performed by Alma Kelliher with Ste Carolan on guitars. Sound design is by Damian Chennells. Audio Product Support is by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design and creatives by Sorcha Kelly and Mark Hennessy. Marketing by Christopher Hayes, Maria Buckley and Hilary O'Callaghan. Promos by Liz Ivory. Publicity by Kate Smyth. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.Previous RTÉ Documentary&nbsp;On&nbsp;One series include First Conviction, Stolen Sister,&nbsp;Where&nbsp;is&nbsp;Jón?,&nbsp;The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment,&nbsp;GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.

The Real Carrie Jade: 02 - I'm Samantha Cookes!

Doc on One Series - Pirate Predator

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