Episode 1272: Mr Big's arrest, Sean McGovern's trial, and the cold case murder of Emer O'Loughlin

It’s the sex scandal that has rocked ITV and pitted two powerful presenters against a former colleague as allegations of Phillip Schofield’s relationship with a young male he first met aged 15 have been confirmed.This week as the This Morning affair deepened Schofield insisted he committed no crime and didn’t groom the teen, only beginning a relationship with him when he was 19 years old.Former colleagues Eamon Holmes and Dan Wootton however say that Schofield is ‘deluded’ or ‘lying’ and insisted a full investigation must get underway.Nicola and Niall are joined by Sunday World Features Editor Daragh Keany about the sensational fallout from behind the scenes at Britain's most popular chat show, about the narcissistic antics of some of the small screens biggest stars and about the crimes that are often exposed by cancel culture pile-ons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Juni 202347min

A tiny Iranian island known as the Pearl of the Persian Gulf has been identified as a hub for Kinahan dirty money and is where America’s Drug Enforcement Agency believe that their drug funds made their way into the hands of Hezbollah.Kish Island is part of Iran but it is also a free trade zone with lax banking practices making it attractive to the top end of organised crime.Nicola speaks to Niall Donald about Kish and it’s links to the Kinahan organisation and we discuss the changing face of Daniel Kinahan from Oliver Bond schoolboy to international drug don with a hankering for home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Juni 202346min

Evidence heard during the first court appearance of seven men charged with the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell in Tyrone last February show a complex enterprise to kill which was more personal than political.A Special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court this week heard how the thread between the men was that each had something against Mr Caldwell who has been investigating serious crime in Northern Ireland despite the fact the New IRA have claimed the shooting as a political statement.Nicola is joined by Belfast Telegraph Crime Correspondent Allison Morris to discuss the bail hearings of the group who cross the religious and political divide but who a court heard came together as each had a personal gripe with he senior police officer and his work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Maj 202326min

King of the Road Thomas Maher was handed down 14 years in prison when he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering offences after messages on his phone led police and Gardai to his supply chain which transported drugs across Europe and cash into the hands of the drug dealers.But the County Offaly trucker was dealt a further blow this week when he was ordered to pay more than €720,000 to the UK exchequer after a Proceeds of Crime Case was heard at Liverpool Crown Court in which a confiscation order was made for his house in Warrington, cars, lorries, jewellery, a number of high value watches, artwork and gold ingots bought in Dubai.Nicola is joined by Niall Donald to talk about the greedy trucker who thought he had it all but who has been left counting the costs of his life of crime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Maj 202335min

Mexican based author Ioan Grillo has worked as a crime journalist for more than 20 years in a country that is a true narco state.Over two decades interviewing drug users, hitmen, cartel bosses and the politicians who take their money, Grillo has formed a unique view on the war on drugs and all the issues around it’s failings.As a new edition of his book Blood Gun Money is published. Ioan is talking to Nicola and Niall Donald about fentanyl, a lethal iron river of firearms and a senior politician in the dock in a most unusual trial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Maj 202351min

Gardaí have officially joined the queue in a bid to talk with Italian super cartel member Raffaele Imperiale who spent years in business with mob boss Daniel Kinahan.Officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau have formally linked up with Italy's Anti Mafia Investigation Directorate and hope to be able to use information from supergrass Imperiale in future trials.Nicola speaks with journalist Eamon Dillon about the developments in the case against Kinahan and his cohorts, and about just what it means for Ireland to have a place in the line of law enforcement executives interested in what Imperiale has to say. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Maj 202327min

SERIAL killers are one of the most fascinating and spoken about facets of the true crime genre. But what makes a murderer and why are we so interested in their dark and twisted minds?Crime World's Clodagh Meaney talks to psychologist and crime commentator Emma Kenny about what makes a serial killer, what victims they prefer and her brand new live show The Serial Killer Next Door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Maj 202349min

IT was the headline that vent viral 1983 style, inspired the movies and is being celebrated by old school tabloid hacks across the world 40 years on."Headless Body in Topless Bar" was penned by the legendary New York Post editor Vincent Musetto after a cocaine fuelled crime spree by criminal Charles Dingle.Nicola is joined by journalist Brad Hunter, formerly of the New York Post, about the headline and the gruesome story behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Maj 202327min