10 episodes

Adrian Dunbar narrates a story about a time in Ireland when nothing was quite what it seemed.

Obscene: The Dublin Scandal BBC Radio 5 Live

    • News
    • 4.5 • 27 Ratings

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Adrian Dunbar narrates a story about a time in Ireland when nothing was quite what it seemed.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires macOS 11.4 or higher

    Welcome to Obscene: The Dublin Scandal

    Welcome to Obscene: The Dublin Scandal

    Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar narrates Obscene: The Dublin Scandal, a seven-part series about a bizarre moment in Irish history.
    In the summer of 1982, two seemingly random killings occurred within the space of days, sparking Ireland’s biggest manhunt. The smartly-dressed suspect, Malcolm MacArthur, was eventually found hiding in the home of Ireland’s Attorney General.
    His trial lasted seven minutes, and after spending 30 years behind bars, MacArthur can now be seen wandering the streets of Dublin.
    Featuring contributions from award-winning Irish novelist Colm Toibin (Brooklyn), The Irish Times’ Fintan O’Toole, and veteran broadcaster Olivia O’Leary, this series revisits the political fallout that ensued, and tackles the many unanswered questions surrounding this case.

    • 3 min
    Episode 1: Man in a Dickie Bow

    Episode 1: Man in a Dickie Bow

    Two seemingly random killings and a smartly-dressed assailant shock Ireland in the summer of 1982.
    Warning: This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence and some strong language.
    --
    CREDITS:
    Narrated by Adrian Dunbar
    Written by Paul Walker
    Archive producer: Declan Smith
    Music: Jeremy Warmsley
    Mix engineer: Peregrine Andrews
    Development producer: Satiyesh Manoharajah
    Development researcher: Christian Dametto
    Creative director: Georgia Moseley
    Assistant producer: Tess Davidson
    Series Producer: Eamon O’Connor
    Assistant Commissioner: Natalie Mace
    Executive Producer: Paul Smith
    Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins
    Obscene: The Dublin Scandal is a BBC Studios Podcast production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

    • 23 min
    Episode 2: Manhunt

    Episode 2: Manhunt

    The police launch Ireland’s biggest manhunt for the suspect. Tip offs lead to an unexpected location.
    Warning: This episode contains some violence.
    --
    CREDITS:
    Narrated by Adrian Dunbar
    Written by Paul Walker
    Archive producer: Declan Smith
    Music: Jeremy Warmsley
    Mix engineer: Peregrine Andrews
    Development producer: Satiyesh Manoharajah
    Development researcher: Christian Dametto
    Creative director: Georgia Moseley
    Assistant producer: Tess Davidson
    Series Producer: Eamon O’Connor
    Assistant Commissioner: Natalie Mace
    Executive Producer: Paul Smith
    Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins
    Obscene: The Dublin Scandal is a BBC Studios Podcast production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

    • 23 min
    Episode 3: Whatever it is, you are on your own

    Episode 3: Whatever it is, you are on your own

    Who is Malcolm MacArthur, the suspected killer found hiding in the Attorney General’s home?
    Warning: This episode contains some violence.
    __
    CREDITS:
    Narrated by Adrian Dunbar
    Written by Paul Walker
    Archive producer: Declan Smith
    Music: Jeremy Warmsley
    Mix engineer: Peregrine Andrews
    Development producer: Satiyesh Manoharajah
    Development researcher: Christian Dametto
    Creative director: Georgia Moseley
    Assistant producer: Tess Davidson
    Series Producer: Eamon O’Connor
    Assistant Commissioner: Natalie Mace
    Executive Producer: Paul Smith
    Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins
    Obscene: The Dublin Scandal is a BBC Studios Podcast production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

    • 24 min
    Episode 4: The Right Man

    Episode 4: The Right Man

    Murder and politics collide as Charles Haughey, the Irish Prime Minister, attempts to clear the air with a disastrous press conference.
    __
    CREDITS
    Narrated by Adrian Dunbar
    Written by Paul Walker
    Archive producer: Declan Smith
    Music: Jeremy Warmsley
    Mix engineer: Peregrine Andrews
    Development producer: Satiyesh Manoharajah
    Development researcher: Christian Dametto
    Creative director: Georgia Moseley
    Assistant producer: Tess Davidson
    Series Producer: Eamon O’Connor
    Assistant Commissioner: Natalie Mace
    Executive Producer: Paul Smith
    Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins
    Obscene: The Dublin Scandal is a BBC Studios Podcast production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

    • 28 min
    Episode 5: Four Courts, Seven Minutes

    Episode 5: Four Courts, Seven Minutes

    The surprising outcome of Malcolm MacArthur’s trial only adds to a growing sense of suspicion in Ireland.
    Warning: This episode contains some strong language.
    __
    CREDITS:
    Narrated by Adrian Dunbar
    Written by Paul Walker
    Archive producer: Declan Smith
    Music: Jeremy Warmsley
    Mix engineer: Peregrine Andrews
    Development producer: Satiyesh Manoharajah
    Development researcher: Christian Dametto
    Creative director: Georgia Moseley
    Assistant producer: Tess Davidson
    Series Producer: Eamon O’Connor
    Assistant Commissioner: Natalie Mace
    Executive Producer: Paul Smith
    Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins
    Obscene: The Dublin Scandal is a BBC Studios Podcast production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
27 Ratings

27 Ratings

Melreyno ,

Gripping

Sad and strange story about an unusual criminal and a cover up at the heart of it all.
Great journalism.
Awesome narrative with Adrian Dunbar. A huge fan.
I’m from south side Dublin so this was a trip down memory lane which was nice.
BBC podcasts never let me down.

StopppBrexxxitttt ,

Very good podcast

As someone not Irish I find this podcast fascinating - very interesting topic and superbly made.
Also - the music is really good.

plumbeum ,

Enlightening

As an Irish abroad, born in Cork 1970, I’ve listened to these and how enlightening this longer view of Irelands’ attitudes to sexuality has shaped the law and politics. Ireland today appears comparably utopian given such a shameful past.

As ever the BBC has presented a well researched, fully informed, unbiased account -thank you.

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