Stolen Sister | RTÉ Radio Player – YouTube

– Sisters of Elizabeth Plunkett, who was murdered by Ireland’s first serial killers, speak for this first time in nearly 50 years 

– Series hosted by Roz Purcell 

On 28th August 1976, 23-year-old Elizabeth Plunkett met friends for a night away in Brittas Bay, County Wicklow. When Elizabeth waved goodbye to her mother that afternoon, nobody knew that it would be the last time her family would see her. Later that night, she was abducted and brutally raped and murdered by Ireland’s first serial killers – John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans – who had recently been released from prison.

A month after Elizabeth was attacked her body washed up on a beach in County Wexford. Following a nationwide manhunt, her attackers were both arrested but not before they killed a second Irish woman, 23-year-old Mary Duffy. The two murderers Shaw and Evans received life sentences in prison. However, in 2022 the Plunkett family learned that Elizabeth never got justice. No one was ever convicted of the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett despite both men confessing to her murder.

Now Elizabeth’s family are breaking the silence that they’ve held for almost 50 years. Through RTÉ’s latest podcast series, Stolen Sister, presented by Roz Purcell, Elizabeth’s siblings – Bernie and Kathleen – are speaking out. This is the first time that any of Elizabeth’s family have spoken about her death publicly. They’re determined to get justice for her and restore some dignity to Elizabeth’s memory.

Documentary maker Nicoline Greer said: “It’s been an honour to be able to tell Elizabeth’s story and for the Plunkett family to have trusted us to tell it. When Kathleen and Bernie first came to us, I never could have imagined how far this story would take us. Over the last year, I feel I have come to know Elizabeth and I hope that this series can go some way to restoring some justice and dignity to Elizabeth and the Plunkett family.” 

The first episode of RTÉ Podcast Stolen Sister is available now on the RTÉ Radio Player and wherever you listen to your podcasts. Episodes will drop every Friday and will broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 at 6.30pm on Friday evenings.  

Anyone with information on Elizabeth’s story should contact: documentaries@rte.ie

The soundtrack to Stolen Sister was composed by Academy Award winning composer Stephen Warbeck and was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Listen to the first episode of the podcast series now:  https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/series/42908-stolen-sister/

ENDS 

Date: Friday 30 May

RTÉ Communications:  Sarah Neville

Notes to the Editor: 

Previous podcast series from RTÉ Documentary on One include: Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.

Credits:

Stolen Sister is hosted by Roz Purcell. It’s written and produced by Nicoline Greer. Production assistance is by Shauna McGreevy.

Original music soundtrack is performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording is 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.

Sales by Graeme Bailey.

Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.

Dragon Hearts– RTÉ documentary follows cancer survivors united through the powerful sport of dragon boat racing

Monday June 2nd, 6.30pm on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player

Preview: Dragon Hearts | RTÉ

Dragon Hearts, an inspiring and emotional documentary following members of Ireland’s dragon boat racing community, brought together not just by sport, but by their shared experience with cancer will air on Monday June 2nd, 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

The programme was due to air last month but was rescheduled due to the death of Pope Francis.

From Dublin to Donegal, Sligo to Cork, the documentary meets men and women who have turned adversity into strength, paddling not just for victory but for survival. Dragon Hearts captures their passion, pain, joy and resilience across a full season of training and racing. What sets these paddlers apart is that every paddler has been touched, directly or indirectly, by cancer. 

“People can tell you many things about living and dying, but when you are faced with it, the majority of people will say ‘let me live’. And I choose to live.” 

Mark O’Connor is one of the founding members of the Cork Dragon Boat Club, a club with a difference. His words are echoed by hundreds of dragon boat club members all over Ireland; men and women who, week in week out, take to the lakes, rivers and sea to participate in a truly unique sport. Ordinary people brought together in the worst of circumstances, now bonded in competitive camaraderie by this unique sport, each share their stories.

Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport with over 2000 years of history, but it is now also one of the fastest-growing water sports worldwide. The sport was trialed by researchers in Canada in the 1990’s as a treatment for breast cancer survivors; the sport was shown to boost upper-body strength in breast cancer patients and survivors and, as a result, to improve their psychological wellbeing and overall medical outcomes.

In Ireland, the first dragon boat club was set up in 2010 in Dublin. Dragon Hearts introduces viewers to members of the Plurabelle Paddlers, who first brought the sport to Ireland. The documentary also features members of some of the clubs the Plurabelle Paddlers have supported nationally over the past decade, including the Carlow Warriors, Medb’s Dragon Warriors in Sligo, the Gráinne Mhaol Dragon Boat Club in Mayo, and the Donegal Dragons. Men and women from each of these clubs offer an insight into a season of training and racing during the documentary.

As they battle it out at events around the country, Dragon Hearts chronicles their triumphs and tribulations, capturing moments of joy, pain, loss, and victory as they train tirelessly, compete fiercely, and support one another. Each stroke of the paddle carries meaning, not just in the physical sense, but as a marker of each paddler’s individual battle with breast cancer.

Dragon Hearts will air on Monday June 2nd, 6.30pm on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player. 

-ENDS- 

RTÉ Communications: Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

2FM is hitting the road this summer, broadcasting live from Ireland’s biggest music festivals, starting with Forbidden Fruit this June Bank Holiday weekend. From Kilmainham to Glendalough, Waterford and Stradbally, 2FM will be bringing live shows, top-tier music and all the behind-the-scenes festival vibes directly to listeners nationwide.

The summer festival tour includes:

• Forbidden Fruit– 31 May & 1 June
• Beyond The Pale– 13–15 June
• All Together Now– 31 July–3 August
• Electric Picnic– 29–31 August

The action kicks off this weekend at Forbidden Fruit 2025, where 2FM returns with its renowned 2FM Rising Stage, showcasing a massive lineup of emerging Irish talent. Expect high-energy live broadcasts from 12–6pm each day. Demi Isaac and Mikey O’Reilly will get the party started each day at 12pm, followed by Emma Power and Graham Smyth live from 3pm, keeping the vibes going into the evening.

Helen Galgey and Benny Bracken, 2FM’s roving reporters, will be on the ground all weekend, capturing backstage moments, surprise encounters, and festival fun. Performing live on the 2FM Rising Stage will be standout acts including Shiv, DJ Wax, Dave Treacy, MOIO, Pastiche, Bold Love and more — a lineup not to be missed.

Next up, 2FM heads to the scenic surroundings of Glendalough for Beyond the Pale. Tune in on Friday, 13 June, where Tracy Clifford will be kicking things off from 12pm featuring more music, interviews, and festival highlights.

The summer tour continues with a live presence at All Together Now in Waterford, before culminating at Electric Picnic in Stradbally — where 2FM will once again be at the heart of the action. More details on the full broadcast schedule for All Together Now and Electric Picnic will be revealed later in the summer.

RTÉ 2FM is the most popular radio station in the country for 15 to 34-year-olds with a share of 11.3%.

Stay tuned to 2FM all summer long for live music, exclusive interviews, and the best of Irish festival culture.

ENDS

Date: 29 May 2025

RTÉ Communications: Caoilinn Putti

Notes to Editor:

Forbidden Fruit 2FM Rising Stage – Schedule

Saturday – 31 May
Sweetlemondae
Essiray
Bold Love
Celaviedmai
Fortune Igiebor
MOIO
Dj Wax

Sun – 1 June        
Annie Dog
Negro Impacto
F3MIII
Cliffords
Shiv
Pastiche
Dave Treacy

This summer, RTÉ, in collaboration with Ireland’s vibrant independent production sector, is proud to unveil an exciting summer season of distinctive content created especially for Ireland’s youngest citizens. As part of RTÉ’s ongoing commitment to deliver unique Irish programming that informs, entertains, and inspires, five new and continuing enchanting children’s series will begin across RTÉjr and RTÉ Player this May, June and July. These fun offerings promise magical adventures, heartfelt storytelling, and engaging educational experiences, all rooted in Irish culture and creativity.

• Get ready for bedtime with a soothing new bedtime series Beddybyes. 
• Blending live-action puppetry and incredible wildlife footage, Séamus Goes Wild is a charming new children’s series bringing little ones on a journey into the world of Irish natural history.
• Sparks –RTÉjr has commissioned 7 short original Irish animations based on the theme ‘School’s Out’ to feature across RTÉjr, RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player launching this June 2025.
• New adventures await for Maddie and her loyal guide dog, Triggs in award-winning animation Maddie + Triggs.
• Brand new series of the delightful Fia’s Fairies. 
  

Created by the award-winning JAM Media, BeddyByes is a cosy, colourful escape for little dreamers, designed specifically to take young children on a gentle journey that reinforces the familiar evening to bedtime routine. Join best friends MeMo and BaBa as they journey across the magical Planet BeddyByes, meeting fantastical beings that encourage good nutrition, mindfulness and creativity.

Launching on RTÉjr on June 7, with 10 episodes available early from May 31 on RTÉ Player. 

Séamus Goes Wild – Séamus is a cheeky, curious little farm dog with a nose for adventure. While Farmer Lily and the animals at Glenmore Farm try to keep him on task, Séamus can’t resist sneaking off to explore the wild beyond the gate. From the woods to the coasts, Séamus dives headfirst into nature, meeting all kinds of wild and wonderful creatures – pine martens, foxes, kingfishers, minibeasts, deer and more. Every episode is a new discovery, packed with fun, friendship, and furry surprises.

Directed by Julian Hills and produced by GMarsh TV for RTÉjr, Séamus Goes Wild is a joyful celebration of curiosity, nature, and the magic just beyond the hedgerow.

All episodes of Séamus Goes Wild streaming now on RTÉjr and RTÉ Player. 

Launching on 9 June across RTÉjr, RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, Sparks – School’s Out is a vibrant collection of seven short original Irish animations, each offering a unique take on the theme of school ending.

From robot classrooms and shifting seasons to the quiet loneliness of a school caretaker after the final bell, these bite sized stories capture the joy, curiosity, and unexpected emotions that come with the start of summer.

Commissioned by RTÉjr, Sparks – School’s Out is a playful and poignant celebration of imagination, transition and everything in between. The series includes:

Droid Academy directed by Will Sliney and produced by PioneerTown Productions.
No Worries! directed by Chris Dicker and produced by D11 Stories.
Points of Shoe directed by Jamie Mills and produced by Flickerpix.
Pals directed by Tom Getty and produced by Taunt.
Little One directed by Avery Angle and produced by Little Moon.
The Caretaker directed by Leticia Agudo and produced by Wackala.
Molly’s Myths directed by Gillian Comerford and produced by Boulder Media.

Maddie + Triggs– Join Maddie, a curious and imaginative seven-year-old with a vision impairment and her playful labradoodle Triggs as they turn everyday sounds into big adventures. Whether it’s the hum of a hoover or the splash of rain, this dynamic duo finds music and magic in the world around them.

Set in the colourful town of Higgledy-Piggledy, Maddie + Triggs is a heartwarming celebration of friendship, sound and seeing the world a little differently.

Maddie + Triggs returns with brand-new episodes from July 21 on RTÉjr and RTÉ Player. 

Fia’s Fairies is back.

Produced by Little Moon Animation, this award-winning preschool series returns with 24 enchanting new episodes that sprinkle a little more wonder into homes across Ireland.

Beloved by children and parents alike, Fia’s Fairies celebrates kindness, curiosity, teamwork and a love of language, both in English and as Gaeilge. After winning the Preschool Audience Choice Award at the 2022 Irish Animation Awards and stealing hearts across the country.

Brand new episodes on RTÉjr every Monday at 8:00am, repeated at 5:25pm, with all episodes streaming on RTÉ Player. Let the magic continue!  
Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content RTÉ said, “It’s summertime on RTÉjr and to celebrate, we’ve loads of fun filled series for our youngest viewers!   In Séamus Goes Wild, RTÉjr’s favourite adventurous puppy dog is getting outside and introducing us all to the farm animals and wildlife that live near his farm.  Fia, Ameer, Bláithín & Cuán are back for more adventures on Fairy Island with brand new episodes of  Fia’s Fairies, a really great way to learn Irish while having fun with Fia & the gang! Our animated shorts scheme Sparks, fizzles onto your screens with 7 brand new short films all based around the theme of ‘School’s Out’ and the ever-popular Maddie +Triggs is back with brand new episodes just in time for you to enjoy over the summer break. Last but by no means least we are thrilled to welcome Beddybyes to RTÉjr.  In this wonderfully soothing, gentle bedtime series, designed specifically to mirror young children’s bedtime routines, we meet MeMo, BaBa, Grandma Leeba, the Tweeties and the Yummies, for some adorable bedtime adventures, truly the perfect series to drift off to sleep with. We hope you enjoy!’’ 

A safe space for young people to watch native content, RTÉjr offers programmes which are ad-free and available in Safe Mode on RTÉ Player. Watch all these series on RTÉjr and RTÉ Player throughout this summer.
-ENDS- 
NOTES TO EDITOR:

Séamus Goes Wild is directed by Julian Hills and the series was produced by GMarsh TV for RTÉjr. The series was filmed on location in Mayo.

Fia’s Fairies is Produced by Little Moon Animation, the series is supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, RTÉjr, Coimisiún na Meán and the Government of Ireland through the Section 481 film incentive.

Beddybyes is produced by JAM Media.

Maddie + Triggs is produced by Turnip + Duck who recently won four awards at 2025 Irish Animation Awards.

Sparks – School’s Out features productions from PioneerTown Productions, D11 Stories, Flickerpix, Taunt, Little Moon, Wackala and Boulder Media.

RTÉ Communications: Tara O’Leary and Sharon Sorohan

Debbie Brophy has been crowned the winner of Super Garden 2025. The garden design challenge, now in its 16th series, has once again showcased the extraordinary talents of aspiring designers from across the country. Debbie, from Laois but based in Kildare, impressed the judges with her ‘bee happy’ wildlife garden, inspired by a honeybee colony that moved into her own garden last year.  

The final episode of this season of Super Garden aired this evening (Tuesday 27 May 2025) on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and Debbie was announced as the winner. She will have her garden exhibited at Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s premier garden festival this June bank holiday weekend.  

Speaking on her win Debbie said: “It’s an immense feeling; there will be a hundred thousand people coming to see our garden and it means the world”. 

Kerrie Gardiner, Show Garden Manager for Bord Bia Bloom and Chief Judge of Super Garden, praised Debbie Brophy following her victory in the competition. “Debbie is a very worthy winner of Super Garden 2025. She truly delivered for the homeowner, creating the ‘Bee Happy Garden’ filled with colour and family-friendly elements that also encourage pollinators and biodiversity. There was great attention to detail in the garden bespoke insect hotels, and the water butt harvesting waster from the pergola roof all contributing to promoting environmental sustainability. The design further includes engaging play areas and interactive installations that foster creativity and outdoor learning for the younger member of the family. Overall, the garden reflects the personality and desires of the homeowners, making it a well-rounded design delivery.” 

This year’s competition brought five innovative designers to Baker Hall in Navan, County Meath, in homes built by Glenveagh homes with the support of Meath County Council and the Land Development Agency through the Affordable Housing Scheme. Five households had their gardens transformed but only one garden could make it to Bord Bia Bloom. 

Super Garden judge Brian Burke, representing Woodie’s said: “People often ask me what makes a winning design in Super Garden. The answer is that it is a combination of things – originality, flow, dynamism, interesting plant combinations, strong built elements, an eye on sustainability, a full and faithful response to the homeowner’s requirements. This year Debbie provided all of those things, and more.” 

Super Garden judge Monica Alvarez, representing Dulux Exteriors said: “We have seen good quality in this year’s Super Garden designs. Each design was different and had a strong theme. It was refreshing to see designers willing to take risks by creating unconventional designs. Debbie’s garden makes a perfect addition to Bloom, having demonstrated her ability to carry out good quality work and produce a garden with a strong message. I am very proud of what she has created.” 

Super Garden judge and Horticulture Manager at Bord Bia Carol Marks said: “This garden designer is a deserving winner of Super Garden 2025. While all the designers are to be commended for the beautiful spaces they have created for their homeowners, Debbie has created a magical space perfectly aligned with the owner’s brief. The design encompasses all the elements contained in her original brief and brings surprises at every turn. She has delivered a garden with nature in mind, relaxing spaces for enjoyment and reflection for the adults, and a perfectly imagined play space that can evolve with changing needs.” 

The other garden designs featured in Season 16 of Super Garden were:

• Jorge Aragon Cano’s ‘Failte Fiesta’ garden
• Eileen Sung’s ‘New Beginnings’ garden
• Chris Walsh’s ‘Culinary Canopy’ garden
• Rosie Alabaster’s garden inspired by WB Yeats’ ‘Lake Isle of Innisfree’ poem

All episodes of Series 16 of Super Garden are streaming now on RTÉ Player.

Super Garden is produced by Vision Independent Productions and is proudly sponsored by Woodie’s and Dulux Exteriors.

Bloom, a special programme on the annual garden showcase, will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Thursday 29 May at 7pm. Join Áine Lawlor and Marty Morrissey as they present from Bord Bia’s Bloom in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

ENDS 

RTÉ Communications: Sarah Neville

RTÉ will meet with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport on Wednesday 28th May, 2025.

The Committee identified a number of different topics that they would like to discuss with RTÉ,which are addressed in the opening statement from the Director-General of RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst.

This statement has been provided to the Committee along with other materials.

You can read the opening statement here.

RTÉ is pleased to announce the appointment of Hugh Ormond to the new role, Head of Podcasting, following an internal competition. 

In this pivotal role to the delivery of RTÉ’s New Direction Strategy, Hugh will lead and shape the development of RTÉ’s podcast strategy and oversee the production and distribution of podcasts across a wide range of genres, from news and current affairs to entertainment, sports, drama, Irish language and arts & culture.

As the senior creative lead with overall responsibility for the development and editorial management of RTÉ’s podcast portfolio he will work closely with RTÉ’s audio, video and online teams of content creators across the organisation to anticipate changing audience needs and cultivate new opportunities.

Hugh Ormond has a wide range of programme-making experience in senior roles across RTÉ, commercial broadcasting and the independent production sector.

He has worked in current affairs, entertainment, documentaries, and comedy, most recently serving as Editor of RTÉ Investigates and Claire Byrne Live. Previously a series producer on some of RTE’s most prominent radio shows, he also produced the satirical TV Series Irish Pictorial Weekly and was producer of the Breakfast Show with Eamon Dunphy on Newstalk.

Speaking about Hugh’s appointment RTE’s Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan said, “We have ambitious plans to expand our digital audio portfolio and are delighted to have Hugh on board to spearhead the development and delivery of our podcast strategy. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and a track record for editorial innovation which will be invaluable as we develop a new suite of digital content in line with audience needs as we prepare to launch the new Audio App.”

Hugh Ormond said, “It’s a great privilege to be appointed RTÉ’s first Head of Podcasting. This is an incredible job to take on at this point in RTÉ’s development. Doc On One has led the way for RTÉ podcasting in recent years by producing a succession of world class audio series. We have a great opportunity now to build on this success by significantly increasing and broadening our podcasting offering. There are amazingly talented people across RTÉ and the independent sector, and I’m looking forward to working with them to grow our slate of podcasts.”

ENDS

For information: Neil O’Gorman | Corporate Communications Manager, RTÉ | E: neil.ogorman@rte.ie

In an email to RTÉ staff this evening, RTÉ Director General stated as follows:

Dear colleagues,

RTÉ’s VEP 2025 is now closed. I can confirm that we received a total of 325 applications.

As you know, this VEP comprises a Voluntary Severance (VS) and Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme and was open to employees who will have completed at least two years’ continuous service on the date their employment ceases.

Applications will be approved only where a robust business case is made, and it is confirmed that the role can be suppressed or that equivalent savings can be made by suppressing an alternative post and/or redeploying an employee into that role.

Applicants can choose to accept or decline an offer of VS or VER.

Where decisions are straightforward and approved by RTÉ’s Leadership Team and the RTÉ Board’s Remuneration and Management Committee, we will make every effort to allow these people leave the organisation as early as is practical, without unduly impacting our operations.

All applications will go through a five-stage review process throughout the coming months, as previously outlined, with final decisions on all applications being made by the Leadership Team and final oversight by the RTÉ Board’s Remuneration and Management Committee.

Review of applications has already commenced.

While there may be exceptions, communication of final decisions will commence from 1st September, with exits of successful applicants taking place on 31st October, 30th November and 31st December.

Thanks,
Kevin

KEVIN BAKHURST
DIRECTOR-GENERAL