The Hack [Assume Nothing]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Early One Morning

20250412

20250417 (RU)
20250419 (RU)
20250424 (RU)

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.

Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994.

No one has ever been charged or convicted.

Episode 1 – Early One Morning

Investigative journalist Barry McCaffrey has slept in and he's late for work. When his doorbell rings at 7am, Barry wonders if the day he's been dreading has finally arrived – are his worst fears about to come true?

A BBC Northern Ireland Production

Barry is late for work when his doorbell rings. Are his worst fears about to come true?

[LISTEN NOW]

Six Men Dead

20250412

20250417 (RU)
20250419 (RU)
20250424 (RU)

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.

Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994.

No one has ever been charged or convicted.

Episode 2 – Six Men Dead

Barry recounts the tragic events of 18th June, when a ruthless UVF gang open fire indiscriminately in the Height's Bar – killing six men, and seriously wounding five others.

When ten years pass without any charges or convictions – the families of the victims demand action.

A report into the police investigation finds serious failings, but no evidence the police tried to protect the gang from prosecution.

Then - Barry receives a leaked secret document in the post from an anonymous sender.

A BBC Northern Ireland Production

After a brutal attack, Police promise swift action to bring the killers to justice.

[LISTEN NOW]

No Stone Unturned

20250426

20250501 (RU)

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.

Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994.

No-one has ever been charged or convicted.

Episode 3 – No Stone Unturned

While a second Ombudsman investigation gets underway, journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney start work on a new documentary about the Loughinisland massacre.

When the Ombudsman's report finds elements of the police prevented a proper investigation to protect informants, Barry uses the leaked documents to unlock the identities of chief suspects – but should they name them in the film?

Readings by:

Steven Calvert

Aoibheann McCann

Antoinette Morelli

Brian Kernohan

A BBC Northern Ireland production

A documentary film uses the leaked secret documents to identify key suspects.

[LISTEN NOW]

Operation Yurta

20250426

20250501 (RU)

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.

Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994.

No-one has ever been charged or convicted.

Episode 4 – Operation Yurta

On the day of the film's Belfast premiere, police announce a new investigation – into the suspected theft of sensitive documents from the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland.

Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney are arrested nine months later and their homes and offices are searched.

While they are questioned about four offences - theft, handling stolen goods, unlawfully disclosing personal data and offences under the Official Secrets Act - their legal teams must make an urgent decision.

Readings by

Ian Davidson

Steven Calvert

Aoibheann McCann

Antoinette Morelli

A BBC Northern Ireland production

Police launch an investigation into the suspected theft of secret documents.

[LISTEN NOW]

Ex Parte V Inter Partes

20250503

Released on bail, Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney begin a legal fight to challenge the legality of the warrants. Central to their case is the question of what the judge who granted the warrants was - and wasn't - told by police.

The judgment will be viewed as a landmark ruling on the rights of journalists to protect sources; were the warrants unlawful?

A BBC Northern Ireland production

The journalists take their fight to the High Court to challenge the warrants.

The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.

[LISTEN NOW]

A Short History Of Spying

20250503

When the High Court finds the warrants were unlawful, the police investigation comes to an end. But Barry is concerned that he may have been placed under surveillance and he approaches the only court in the UK which can tell him if that's true.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal has the power to find out if he was spied on unlawfully, but rarely find in favour of claimants. Years pass with no response – then, an unexpected revelation. One that will have far-reaching consequences for journalists and multiple police forces.

Barry makes a shocking discovery about who has been watching him - and for how long.

The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.

[LISTEN NOW]

Full Disclosure

20250510

20250511 (RU)

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.

Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994.

No-one has ever been charged or convicted.

Episode 7 – Full Disclosure

Barry and Trevor prepare for a rare public hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – but last minute disclosures from police forces across the U.K bring repeated adjournments – and raise serious questions about how wide the net of surveillance against journalists has been cast.

A BBC Northern Ireland production

As the hearing approaches, a wide web of surveillance is revealed.

The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.

[LISTEN NOW]

Who Watches The Watchmen

20250510

20250511 (RU)

The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland.

Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994.

No-one has ever been charged or convicted.

Episode 8 – Who Watches the Watchmen

As the dust settles on a historic judgement by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – Barry and Trevor say their fight is not yet over, demanding a full public inquiry to reveal the full extent of surveillance.

Can a wide-ranging review of surveillance powers commissioned by the Chief Constable of the PSNI provide answers - and can a balance between national security legislation and the need for transparency ever truly be achieved?

A BBC Northern Ireland Production

In the aftermath of the judgement, what comes next

The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Early One Morning	20250412	20250417 (RU) 20250419 (RU) 20250424 (RU)	The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 1 – Early One Morning Investigative journalist Barry McCaffrey has slept in and he's late for work. When his doorbell rings at 7am, Barry wonders if the day he's been dreading has finally arrived – are his worst fears about to come true? A BBC Northern Ireland Production Barry is late for work when his doorbell rings. Are his worst fears about to come true? [LISTEN NOW]
02	Six Men Dead	20250412	20250417 (RU) 20250419 (RU) 20250424 (RU)	The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 2 – Six Men Dead Barry recounts the tragic events of 18th June, when a ruthless UVF gang open fire indiscriminately in the Height's Bar – killing six men, and seriously wounding five others. When ten years pass without any charges or convictions – the families of the victims demand action. A report into the police investigation finds serious failings, but no evidence the police tried to protect the gang from prosecution. Then - Barry receives a leaked secret document in the post from an anonymous sender. A BBC Northern Ireland Production After a brutal attack, Police promise swift action to bring the killers to justice. [LISTEN NOW]
03	No Stone Unturned	20250426	20250501 (RU)	The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No-one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 3 – No Stone Unturned While a second Ombudsman investigation gets underway, journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney start work on a new documentary about the Loughinisland massacre. When the Ombudsman's report finds elements of the police prevented a proper investigation to protect informants, Barry uses the leaked documents to unlock the identities of chief suspects – but should they name them in the film? Readings by: Steven Calvert Aoibheann McCann Antoinette Morelli Brian Kernohan A BBC Northern Ireland production A documentary film uses the leaked secret documents to identify key suspects. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Operation Yurta	20250426	20250501 (RU)	The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No-one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 4 – Operation Yurta On the day of the film's Belfast premiere, police announce a new investigation – into the suspected theft of sensitive documents from the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland. Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney are arrested nine months later and their homes and offices are searched. While they are questioned about four offences - theft, handling stolen goods, unlawfully disclosing personal data and offences under the Official Secrets Act - their legal teams must make an urgent decision. Readings by Ian Davidson Steven Calvert Aoibheann McCann Antoinette Morelli A BBC Northern Ireland production Police launch an investigation into the suspected theft of secret documents. [LISTEN NOW]
05	Ex Parte V Inter Partes	20250503		Released on bail, Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney begin a legal fight to challenge the legality of the warrants. Central to their case is the question of what the judge who granted the warrants was - and wasn't - told by police. The judgment will be viewed as a landmark ruling on the rights of journalists to protect sources; were the warrants unlawful? A BBC Northern Ireland production The journalists take their fight to the High Court to challenge the warrants. The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes. [LISTEN NOW]
06	A Short History Of Spying	20250503		When the High Court finds the warrants were unlawful, the police investigation comes to an end. But Barry is concerned that he may have been placed under surveillance and he approaches the only court in the UK which can tell him if that's true. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal has the power to find out if he was spied on unlawfully, but rarely find in favour of claimants. Years pass with no response – then, an unexpected revelation. One that will have far-reaching consequences for journalists and multiple police forces. Barry makes a shocking discovery about who has been watching him - and for how long. The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes. [LISTEN NOW]
07	Full Disclosure	20250510	20250511 (RU)	The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No-one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 7 – Full Disclosure Barry and Trevor prepare for a rare public hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – but last minute disclosures from police forces across the U.K bring repeated adjournments – and raise serious questions about how wide the net of surveillance against journalists has been cast. A BBC Northern Ireland production As the hearing approaches, a wide web of surveillance is revealed. The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes. [LISTEN NOW]
08	Who Watches The Watchmen	20250510	20250511 (RU)	The story of two journalists who investigated an unsolved mass murder in Northern Ireland. Six men were shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the Height's Bar, Loughinisland on the 18th June 1994. No-one has ever been charged or convicted. Episode 8 – Who Watches the Watchmen As the dust settles on a historic judgement by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – Barry and Trevor say their fight is not yet over, demanding a full public inquiry to reveal the full extent of surveillance. Can a wide-ranging review of surveillance powers commissioned by the Chief Constable of the PSNI provide answers - and can a balance between national security legislation and the need for transparency ever truly be achieved? A BBC Northern Ireland Production In the aftermath of the judgement, what comes next The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes. [LISTEN NOW]