A hush-hush factory opening. No photographs allowed. A story of cover-ups, corporate espionage, fightbacks – and death ...In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia doesn’t know it when she starts out, but her subsequent investigation into this company, Turner and Newall, will take her from a small town in Northern Ireland across the Irish Sea to places like Rochdale, Leeds and London. It will bring her to one million documents released for a transatlantic trial – papers which show cover-ups and even corporate espionage. The product, of course, is asbestos. You may think you know the story – it’s a dangerous substance.But Ophelia marries previous journalistic investigations to new documents which reveal what government agencies knew about its risks, and when. She combs through company correspondence which the manufacturers claimed did not exist, and clearly never imagined would become public.
This is the story of Killer Dust, from mountains of the material in mines still operating in countries today, to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, and the terraced streets of the north of England. It is the story too of the people who fought and died for the truth to expose the reckless pursuit of profit in the making of one of the most dangerous building materials on the planet. Presenter/ Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
--------
14:16
2. Burying Evidence
An unmarked grave – and missing documents. What do the authorities know?In this series, casually scanning old newspaper archives, Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” The newspaper was printed in 1967. “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory. “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” What, she wonders, is this factory making? Ophelia doesn’t know it when she starts out, but her subsequent investigation into this company, Turner and Newall, will take her from a small town in Northern Ireland across the Irish Sea to places like Rochdale, Leeds and London. It will bring her to one million documents released for a transatlantic trial – papers which show cover-ups and even corporate espionage. The product, of course, is asbestos. You may think you know the story – it’s a dangerous substance.But Ophelia marries previous journalistic investigations to new documents which reveal what government agencies knew about its risks, and when. She combs through company correspondence which the manufacturers claimed did not exist, and clearly never imagined would become public.
This is the story of Killer Dust, from mountains of the material in mines still operating in countries today, to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, and the terraced streets of the north of England. It is the story too of the people who fought and died for the truth to expose the reckless pursuit of profit in the making of one of the most dangerous building materials on the planet. Presenter/ Producer: Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
--------
14:49
Episode 1: Death Becomes Him
Doctor John Bodkin Adams enters the frame. A Northern Irish doctor with a foreboding personality, and big aspirations to go with it. Life in Eastbourne as a GP is sweet, but when the unexpected death of patient ‘Bobbie Hullett’ sparks a mysterious phone call to police, everything changes.
What has been happening behind closed doors of Dr Adams’ visits?
Presented by Vinny Hurrell.
Produced, edited and mixed by Vinny Hurrell.
The Executive Editor is Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland Production
--------
19:42
Episode 2: A Fatal Practice
Death, death and more death. A high profile arrest shines a spotlight on some surprising goings on among Eastbourne patients. Brash and determined ‘Detective Superintendent Herbert Hannam’ is assigned to the case. Hannam is consumed by the investigation with his complete focus locked into uncovering what he can, about Dr Adams. But will he get more than he bargained for? Heroin, morphine, barbiturates. Lashings of drugs, readily consumed by elderly rich patients.
Details of the treatment and death of many well-to-do Eastbourne patients, come to light.
Presented by Vinny Hurrell.
Produced, edited and mixed by Vinny Hurrell.
The Executive Editor is Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland Production
--------
22:28
Episode 3: Echoes of Trust
A clear picture emerges of how deeply entrenched in the lives of his patients, the ‘good doctor’ was. Was this all-consuming trust and care, or something much more sinister? Can Doctor John Bodkin Adams, convince his patients to do anything he commands? A common pattern in diagnosis starts to emerge and DS Hannam believes he has uncovered the driving force behind many of Doctor Adams’ decisions.
But, has the detective superintendent misjudged John’s motives?
Presented by Vinny Hurrell.
Produced, edited and mixed by Vinny Hurrell.
The Executive Editor is Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland Production
![Podcast Gangster](https://nz.radio.net/podcast-images/175/gangster2.jpeg?version="f98cbdfc9fd519e618e807d1da2515bc")
New Zealand