First Conviction: 06 - Limbo

First Conviction: 06 - Limbo

Author: RTÉ November 12, 2025 Duration: 29:39

Having spent two years in jail, Sayeed and Halawa are relieved when the Court of Appeal make a ruling on their case. As they return home to their children, they hope life might begin to return to normal - but nothing about their lives is now normal. The DPP continues to pursue this case. A second trial takes place, before a third is scheduled - until the moment they’ve waited so long for, arrives - and everyone finally starts to believe them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us documentaries@rte.ie or investigations@rte.ie or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconviction

Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


There's a particular kind of magic in a story told truthfully, and that's the space Documentary on One Podcast occupies. Produced by RTÉ, this isn't just a collection of audio pieces; it's a living archive of real life, capturing voices and moments from Ireland and across the globe. What you'll hear are deeply human narratives, sometimes quiet and personal, other times sweeping and historical, all crafted with a careful ear for the sounds that bring a place or a memory to life. With an astonishing library of over 1,800 documentaries stretching back to 1954, this podcast offers a unique auditory journey through decades of social change, cultural shifts, and raw human experience. It's no surprise it's garnered over 400 awards for its work. Beyond the vast archive, the team also produces compelling series like 'The Real Carrie Jade' and 'Finding Samantha', diving deep into single stories over multiple episodes. Tuning in means more than just listening; it's an immersion into the fabric of society, one meticulously recorded story at a time.
Author: Language: en-ie Episodes: 100

Documentary on One Podcast
Podcast Episodes
First Conviction: 04 - Verdict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:27
Sayeed and Halawa are facing two charges in court - an act of FGM against their daughter, and child cruelty. If found guilty, they face up to 14 years in prison. Despite all medical witnesses agreeing FGM did happen, as…
First Conviction: 03 - Trial One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:51
Having had their children under supervision and monitored by authorities for three years, and having had to sign on bail twice weekly during that time, Sayeed and Halawa finally face trial, the first of its kind in Irela…
First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:30
It’s only after four days in hospital that Sayeed and Halawa begin to understand they’re in real difficulty. No one appears to believe them. Within a week of arriving to hospital with their injured daughter, they’re sitt…
First Conviction: 01 - The Incident [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
September 2016 is where this story begins. A young married couple are at home in Dublin on a Friday morning with their two young children. Having changed her nappy, their 21 month old daughter turns, runs and falls. Her…
First Conviction: Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:10
An investigation into the case of a couple imprisoned for a crime against their child - that never happened… Publishing weekly from October 8th 2025 - a new 6-part podcast series & TV doc (Nov 12th) from RTÉ Documentary…
Stolen Sister: Bonus - Petition and Witness Accounts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:30
Over the last seven weeks we have heard from many people who have had interactions with John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Up to twenty people have provided us with accounts of attempted abductions, sightings and various inte…
Stolen Sister: 07 - A Chance for Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:22
As this series has been publishing, we’ve been contacted by many listeners, including about a dozen contacts from people who are new witnesses to events around Ireland in September 1976 - and who it appears could have be…
Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
Having lived over 40 years with the loss of Elizabeth, the Plunkett family are taken aback when in 2023, they’re approached by the Parole Board. John Shaw is looking to get out of prison. Elizabeth’s family are invited t…
Stolen Sister: 05 - The Trials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:27
With the heartbreaking recovery of both Elizabeth and Mary’s remains, the investigation’s focus sharpens. The men, isolated in solitary confinement for months, are finally brought before the courts. But things take a str…
Stolen Sister: 04 - Confessions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:02
With the nation on high alert, two Gardaí in Galway spot and arrest Ireland’s two most wanted men. Quickly brought in for questioning, Shaw and Evans find themselves at the center of a desperate investigation. Gardaí bel…