Pod Insights British Scandal The IRA Heiress | The Heist | 3 About this episode The police are after Rose. Her face is all over the papers. If authorities are going to try and stop her, Rose is determined to use whatever time she has left wisely. It’s time to stage Ireland’s biggest ever art heist.
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0:00 Alice Levine? Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of British Scandal ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
0:12 Alice Levine? Matt, I'm so excited about this British Scandal away day. Well, away weekend, wow.
0:17 Matt Forde? You are gonna love the place that I've booked.
0:20 Alice Levine? Okay, so I don't wanna be that kind of, like, pretty friend that, like, needs all the mod cons and everything, but I just thought I'd check with you kind of what the place is like.
0:28 Matt Forde? Yeah, I mean, there's no spa or hot tub or anything like that.
0:30 Alice Levine? No, no, no, that's fine.
0:31 Matt Forde? Or hot running water.
0:33 Alice Levine? There's no, there's no, there's no water, no hot water.
0:35 Matt Forde? No hot water, no. Um, but if you, you know, put it into a cup heater, it'll be your hands, then it'll be warm, won't it? Um, the beds are kind of sacks on the floor.
0:43 Alice Levine? What do you mean sacks on the floor?
0:45 Matt Forde? I think it's Hessian, hemp, quite rough, but good for your back.
0:49 Alice Levine? Or very bad for your back, yeah.
0:51 Matt Forde? Yeah, depending on, on your back.
0:52 Alice Levine? Okay, so it sounds fairly rustic.
0:55 Matt Forde? Exactly. Rustic, homely, cold, damp. So bring your inhalers.
1:00 Alice Levine? I don't usually use one, but I actually am thinking maybe I'll buy one for this trip. Okay, I, I'll be honest, I just wanna put it out there, it, it doesn't sound that nice. It's probably a no from me.
1:11 Matt Forde? Ah, there is one more thing.
1:12 Alice Levine? Okay.
1:13 Matt Forde? This might be up your street.
1:14 Alice Levine? Yeah.
1:14 Matt Forde? On the Airbnb listing, it does say it's an excellent place to harbour terrorists.
1:19 Alice Levine? It's actually just nice to have that option, isn't it?
1:21 Matt Forde? It is.
1:21 Alice Levine? Yeah, let's do it.
1:26 Alice Levine? Twenty-sixth of April, nineteen seventy-four. Rossborough House, County Wicklow. Edmund Merriweather places his Lord's polished shoes on the marble floor, adjusts the drapes that fall in perfect folds across the spotless windows, collects the silver salver and crosses the drawing room to where Lord Bite sits in a wingback chair.
1:49 Alice Levine? He pauses as Lord Bite flicks a page of his newspaper. Edmund straightens the corner of the tea tray's linen, gently clears his throat.
1:59 Alice Levine? Your tea, my lord. He places the tray on the side table. Lord Bite glances up, takes a sip. Ah, thank you, Merriweather.
2:09 Matt Forde? Always the perfect temperature. If I'm right, this is exactly how you have your breakfast brought to you in the morning. And by the description of the property, in an identical living room.
2:20 Alice Levine? Yes, although I will say that the drapes are looking a little tatty. And that is not an euphemism.
2:29 Alice Levine? Edmund inclines his head. A butler's pride, my lord. Years of service have forged an unspoken rhythm between them. Edmund takes note of the untouched sack of correspondence on the desk. The clock chiming softly in the background. The artwork lining the walls. It's a quiet life now. Far removed from the grandeur of the Byte family's heyday. But Edmund finds comfort in the routines of the house. The steadfastness of his role.
3:01 Alice Levine? A sudden knock at the front door breaks the stillness. Edmund straightens, his brow furrowing. Visitors are rare these days. He hurries across the grand lobby to the heavy oak door. He adjusts his cuffs, peeks through the narrow window, and squints as he takes in a woman on the doorstep. She glances to her left, then right, then back at a stationary car parked in front of the house.
3:30 Alice Levine? He starts to unlatch the door. Chain lock engaged, and edges it open. Can I ask you about chain locks? I think in the modern era, opening your door with a chain on, that's kind of rude.
3:43 Matt Forde? Oh, but what if you are a burglar?
3:46 Alice Levine? Are you opening your door every time with the chain on?
3:49 Matt Forde? No, I don't have a chain, but if...
3:51 Alice Levine? Just a baseball bat in hand.
3:52 Matt Forde? But I can identify with chain users.
3:56 Alice Levine? Right.
3:57 Matt Forde? I mean, you might just have your dressing gown on. You might have just got out the bath.
3:59 Alice Levine? What are you up to?
4:00 Matt Forde? I wash, daily, twice sometimes.
4:03 Alice Levine? Stop opening the door with nothing on.
4:06 Matt Forde? You're trying to make the normal people feel weird. So what are you doing then?
4:10 Alice Levine? Opening the door, "Hi, I've got all my clothes on, so have you. I'll take the parcel. Bye."
4:16 Matt Forde? Ch-ch, kablam.
4:19 Alice Levine? Is that me or them?
4:20 Matt Forde? That's you, gone. I don't want to be too bleak about this, but if I ever have to pay tribute to you...
4:31 Matt Forde? Through gritted teeth, and I say, I did tell her to not take the chain off for everyone who came around. I mean, that wouldn't be the first thing I'd say. A hugely talented and decent colleague.
4:43 Alice Levine? But I must add.
4:44 Matt Forde? It's from Mrs Levine, I'm so sorry. Today arguably isn't the right time to say this, but did she ever talk to you about the chain? Yeah, I told her the same.
4:55 Alice Levine? A woman stands in the doorway. Can I help you, madam? Her lipstick is the same brilliant shade of red as her hair. Her gestures are wild, almost frantic. Ma voiture, c'est en pain.
5:08 Matt Forde? My car is bread?
5:11 Alice Levine? He squints as he tries to make out what she's telling him. He can only catch snippets, much like you, Matt. He searches for his halting French. Pardonnez-moi, madam. Your car is broken down? Then he adds. In the drive? He stares at the vehicle. Oui, monsieur, s'il vous plaît, aidez-moi. Edmund hesitates as a rush of cold air blows through the doorway. He can't understand how the car is broken down here. She can hardly have pushed it down the drive. Who is it, Merryweather? Bite's voice cuts through the silence. A woman, sir. I think she wants to use the phone. Edmund's eyes remain fixed on the woman.
5:51 Alice Levine? She tilts her head, nods vigorously, offers him an exaggerated smile that somehow fails to reach her eyes. Very well, let her in. He slowly unlatches the chain.
6:04 Matt Forde? No, no, no.
6:08 Alice Levine? He pulls the heavy door open, but as she steps forward, the expression on her face instantly shifts. Her features harden, her smile evaporates, and her hand plunges into her coat. The crash of boots shatters the morning calm as three men charge through the open doorway. Edmund feels himself slammed backwards. On the grind! Edmund stumbles back, frozen in disbelief. He spins in horror as two more men dart past him and disappear into the house. Stop! He spins back towards the woman, but his breath catches in his throat. He stares at her wild eyes and the gun she's aiming directly at his head.
6:53 Alice Levine? To Lord Bite. Her voice is cold, unyielding. Edmund feels time start to slow. As her steely gaze pins him in place. His heart pounds in his chest as his years of loyalty flash before him. His hands tremble as he weighs his options. Is he willing to die for Lord Bite?
7:21 Speaker 02 Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of American History Tellers. In our latest series, US Army Lieutenant Adolphus Greeley and 24 other men embark on a scientific expedition to the Arctic in 1881. But despite achieving several triumphs of discovery, the men will soon face tragedy. Listen to American History Tellers on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts.
7:42 Speaker 03 Hi, I'm Candace DeLong, former FBI profiler and host of the podcast Killer Psyche. In our latest episode, we go inside the case of Krista Pike, the woman Tennessee tried to execute and failed. Listen to Killer Psyche on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts.
8:03 Alice Levine? From Wondery, I'm Alice Levine.
8:05 Matt Forde? And I'm Matt Ford.
8:06 Alice Levine? And this is British Scandal.
8:17 Alice Levine? So Matt, last episode was extremely high octane. We had Rose and her lover slash collaborator Eddie Gallagher hijacking a helicopter and trying to bomb Strabane Police Station, but they were foiled, of course, by the pilot's quick thinking. But Rose is uncowed and she's already planning her next move, this time using her breeding and knowledge of fine art to boost the IRA in a very unexpected way, which got me thinking, if you had to draw on your breeding to come up with a criminal master plan... What would that look like?
8:51 Matt Forde? Well, you have to take something of value that other people prize that is scarce or controlled. There's only one place, really, that I could thrive, given my background, and that is Toby Carvery.
9:04 Alice Levine? Definitely thought you were going to say the Houses of Parliament. Okay, go on.
9:07 Matt Forde? Because of the Toby Carvery, it's unlimited vegetables, potatoes, condiments, but only one round of meat.
9:15 Alice Levine? Mmm.
9:15 Matt Forde? I think I have the skills to get unlimited meat along with the unlimited vegetables. I will one day pull off the greatest Toby Carvery meat heist in history.
9:27 Alice Levine? Are we imagining here that you're playing different characters? Oh, the voices, of course, it just writes itself.
9:34 Matt Forde? 'Scuse me, mate, eh, ain't had any meat yet. That's the Scouse guy. And then like, 'Hawaiian man, oh, I bet you got some canny meat leak.' Like, God, all these guys, there's a family of them, they're all at the same, but they sound so different. I'm gonna have to give them the meat. That's the rules.
9:49 Alice Levine? They've grown up in different cities in the UK, inexplicably, because they're all the same age and largely of the same face.
9:55 Matt Forde? And I would scowl, I'd pull different faces. 'All right, guys, another plate of... Oh, no, not another, I ain't had a plate of meat yet.' So I get so confused, because the potatoes run low, but the meat ain't. 'Could I please have my first plate of meat, governor?'
10:09 Alice Levine? I actually can't see how it could fail. I look forward to hearing how it goes. Perhaps like Rose, you'll get a taste for it, metaphorical and literal in terms of the Carvery. This is episode three, The Heist.
10:23 Alice Levine? Three days earlier, the 23rd of April, 1974, Rosscarberry, County Cork.
10:31 Alice Levine? Eddie Gallagher pushes open the creaking door and takes in the holiday cottage that Rose has chosen. Its damp, peeling walls and outdated mismatched furniture make the place feel more like a squat.
10:44 Alice Levine? Jesus Christ, Rose. Rose shrugs. It's remote, and a good three hours from Rusprah, so... Eddie rolls his eyes. Since she's settled on her plan to rob Rusprah a house, Rose has been like a dog with a bone. I thought I asked you to leave all that for now. Your face is still all over the papers, for God's sake. The police could be on to us. All the more reason to get on with it. Eddie tries to pull her close, nuzzling his nose into her neck. Look, why don't we go take a look at the bedroom?
11:16 Matt Forde? Eddie, you old goat.
11:17 Alice Levine? But she gently pushes him away. Instead, crouches down and lays a map on the floor. Heart sinking, Eddie realises it's a sketched plan of Rusprah a house. We'll drive to Rusprah together. I'll approach the house in disguise. I'll say I'm French and that I'm having car trouble. Eddie slides a hand up her thigh. French girlie.
11:38 Matt Forde? Not now, Eddie.
11:40 Alice Levine? Jesus.
11:41 Matt Forde? God, these terrorists are so horny.
11:44 Alice Levine? Rose's cheeks flush red. It's where I learnt about art. Eddie can't help smirking. He takes in her dirty jeans, her unbrushed hair. He can't imagine Rose's childhood. I'll get the butler to let me in. That's when you storm the house. We'll tie up Sir and Lady Bite, and all the staff. Staff? Eddie's chest tightens as Rose starts calmly listing roles. The servants, uh, cook, butler. He thought it would be a quick in-and-out job.
12:15 Matt Forde? I'm not gonna.
12:17 Alice Levine? I know you are.
12:17 Matt Forde? The side-eye you gave me then.
12:21 Alice Levine? What do you mean? How many are there? I don't know, twenty, twenty-five. There's three Rubens, the Vermeer, two by Metsu. Eddie stares at her in disbelief. How the fuck am I supposed to carry twenty-five paintings while controlling a fucking household? But Rose ignores him. We'll load everything into the car, drive them back here, then call the National Gallery, negotiate our terms. Eddie's mouth is dry, his mind is racing. He likes Rose well enough, he's even started to respect her, but he's realising she's a liability. Look, it's way too big, too much. We'd need way more manpower. Rose eyes him narrowly. Then we get more men.
13:05 Alice Levine? You're not listening to me, it's not worth the risk. Rose's mouth is set in a firm line. Eddie watches as she picks up a newspaper. Two emaciated female prisoners stare back at him from the front page. Eddie recognizes the Price sisters. Two IRA women jailed in England for a bomb attack in London. They've been on hunger strike for over 150 days. The government will give us anything we want if we take these paintings. Possibly even the Price sisters.
13:39 Alice Levine? I should tell you about these two. Infamous doesn't really do them justice. The Sisters of Terror is what they were known as in the British media. Marion and Dolores Price. They were from a staunch Republican family, IRA family. Their dad heavily involved. In fact, their aunt had her hands blown off preparing grenades. So there's some parallels with Rose, not in background, but in the fact that they started in peaceful protest. And then they joined a group within the IRA known as the Unknowns. And essentially their job was to deliver suspected informers over the border to meet their fate.
14:15 Matt Forde? Oh, so that's pretty dark.
14:16 Alice Levine? Pretty dark. And then what we're hearing about here is the reason that they're in prison is that they bombed London.
14:22 Matt Forde? And quite unusual to have female terrorists.
14:26 Alice Levine? Oh, absolutely. Which is, I think, why Rose is so enamored with them. A very male-dominated organization, obviously the IRA. And so she really admired these two sisters. And their imprisonment was a real motivator for her.
14:43 Alice Levine? Eddie stares at her. Christ, Rose, how much is all this art worth? Rose pauses for effect. About eight million. And Matt, in today's money, a cool 74 mil.
14:57 Matt Forde? Oh, that's a lot of money.
15:00 Alice Levine? It's a lot of money. It's a lot of money then, it's a lot of money now. Eddie's mouth falls open. He stares at her in disbelief. Eight million? He sees her grinning and can't help but smile too.
15:15 Alice Levine? He's already made his decision.
15:20 Alice Levine? Three days later, Rusborough House, County Wicklow. Rose carefully steers the silver Ford Cortina up the long gravel driveway. She can feel Eddie and his two men eyeing her from the back of the car, dressed all in black. They've hardly said two words to her on the drive over. But she tells herself, if Eddie trusts them, that's all that matters. She takes in the imposing stately home for the first time. Austere grey with grand palatial entrance columns. She kills the engine and feels a wave of nausea. She cups her stomach. She's been having cramps all morning, but she forces herself to ignore them. It's no wonder she feels nervous. This is the first action Rose has organised.
16:05 Alice Levine? She needs it to work. She's determined to bring the establishment to its knees. To prove to the world that Ireland, the working classes, herself, refuse to be cowed.
16:19 Alice Levine? She glances in the rear-view mirror, straightens her red wig, steps out of the car. Her heels teeter on the uneven gravel. She hears the crunch of the men's footsteps behind her. Their slow, heavy breathing before they slink into the shadows as she approaches the grand double doors. She takes a breath, raises her fist, and thumps on the door.
16:45 Alice Levine? Ten seconds, fifteen. She starts to panic that no one's in. Risks a glance at the three men crouching low on either side of the entrance.
16:59 Alice Levine? Can I help you, madam? She looks up as a smartly dressed man eyes her suspiciously. She quickly fixes her face. Game time. Moments later, Rose watches as Eddie and his men charge into the house. She reaches into her coat and pulls out her pistol. Take me to Lord and Lady Bite. The man doesn't move. Now! The trembling man slowly gestures towards the study.
17:28 Alice Levine? Rose glances across the hall to where she can hear the dulcet trill of her gramophone. She edges forward, peers inside. Rose is momentarily thrown. Sir Alfred is older than she expected. He must be in his seventies. She takes in his hunched shoulders, his spotted hands. In fact, he looks rather like her father. Can I help you? Eddie storms past Rose and hauls a woman she presumes to be Lady Bight to her feet. What are you doing? Put my wife down. Who are you? Now, just to say, his wife is Clementine Mitford. We love it when all the worlds join up. So you should go back, of course, and listen to our series, Hitler's Angel, about the Mitfords.
18:13 Alice Levine? But Clementine Mitford, one of the cousins.
18:15 Matt Forde? Basically, if you're an aristocrat, you have two political choices: fascism or Irish terrorism. And you take your pick.
18:24 Alice Levine? Either way, though, leave the chain on because you will have enemies. The old man stands up stiffly. His hands shake as he tries to pull at Eddie's wrists. Deal with him. Rose tightens her grip on her pistol. Her head spins. She thinks she might be sick. Can she really hurt an old man? Rose steps forward and raises the gun. Momentarily hesitates, then brings the butt down on Sir Alfred's forehead. She recoils as the old man crumples to the carpet. Blood pours from his head. Eddie pulls Lady Bight into a different room. The old man whimpers on the floor. Please, where are you taking my wife? Rose tells herself she has to block it out.
19:08 Alice Levine? She has to focus. She binds his hands with zip ties, sees Bight's wrists start to bruise, but pulls them tight. Then she turns her attention to the paintings filling the study walls.
19:27 Alice Levine? Seconds later, Sir Alfred feels the Persian rug rough against his cheek. He blinks as he drags himself upright. His head throbs, sharp and insistent. He presses a frail bruised hand to his scalp, but his fingers come away slick and dark.
19:46 Alice Levine? He looks up at the Frenchwoman.
19:50 Alice Levine? Then he hears a blood-curdling scream from the cellar. Clemmie. Please! But the woman ignores him. Instead, her heels click against the parquet floor, quick, purposeful. Her red bob neatly brushed, her face caked in heavy makeup.
20:09 Alice Levine? He tries to control his breathing as he watches her eye and then dismiss each painting in the room. She then pauses in front of Vermeer's lady writing a letter with her maid. Her sharp expression melts into an almost childlike amazement as her eyes drink in the painting. He tracks her gaze to the image. The affluent lady leaning over her letter, the maid in a dour black dress behind her. Her face bright with sunlight, gazing out of the window, as if imagining a better life. So understated, but so beautiful. Matt, we have the benefit of the picture in front of us. People will probably more likely know Girl with the Pearl Earring is the maybe more famous Vermeer,
20:53 Alice Levine? but it's a very similar use of light. There's this gorgeous stained glass window and it really does feel like there's a genuine light source, sort of casting the room in a glow.
21:02 Matt Forde? It's amazing that with paint you can make it look so photographic. The window itself looks like a photo. How do you make paint look like that? It's incredible, isn't it? And we're just looking at it on A4 inkjet printer, quickly rushed out this morning. This isn't the oil-on-canvas original.
21:20 Alice Levine? It's almost not the best way to enjoy it. Not to do the British scandal, printer dirty, but it does feel like maybe it's lost some of its magic.
21:27 Matt Forde? Although, some comfort for Sir Alfred that in years to come, he could just print out his own copy. Keep it on him at all times.
21:34 Alice Levine? Sir Alfred's pulse quickens. He wonders if he can get through to the woman. Clearing his throat, he manages weakly. Which one are you? The lady or the maid? He sees the woman spin around in shock, stare at him for a beat. Both. Sir Alfred's surprised by her earnest tone. It's always meant a lot to me, that painting. It's been in my family for— But the woman spits back. In your gilded cage. He trails off, as he realises the woman is carefully unhooking the painting from the wall. Please, don't! He tries to pull weakly at the zip ties. She ignores a couple of 17th-century pastoral works,
22:20 Alice Levine? and then stops in front of Franz Halz, the lute player.
22:24 Alice Levine? Sir Alfred's heart sinks. This woman has done her homework.
22:31 Alice Levine? He cowers, as he hears a loud clatter from the hallway. Sir Alfred looks up to see a man dressed in black, picking a painting off the floor. Not that one! The Frenchwoman storms across the room. I'm not a fucking art dealer! Her eyes meet Sir Alfred's just for a second, before she stalks down the corridor. His chest thumps. He's alone. Panic seizes Sir Alfred. He has to do something. He takes a deep breath, and, forcing his body forwards, he inches along the floor, towards his bureau. He raises his arms, and positions his bound wrists around the corner of the desk. Slowly, painfully, he pulls open the drawer.
23:17 Alice Levine? Reaches for his letter-opening knife.
23:20 Alice Levine? Relief washes over him, as he cuts his wrists and then his ankles free. He eyes the empty corridor. At the other side of the house is an emergency alarm, linked directly to the police. Carefully, he shuffles towards the door.
23:41 Alice Levine? A few minutes later. Rose slips out of the drawing-room with two Rubens. Carefully sets them down, takes a handwritten list from her pocket, crosses them off. Her hands are damp, her heart is racing. She's secured nineteen paintings, just six more to go. Eddie shoves past her and unceremoniously stacks up the paintings. Surely, this is enough? Rose shakes her head. There's still the zarate, and— She pushes past Eddie, as she scans the walls, but then freezes.
24:16 Alice Levine? She stares through the open door to the study with wide-eyed horror. In the middle of the room, a pool of dark blood is drying on the Persian rug. But there's no sign of the old man. A chill runs through Rose's body as an alarm begins to blare across the house. Her forehead feels like it might split in two.
24:38 Alice Levine? Eddie's face is ashen. I thought I told you to deal with him! I did. Eddie backs away from her, shaking his head. This is all your fucking fault, standing around looking at paintings like you're in a fucking gallery! Rose snaps back. It'll all be for nothing if we don't get the right fucking works! It'll all be for nothing anyway if the garter show off! She tries to grab Eddie's arm, but he's already barreling towards the door. But we're so close, there's just a few more! But Eddie is already throwing open the grand double doors, his arms full of paintings. You stay if you want. Rose watches in horror as the paintings slip from Eddie's grasp, sending shards of gold leaf skittering across the marble floor. For god's sake, Eddie!
25:21 Alice Levine? She races forward, crouches down, examines the damage. The frames have taken the brunt of the impact, the artwork is still intact. Relieved, Rose tries to regain her composure. She turns to Eddie's men. Please, let's carefully take what we've got to the car.
25:40 Alice Levine? The four of them run back and forth to the house, stashing the paintings in the car boot, in the footwells, against the back seats.
25:49 Alice Levine? Rose's whole body tenses as the high-pitched incessant whining of sirens cuts into the night air. The car doors clatter shut as she sees blue lights in the distance.
26:01 Alice Levine? Eddie slams his foot on the accelerator. The Cortina careers down the winding driveway, leaving the looming stately home in its wake. Rose glances at the stacks of precious artwork. She catches Eddie's eye and smiles as he turns into an empty street. She's just pulled off the biggest art heist that Ireland has ever seen. Now, they just have to make it count.
26:28 Matt Forde? We knew she was taking a lot of paintings, but for it to be the biggest art heist in Irish history, they've taken so much from that place.
26:36 Alice Levine? Yeah, not just that, but she became an art heist influencer because she set a trend where people basically just kept robbing Rusper House for art. I shouldn't laugh, but it happens another three times. So she's sort of put the idea in people's heads. If this isn't an argument for having the print rather than the original, which is exactly why I do it, you know, I got rid of all the Picasso's, the Matisse's, they're gone. I just now have a very good reproduction.
27:02 Matt Forde? Mine are all originals, all original football posters in beautiful Snappy Slaps frames.
27:09 Speaker 04 Hey, I'm Cassie DePecce, the host of Against the Odds from Audible Originals. In each episode, we share thrilling true stories of survival, putting you in the shoes of the people who lived to tell the tale. In our latest series, we track the story of Hugh Glass, the real-life revenant that inspired the 2015 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In 1823, Glass was brutally mauled by a grizzly bear in present-day South Dakota and left for dead. His survival depended on trekking through 350 miles of wilderness alone with grave injuries. But he was driven by his thirst for revenge. Follow Against the Odds wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of Against the Odds early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
27:55 Speaker 05 You stepped out for your morning jog, except it's not your usual morning jog. You started listening to an epic sci-fi book on Audible. Thirty chapters later, you've accidentally run a half marathon. You've lost track of how far you've run, somewhere just past the city limits. You can't stop. You have to find out what happens next. Then it's over. The universe seems bigger. You feel different. You feel like you have no idea where you are. Audible: Stories That Speak to You.
28:31 Alice Levine? Twenty-seventh of April, 1974. Ross Carberry, County Cork.
28:38 Alice Levine? Rose clutches the chipped enamel toilet bowl, swears as she gasps for air between wretches. She's supposed to be calling up the National Gallery to demand the ransom: £500,000 plus the return of the Price sisters to Ireland as political prisoners. But since they got back to the cottage, she's struggled to make it out of the bathroom. She glimpses at her reflection in the mirror. Strands of her unbrushed hair are stuck to her face with sweat, and her skin has a greyish hue. She can't hide from the truth anymore. She's been getting odd cravings. She's missed her last two periods. Wiping her mouth, she shakily gets to her feet. She knows it's not just herself she needs to think about now. It's also her unborn child.
29:25 Alice Levine? Making her way downstairs, she takes in the surreal sight. Scattered about the shabby living room are portraits of fine ladies, Russian landscapes, Italian piazzas, and of course, the Vermeer.
29:40 Alice Levine? Eddie lounges on a settee, drinking whisky from a mug with his men. He moves his legs and gestures for her to join. Come on, raise a glass with us. Woman of the hour. The men cheer her. Eddie tries to push a drink into her hand. Get this, down ye. Feeling her stomach churn, she gently nudges it away. She's not told him about the pregnancy. Right now, she needs all three men to respect her as a soldier, a leader. I... I need to keep a clear head. She takes a breath and picks up the cottage's landline phone. Listens for the dial tone. Nothing. She replaces it and tries again. Dread twists her stomach. The phone is dead.
30:25 Alice Levine? She turns to Eddie. We'll have to go to the village. Use a public box. Eddie's grin fades. I'm not going up there, not with the police after us. Rose grits her teeth in frustration. Fine. I'll go on my own then. She expects Eddie to protest, but he simply shrugs. No point in the both of us getting spotted. Be careful, won't you?
30:52 Alice Levine? Rose pinches her scarf around her face and steps out into the crisp spring sunshine. Shoulders hunched, head down, she hurries down the rough farm track to a green phone box on the edge of the village. Pulling a scrap of paper from her pocket, she dials the number of the National Gallery in Dublin.
31:11 Alice Levine? Rose looks up in shock as a Norfolk terrier barks at her from behind the glass. Its owner eyes her suspiciously before pulling the dog's lead.
31:22 Alice Levine? Chest thumping, she dials the final few digits.
31:31 Alice Levine? James White, National Gallery. Rose wasn't expecting to get through so quickly. Hello, is someone there? Yes, this is... Just in time, Rose remembers her French accent. I am calling about the paintings from Ruthborough House. There's a short pause on the other end of the line. Is this a hoax? Rose tries to keep her voice steady. The paintings will be returned safely if our conditions are met. If not, they will be destroyed in ten days. James White's voice is charged with rage. Destroyed? These are priceless! Rose cuts him off. Then you better make sure the authorities do exactly as we say.
32:15 Alice Levine? We want £500,000. And for the Price Sisters to be returned to Ireland. I'll call again in 48 hours for your response. As Rose slams down the phone, excitement rushes through her body. She's never felt more powerful. She's finally the one in charge, and she isn't going to let anyone get in her way.
32:40 Alice Levine? 1st of May 1974, Strabane, County Tyrone. Superintendent Sean Feeley leans back in his desk chair. He can't remember the last time he had a decent night's sleep. It's been four months since the IRA bombing of Strabane, and three since Rose Dugdale was declared the prime suspect. But he has nothing. It's like she disappeared off the face of the earth. Hauling himself to his feet, he makes his way into the staff room. IRA have gone in an art dealing now, have they? Superintendent Feeley looks up as he spoons coffee granules into a paper cup. What's all this then? Big art heist up at Rusborough, worth millions apparently.
33:25 Alice Levine? Feeley laughs. Doubt there's millions of pounds' worth of art in the whole of Ireland. The garda shrugs and sips a cup of tea. That's what they're saying. All fronted by a woman, well educated apparently. Feeley feels his whole body tense. A woman?
33:41 Alice Levine? The officer turns to stare at him. Has anyone checked if this is our Rose Dugdale? But the young officer quickly shakes his head. Nah, French woman, the witness has said, sir. Red hair. Feeley throws his coffee in the sink, returns to his desk and orders the Rusborough heist case file.
33:58 Matt Forde? You need the coffee, you want to be more alert?
34:01 Alice Levine? A few hours later, he's poring through it, wide-eyed. So much about it doesn't make sense. An art raid on a stately home? That's not the domain of any IRA foot soldier. A former heiress, on the other hand, sent to finishing school in Paris, educated at Oxford. He reads Sir Alfred Byatt's testimony again. His description of the woman, red hair, her accent French but odd. Rude, let's try my best. His account of how she carefully selected the most valuable paintings. He looks up the police department in County Wicklow and punches in the number. This heist in Rusborough, have you got any fingerprints?
34:46 Alice Levine? There's a pause on the other end of the line.
34:50 Alice Levine? Feeley hears papers moving in the background. We should do soon, we've just picked up the getaway car. Shaun's pulse quickens, he feels a smile spread across his face. Send them over, will you? There's a pause on the other end of the line. You think you can help us? Actually, I think you lot might be able to help me. Feeley hangs up, drums his fingers on the desk in anticipation. If only he can link this to his prime suspect, he'll be able to pull rank, turn this into a national search, call in every local constabulary in Northern Ireland, get the press involved too if he has to. He'll finally be able to flush out Rose Dugdale.
35:38 Alice Levine? Fourth of May, 1974, Rosscarberry, County Cork. Rose stares in horror at the cottage's grainy TV set. On it, a seedy-looking superintendent is reading from a pre-prepared statement, a smug smile etched across his face. We now have evidence to suggest Rose Dogdale, prime suspect in the Strabane heist, was also involved in the robbery of Rusborough House. Dogdale should be considered armed and dangerous. But Rose isn't listening anymore. She can hear her pulse rushing in her ears. She tastes bile in the back of her throat. She thinks she's going to retch, but she forces herself to her feet.
36:23 Alice Levine? She has to speak to Eddie. She rushes up the cottage's creaking stairs, but when she gets to the top, she freezes. She leans towards the door. Eddie and his men are in a heated discussion. Their voice is low, conspiratorial. I reckon we should cut and run. It's only her that's been named. Rose presses her ear against the oak bedroom door. She can't make out Eddie's muffled response, but one of the other men is closer to the door. I know you and her have a thing, but... Hot, angry tears stream down Rose's cheeks. She wipes them away with her palm, then shoves the door open. You can't give up.
37:08 Alice Levine? The authorities still have three days to meet our terms. I thought you were fucking soldiers, men. You're going to let the goddamn Garda bully you? She feels herself trail off. Eddie stares at her, caught. The older man, taller and thick-set, snorts. If they were gonna pay off, they'd have done it by now.
37:28 Alice Levine? Rose feels a stab of frustration. You don't understand the value of these paintings, but I do. She turns to Eddie, pleading. Eddie, it's three days. No one's going to find us out here. We've still got a chance to get the Price sisters back home, make real names for ourselves. She looks up at him, desperately trying to read him. Eddie draws a long sigh. She sees he's about to speak, when instead, his body tenses. He turns his head towards the door. What's that? Rose tightens her fists as she creeps down the stairs after Eddie into the living room. It's only the old television set. On the screen, the superintendent has been replaced by another man.
38:13 Alice Levine? And Rose does a double take, as she realises it's Albert Price, the Price sisters' father. The girls asked me to make a public statement. Rose feels herself start to relax. For the return of the paintings Unharmed. They are art students, and they appreciate the value of the pictures. When they return to Ireland, it will be on their own merits, much as they appreciate people trying to help them.
38:42 Matt Forde? Are you kidding me?
38:43 Alice Levine? Gutted.
38:44 Matt Forde? They're on the same side. She's trying to get them out of prison, and they don't want her help. I love the fact that this is the final straw for them. They're terrorists, prepared to bomb innocent people, but stealing art is a line too far for these sisters.
38:58 Alice Levine? Rose stares at the screen in disbelief. She's risked everything for the Price sisters. She watches the men's expression shift from shock to rage as they turn on her. That's it, I'm out of here. Rose rushes at Eddie, eyes wide, and tries to pull him close. Please, Eddie. Eddie shakes his head, horrified. We're gonna be laughingstocks. He tries to pull away from her, but she grips his wrists tight. You can't leave. I can't do this without you. Rose takes a deep breath, then hears herself murmur. I'm pregnant.
39:38 Alice Levine? She feels the room spin as Eddie steps back shocked. I, I can't believe you let this happen. Rosa's cheeks flush with rage. She's about to fly at him. This is just as much your fault as it is mine.
39:53 Alice Levine? But suddenly, there's a knock at the door.
39:59 Alice Levine? Seconds later, 4th of May 1974, Roscarberry, County Cork.
40:07 Alice Levine? Local gardener Sergeant Pat O'Leary peers through the grubby sash window, searching for signs of life. The holiday cottage is rundown, the windowpanes are splintering, and the stonework is clad in thick ivy. He's been tasked with going door to door, asking for information about the big IRA heist. He's convinced it's a waste of time. Rusborough House is over three hours away from here, and he knows the occupants of all the houses in the village, except this one. He checks his watch. Almost lunchtime. He's got corned beef sandwiches and a flask of coffee in the car. Impatient, he knocks again.
40:47 Matt Forde? Best leave it. Get to them Sarnies, man.
40:49 Alice Levine? I would do anything to not return to those sandwiches.
40:53 Alice Levine? Corned beef?
40:54 Matt Forde? So good!
40:55 Alice Levine? Actually, you're so corned beef. You are so corned beef. How have I fallen into this trap? It's meat. It's a processed meat. It's a meat of yesteryear. I mean, this is like all of the boxes ticked.
41:05 Matt Forde? Great in a sandwich, great in a hash.
41:09 Alice Levine? It doesn't look like anyone's home. He's about to head back to his car when the door creaks open. A woman stands in the doorway. Her red hair looks slightly askew, and her jeans are dirty. How can they help you? The voice takes Pat by surprise.
41:28 Alice Levine? His eyes narrow. He notices her cheeks are puffed, her eyes flushed. He tries to hide the suspicion in his voice. Sounds like you're not from around here. He watches the woman's feet shuffle. No, uh, I'm on holiday, uh, it's such a beautiful country. Pat nods. He's born and bred in Rosscarberry, and proud of it. I'm looking for information about a robbery. Few hours' drive from here, Rusper House. You might have heard about it. An odd look clouds the woman's face. She cups her belly and starts to tremble. Sorry, I've got the most terrible morning sickness. Pat reaches out to steady her. You're all right, my wife was the same. Looking at the woman so clearly unwell, Pat feels terrible for suspecting her.
42:13 Alice Levine? I'm so sorry, I'll leave you to get some rest.
42:17 Matt Forde? Plus, I got a couple of corned beef sandwiches with my name on them, so, uh, let's just end this conversation now.
42:22 Alice Levine? He's about to turn back to his car when something catches his eye. Behind the woman are three pairs of heavy men's boots. An uneasy feeling swells in his gut. He's sure the old farmer said it was just a couple staying at the cottage. You're not on your own out here, are you? You got someone looking after you. Oh, no, my husband is here. Pat fixes an easy smile. Just the two of you, that's nice.
42:52 Alice Levine? The woman nods briefly and closes the door. Pat's mouth is dry, his mind's racing. He considers heading back to the station, but he needs evidence. Swallowing, he takes a truncheon from his pocket, stoops low, and creeps around the back of the house. Peering through the kitchen window, he can see dirty cups and plates stacked high on the farmhouse table. He moves silently over to the sitting-room window. Daring to lean in closer, he can't believe his eyes. The place is littered with paintings, huge gold gilt frames leaning against walls and lying unceremoniously on the floor. Pat catches his breath, tries to think,
43:36 Alice Levine? but then he looks up and sees the dark outline of a figure watching him from an upstairs window, and in his hand, an assault rifle pointing directly at him.
43:54 Speaker 06 A trucker merges onto the I-10 in New Orleans. He checks his mirrors. The lane is clear. And then, boom. Impact. A pickup truck, seemingly out of nowhere, scrapes down the side of his 18-wheeler, multiple passengers inside. One man flees the scene, and the driver of the pickup, he doesn't seem all that upset. It didn't feel like a regular accident, because it wasn't. Across the city, truckers are getting sideswiped, all on the same stretch of the same freeway. And behind many of the cases is one person. A Hollywood stunt woman turned personal injury lawyer named Vanessa Moda. This podcast is a story about fake accidents that lead to real consequences, and a scheme that ends in betrayal and murder.
44:39 Speaker 06 Listen to Over My Dead Body: Operation Sideswipe wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app, or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
44:54 Speaker 02 In the summer of 1881, US Army Lieutenant Adolphus Greeley and 24 other men embarked on an ambitious scientific mission to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. But despite several triumphs of discovery, the men would soon face tragedy. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of the podcast American History Tellers. We take you to the events, times, and people that shaped America and Americans, our values, our struggles, and our dreams. In our latest series, after Adolphus Greeley and his men arrive at their destination, more than 1,000 miles above the Arctic Circle, they get to work collecting scientific data and exploring the frigid landscape. But when resupply ships fail to reach them two summers in a row, they're forced to set
45:36 Speaker 02 out on a desperate search for rescue, and not all of them will make it home. Follow American History Tellers wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of American History Tellers: Greeley Arctic Expedition early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app, or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
46:02 Alice Levine? Seconds later, 4th of May 1974, Baltimore, County Cork. Eddie Gallagher flings open the bedroom window and aims the gun at the retreating garda. He feels a hand on his back. Rose's expression is furious. Do you want to add murder to your charge sheet? Leave him. We just need to get out of here.
46:25 Alice Levine? Eddie watches her frantically throw clothes into a rucksack. He lowers the gun, tries to catch his breath. His thoughts are racing. He knows his men are right. The safest place for him right now is as far away from Rose as possible. But can he really leave her when she's carrying his child? Christ, Rose, this is a fucking mess! He should never have let a bloody woman run this whole thing. Where are we supposed to go? Rose shrugs. We'll make some calls. Drive to a safe house? Eddie shakes his head. We can't drive. Not if the garda are doing spot checks. They'll catch us up in no time. He makes a mental calculation. Baltimore Harbor is only 30 minutes away.
47:09 Alice Levine? Boat's the best way out of here. Trust me. A gruff man's voice echoes from downstairs. Let's get a fucking move on! Rose turns to head downstairs. Eddie hesitates. Wait. I'll take that. Gently taking her heavy bag from her, Eddie thunders out of the house and into the waiting car. The two men already have the engine running. He looks behind him, but Rose hasn't followed. Prickling with irritation, he storms back into the house and stares horrified at Rose. She's attempting to pack up all the paintings. We haven't got time for this, and there's no room in the car. Just leave them. I can't. Eddie tries to snatch a gold frame from her hands, but her grasp is firm.
47:54 Alice Levine? Bloody hell, Rose, it's over! Maybe for you. It's me the police are after. I need these. They're my leverage. She eyes him with wild desperation. Frustrated, Eddie lets go of the painting. Fine. Me and the boys will go ahead and get the boat. You take the farmer's car with this lot and we'll be waiting for you at the harbor. Eddie swallows as Rose stares at him, pleading, desperate. Promise? He looks at her. Promise?
48:33 Alice Levine? An hour later, 4th of May 1974, Baltimore Harbor, County Cork. Rose grips the steering wheel of the old farmer's battered Morris Minor and stares straight ahead of her.
48:47 Alice Levine? The rush of the waves is loud in her ears. She feels sick. Her head's spinning.
48:55 Alice Levine? She opens the car door, letting the fresh salty air fill her lungs. Then she perches on the bonnet of the car and lights a cigarette. Ten minutes pass, then half an hour. Rose sees the sun sink in the sky. Doubt begins to gnaw at her. Suddenly, she stands up. A small boat pulls into the harbor. Rose's chest leaps. She opens the car boot and starts carefully unloading the paintings wrapped in old sheets. She takes out her bag and checks it for money, a fake passport. She wonders where they'll go: her, Eddie, the baby. But the men stepping out of the boat don't meet her gaze.
49:39 Alice Levine? She takes in their yellow waders, the crates of fresh mullet in their arms. Feels the hope drain out of her. It's just a fishing boat. She stands totally alone on the shoreline. She begins to realise: Eddie isn't coming. She's a wanted woman, with no friends, no family. She retches, throws up at the water's edge. Tries to wipe her mouth as she returns to the car, but as she does, her stomach drops again.
50:13 Matt Forde? Worst place in the world to be if you're feeling queasy. Choppy waters, the smell of fish, dead and alive. I'd spew anyway, and I'm not pregnant, I swear it.
50:22 Alice Levine? And also not a terrorist in a bind.
50:24 Matt Forde? I swear that as well.
50:25 Alice Levine? Blue lights flash across her face. Rose's world comes crashing down as a police car skids to a halt in front of her. A victorious-looking superintendent climbs out. Rose Dugdale. She sets her mouth into a firm line. That's for you to find out. More and more cars are approaching now. Police, press. Garder officers swarm the Morris Minor and triumphantly claim the paintings. Rose feels the fight drain out of her. The game is up. Heart-sinking, she realises she has no idea what will happen to her, or her baby.
51:08 Alice Levine? Reporters' flashbulbs sting her eyes. Love, people are calling you the IRA's Most Wanted Woman. What do you say to them? Rose feels cold metal against her wrist as an officer tries to cuff her. She raises her free fist in the air. She's put aside her privilege and fought to become one of the most notorious women of the IRA. She may not have succeeded this time, but she's rocked the British establishment. She has shown oppressed people everywhere that they can fight back. She's led towards the waiting police car. She stares at the choppy sea. Wherever she is, whatever happens to her, she will always fight for a united Ireland.
52:01 Alice Levine? Rose was sentenced to nine years in prison in June 1974 after pleading proudly and incorruptibly guilty. Just like in her first trial, Rose used the courtroom as a platform for her politics, denouncing Britain as a filthy enemy and declaring that the Irish government were guilty of treacherous collaboration with England. She gave birth to her son Rory in December 1974 in Limerick Prison. He was raised by IRA supporters until her release. Despite his betrayal, this wasn't the end of the road for Eddie and Rose. In October 1975, Eddie kidnapped the managing director of a factory in Limerick and held him hostage for several weeks, arguing that he would only end the siege in exchange for Rose's release. This proved unsuccessful.
52:47 Alice Levine? Rose and Eddie were married whilst both in prison in 1978, the first wedding between convicted prisoners in the history of the Republic of Ireland, but separated after Rose's release in 1980.
53:02 Speaker 05 There are books that change how you see the world, and there are books that change how you see yourself. In a new podcast series, A Great Book with Barack Obama, President Obama sits down with a series of surprising and sharp guests to explore six books that have shaped his life and perspective on the world. From Song of Solomon and The Fire Next Time, to All the Pretty Horses and Gilead, the president is joined by guests like Tom Hanks and Ta-Nehisi Coates to reflect on how these timeless stories shaped his thinking on everything from fatherhood to leadership, and discover together what they tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create.
53:46 Speaker 05 Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of A Great Book with Barack Obama ad-free right now, plus access each audiobook discussed in the series. Download the Audible app today.
54:02 Speaker 03 Journalist Tristan Redman goes where no son-in-law should ever go, deep into his wife's family history, digging up the cold case of who murdered her great-grandmother. Because, I should mention, he thinks the murderer might actually be the beloved family patriarch. For the best binge-watch series like Ghost Story, listen to the Audible True Crime Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
54:24 Alice Levine? From Wondery and Samizat Audio, this is the third episode in our series Rose Doug Dale.
54:30 Matt Forde? A quick note about our dialogue: in most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but all our dramatizations are based on historical research.
54:37 Alice Levine? If you'd like to know more about this story, you can read The Woman Who Stole Vermeer by Anthony Amor, heiress rebel vigilante bomber by Sean O'Driscoll, you can listen to the BBC Northern Ireland podcast Assume Nothing, and you can watch the film Baltimore.
54:53 Matt Forde? Join Wondery Plus for early and ad-free access to entire seasons. And remember, if you want to get in touch with us with comments or suggestions, email us at [email protected] .
55:05 Alice Levine? British Scandal is hosted by me, Alice Levine.
55:07 Matt Forde? And me, Matt Ford.
55:09 Alice Levine? Written by Lydia Marchant, additional writing by Alice Levine and Matt Ford. Our story editor is James Maniac. Sound design by Peregrine Andrews. Our engineer is Jai Williams. For Samizat, our producers are Chica Ayers and Redsey Bernard. Our assistant producer is Louise Mason. Our senior producers are Joe Sykes and Dasha Lisitzina. For Wondery, our series producer is Theodora Leludis, and our managing producer is Rachel Sibley. Executive producers for Wondery are Estelle Doyle, Chris Bourne, Morgan Jones, and Marshall Louis.
55:48 Alice Levine? There are books that change how you see the world, and there are books that change how you see yourself. In a new podcast series, a great book with Barack Obama, President Obama sits down with a series of surprising and sharp guests to explore six books that have shaped his life and perspective on the world. From Song of Solomon and The Fire Next Time, to All the Pretty Horses and Gilead, the president is joined by guests like Tom Hanks and Ta-Nehisi Coates to reflect on how these
56:19 Speaker 05 timeless stories shaped his thinking on everything from fatherhood to leadership. And discover together what they tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of A Great Book with Barack Obama ad free right now. Plus, access each audiobook discussed in the series. Download the Audible app today.
56:47 Speaker 05 Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia spent her life exposing powerful people. Then, in 2017, she was killed in a car bombing. I'm Stephen Gray, and for the past nine years, I've been trying to find out who wanted her dead. That search took me to Malta through secret companies, organized crime, and eventually to one of the island's richest and most powerful men. Now, after years of waiting, his trial has finally happened. But when the verdict came in, the case took a turn that almost no one had expected. In a brand new update to the multi-award winning podcast Who Killed Daphne? I'm returning to Malta to find out how we got there and where the search for the truth goes next.
57:29 Speaker 05 Listen to the new episode of Who Killed Daphne wherever you get your podcasts. And you can hear the full six-part investigation from the beginning ad free with Audible. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
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