Sean Bourke was born in Limerick into a large family in 1932. As a boy of 12, Bourke was sentenced to three years in Daingean reformatory in October 1947 for stealing bananas from a lorry.

Having moved to Britain, in 1961 he was convicted of sending an explosive device through the post to a Detective Constable Michael Sheldon, against whom he bore a grudge. The bomb exploded, but caused no injury. He was sentenced to seven years in prison. While in Wormwood Scrubs prison in London, he founded and edited the prison magazine, New Horizon. In this role he met George Blake, who wrote contributions for the magazine.

Blake had been convicted of spying for the Soviet Union in 1961, and after his release Bourke went about helping him escape from prison.

This fascinating documentary takes a look at this man's extrordinary life.

Produced by Kevin O'Connor

PRODUCED AND PRESENTED BY KEVIN O'CONNOR

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries.