Big Time Podcast: Episode 14 - "Irish Goodbye"

Host: Steve Buscemi
Reporter: Sean Flynn
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Produced by: Apple TV+ / Campside Media

Introduction

In Episode 14 of Big Time, titled "Irish Goodbye," host Steve Buscemi delves into the enigmatic story of Kevin McGeever—a wealthy real estate developer whose sudden disappearance and peculiar reappearance raised numerous questions. Narrated with engaging storytelling and enriched by interviews, the episode unpacks the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator in what initially appeared to be a harrowing kidnapping tale.

The Encounter: Catherine and Pat's Story

The narrative begins with Catherine Vallely, who recounts a fateful night that set off the chain of events:

Catherine Vallely (01:01): "Hello, my name is Catherine Vallely. Ten years ago or so, I became famous for about 15 seconds. I didn't even get the 15 minutes. I only got 15 seconds."

Catherine, a fiction writer, was driving home with her partner, Pat, when they encountered a mysterious man on the road:

Catherine Vallely (02:06): "My God, was I lucky to meet him. I mean, he was so fantastic. He had these piercing blue eyes... a lovely, handsome, elegant Irish man."

The man, later identified as Kevin McGeever, exhibited unusual characteristics—long fingernails, a rugged beard, and a foreboding tattoo on his forehead reading "thief" in Irish. Catherine and Pat decided to give him a ride, leading to their involvement in a media frenzy.

The Rise of Kevin's Kidnapping Narrative

Upon Kevin's sudden reappearance after an eight-month disappearance, the media quickly labeled him a "kidnapped millionaire." Catherine shares her experience with the ensuing publicity:

Catherine Vallely (10:44): "Pat said to me, he said, look, if there's any interviews you do at all, I'm not interested in talking to anyone."

Kevin claimed he was abducted and held in a dark steel container, suffering severe malnutrition and physical abuse:

Sean Flynn (09:28): "Businessman and developer. Kevin McGeever was reported missing in May of last year. He told Garda he'd been kidnapped at gunpoint... held underground in a dark steel container for eight months."

This gripping story captivated the public and media, painting Kevin as a victim of a brutal kidnapping.

Dubious Business in Dubai

Parallel to the kidnapping story, Big Time unveils Kevin's questionable business dealings in Dubai's real estate market. The episode introduces Jim Byrne, an investor who, alongside approximately a hundred others, invested around $70 million through Kevin in off-plan real estate projects:

Jim Byrne (14:16): "It's snowing in Dubai."

Despite initial promises of lucrative returns, delays and rumors of double-selling properties began to surface:

John Murray (18:43): "That party was where it all started to go around from."

By 2009, as the global economy faltered, Kevin's projects in Dubai stalled, leading to investors like Jim seeking returns and uncovering potential fraud.

The Unraveling of Kevin's Story

As suspicions grew, Kevin's financial instability became apparent. In January 2011, creditors filed complaints, leading to his temporary detention in Dubai. Subsequently, Interpol issued a red notice for Kevin, marking him as a wanted individual. Despite these developments, Kevin mysteriously disappeared again, reigniting questions about his true circumstances.

Sean Flynn (22:11): "News reports are saying Kevin might have gotten crosswise with the Russian mob, maybe."

Catherine and Pat began to doubt the veracity of Kevin's kidnapping story, noting inconsistencies such as his remarkable physical recovery and the improbable nature of his survival after eight months in captivity.

Kevin’s Arrest and Confession

In March 2013, Kevin was arrested for "wasting police time," a charge reflecting the authorities' skepticism of his kidnapping narrative:

Sean Flynn (30:31): "In March 2013, he was arrested for wasting police time... a judge gave him two years but suspended the sentence."

During the court proceedings, both Catherine and Pat testified, linking Kevin to their initial encounter and indirectly to his fraudulent activities. Kevin eventually confessed that his kidnapping story was fabricated, potentially to divert attention from his financial misdeeds.

Catherine Vallely (31:27): "He didn't look a bit like the man I had picked up. I mean, he looked completely different."

Attempts at Reconciliation and Current Status

A decade later, Sean Flynn attempted to reconnect with Kevin via Facebook, hoping to uncover the truth behind his convoluted story. Kevin maintained his innocence regarding the kidnapping but admitted to financial losses during the Dubai crash:

Sean Flynn (36:20): "He still swears he was kidnapped, that he was held in darkness for more than eight months."

Despite multiple attempts, Kevin remained elusive, ultimately requesting $10,000 for a detailed account of his experiences—a request Flynn declined.

Kevin (38:00): "The only lie I ever told in my life is the lie about my age."

Kevin's current life in Dublin remains shrouded in mystery, leaving many to ponder the true extent of his actions and the reality of his past claims.

Conclusion

"Irish Goodbye" masterfully weaves a tale of deception, ambition, and the thin line between victimhood and villainy. Through firsthand accounts and investigative journalism, the episode exposes the complexities of Kevin McGeever's story, challenging listeners to discern truth from fabrication in a world where appearances can be profoundly deceiving.

Notable Quotes:

• Catherine Vallely (01:01): "Ten years ago or so, I became famous for about 15 seconds."

• Sean Flynn (05:53): "Kevin reaches a friend. This friend wants Kevin brought to a town more than an hour down the road..."

• Brendan McGeever (22:27): "When you look at somebody lying in a bed in the condition that he's in now, anybody..."

• Catherine Vallely (27:41): "He didn't smell. That's one thing I did notice."

• Jim Byrne (35:33): "It's all worked out fine."

Production Credits:

• Story Editor: Audrey Quinn
• Showrunner and Managing Producer: Lane Rose
• Production Team: Amy Padula, Rajeev Gola, Morgan Jaffe
• Associate Producer: Danya Abdullah
• Fact Checking: Mary Mathis
• Sound Design and Mixing: Shawnee Aviron
• Theme Music: Nicholas Principe and Peter Silberman of Spatial Relations
• Production Help: Dan Brennan at SoundTrack Studios
• Executive Producers (Campside Media): Josh Dean, Vanessa Grigoriadis, Adam Hoff, Matt Sher

Big Time continues to offer riveting stories that explore the audacious dreams and schemes of criminals, pushing listeners to question what is real and what is illusion.