Sir Patrick Mayhew was Northern Ireland’s secretary of state between 1992 and 1997, a time when the peace process was just beginning, and the Troubles were still raging. Files uncovered by the Belfast Telegraph in The National Archives at Kew in London have revealed new details about a secret memo Mayhew sent to PM John Major. The classified message suggests the IRA was in a stronger position at the time than previously thought, and questions some of the received wisdom about the intelligence wa...
Jul 25, 2024•27 min
Armagh will face Galway in the Orchard County’s first All-Ireland final since 2003. Armagh only ever won once, back in 2002. Galway's last Sam Maguire was just the year before, in 2001. The excitement is building and the scramble for tickets is intense as pre-match analysis begins. Niamh Campbell is joined by Oisín McConville, Jessica Rice and Lee Costello. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 23, 2024•26 min
Since the UVF’s formation, the paramilitary group has went on to kill over 500 people. Gusty Spence became infamous for leading the organisation and deciding their tactics. The ex-British Army soldier was charged and convicted with the first Catholic victim of the troubles. Aaron Edwards, author of ‘UVF: Behind the mask’ joins Ciarán Dunbar to discuss the origins of the modern UVF, the role of Gusty Spence and the first five years of the organization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Jul 21, 2024•26 min
31-year-old Whitney Hughes has been handed a 4-year sentence for drug offences. The so called ‘Cocaine Queen’ of Newry took over her father, Mark ‘The Chicken’ Lovell’s crime gang after he was gunned down in December 2022. Hughes admitted seven drug offences relating to possessing and supplying cocaine, MDMA and steroids, two counts of trading in counterfeit goods and one of possessing criminal property. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Brett Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See a...
Jul 18, 2024•13 min
A 38-year-old man has been arrested last night as violence continued in south Belfast. The past two nights have seen disorder in the village area. On Monday over 30 petrol and paint bombs were thrown at police, with footage captured by Belfast Telegraph showing a firework being thrown at a police Land Rover and a masked man encouraging a child to partake in the violence. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph Visuals editor Kevin Scott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
Jul 17, 2024•11 min
The so-called ‘Border Fox’, Dessie O’Hare, has been released from prison. He is best known for kidnapping a dentist and chopping his fingers off. Originally an IRA man, O’Hare was one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles, confessing to being the triggerman in at least 26 murders. Guest: Allison Morris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 16, 2024•20 min
Former priest Denis Bradley played a key role in the peace process as part of the ‘back-channel’ between the IRA and the British. His decision to become vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board in 2001 drew the anger – and violence of dissident republicans. He gives Ciarán Dunbar his assessment of how to deal with dissident republicans today – he says the Irish government must talk to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 14, 2024•29 min
In August 1980, a pastor, his wife and their three children went on a camping holiday that would change their lives forever and become one of the biggest stories in the world. “A dingo’s got my baby” were the words that divided Australia as Lynn Chamberlain was accused of a shocking crime. Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Malcolm Brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 13, 2024•25 min
The petrol bomb attack happened at the height of bitter disputes over parading Even by the standards of the Troubles the murder of the Quinn brothers on the 12th of July 1998, it shocked NI. The contentious parades issue which had caused deep tensions was changed overnight, albeit never solved, as society saw the issue with a fresh perspective. The horrific deaths of three children forced a rethink on all sides. Liam Tunney joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell the story of the tragedy, and its continuing...
Jul 11, 2024•24 min
Sam McBride on why Ian Paisley Jr lost his seat and if this is truly the end of Paisleyism. And could he head off and work for Farage or even Trump? Host: Ciarán Dunbar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 09, 2024•29 min
Gerry Fitt was once political giant, but he ended up in obscurity, sitting in the House of Lords as a baron. Once described as ‘Fenian Fitt’ he ended up with more unionist views, derided as ‘Fitt the Brit’. Who really was Gerry Fitt and what is the story behind his political journey? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Dr Michael A Murphy, author of ‘Gerry Fitt, a Political chameleon’ and by Dr Sarah Campbell, author of Gerry Fitt and the SDLP: 'In a Minority of One'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
Jul 07, 2024•39 min
A quiet general election campaign turned into an incredible results night resulting in seismic changes. The Belfast Telegraph’s political editor Suzanne Breen gives her assessment of the General Election results in Northern Ireland. Host: Ciarán Dunbar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 05, 2024•20 min
The DUP have suffered a series of defeats in the general election including Ian Paisley's North Antrim seat. Alliance have won Lagan Valley with Sorcha Eastwood but lost North Down and Stephen Farry. In a great night for them, Sinn Féin have held all their seats comfortably. SDLP hold their seats. The UUP's Robin Swan wins South Antrim Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 05, 2024•15 min
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will return to court in the autumn to formally answer historical sex offence charges. He and his wife Lady Eleanor appeared in Court in Newry on Wednesday morning. The number of charges he faces is now 18 - an increase of seven alleged offences since his last appearance in court. Ciarán Dunbar spoke to Liam Tunney and Allison Morris, who were in court in Newry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 03, 2024•18 min
NI will elect 18 new MPs on Thursday. Most of the seats seem easy to predict but the pre-election Belfast Telegraph / LucidTalk poll suggests there will be some really close battles, most involving Alliance. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Bill White from Lucid Talk, political commentator Alex Kane, and former election manager with the SDLP - Ray Kennedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 02, 2024•37 min
On the 3rd of July 1970 the British Army sealed off the lower Falls. A ‘curfew’ is announced. Troops go in, searching for IRA weapons. But the use of CS gas, houses being wrecked, looted even, turns the population against them. Four people died. The Official IRA decided to fight what they called ‘The Battle of the Falls’. The army seized weapons but their standing in west Belfast had been completely changed. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Brian Hanley, and by Belfast Telegraph columnist an...
Jun 30, 2024•27 min
As Taylor Swift brings her Eras Tour to Ireland, we look at how her fans have made her a global success and created an army of followers - some of which have become a threatening force. Host: Ellen Coyne Guests: John Meagher & Clare Martin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 29, 2024•26 min
A ‘Walter Mitty’ is someone who lies about, or exaggerates, their military service. Being a so-called ‘Walt’ is technically legal in the UK but vigilante ‘Walt hunter’ groups campaigning for legislation against it. Northern Ireland has its fair share of fantasists including one fake cop who called for back-up. Why do they do it, and are they really doing any harm? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph's Kurtis Reid and Olivia Peden, who also spoke to Professor of Defence mental health at ...
Jun 27, 2024•27 min
The man once known as the face of Brexit is back. Nigel Farage claims that after the election, his party Reform UK will be the head of opposition in parliament. He has stood for parliament 7 unsuccessful times, been member of three different parties, and had three near-death experiences along the way. How did Nigel Farage get here, can he win this time, and what does he think about Northern Ireland? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalist and author of ‘One party after another – the disruptive lif...
Jun 25, 2024•25 min
Sam McBride sat down with Stephen Farry, asking him the tough questions on his vision for North Down, on his views about gender issues and why his his first worlds in Westminster were in Irish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 24, 2024•44 min
Convicted Killer and West Belfast UDA boss Mo Courtney has blamed on trying to extort cash from a local pensioner who runs an online ‘granny bingo’. Loyalist sources say Courtney ‘fined’ the organiser of the illegal online game £10,000 and ordered her to pay him £100 per week protection money. Courtney, who denies any links to criminality, accused the woman of “bringing Catholics” onto the Shankill Road in Belfast. Olivia Peden is joined by the Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes. Hosted on Acast. See a...
Jun 23, 2024•17 min
A 1,500 strong UVF show of strength has raised questions about what is going on in the organisation. What’s going on with the UVF and why are parade tensions re-emerging in Ardoyne? Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 20, 2024•24 min
With the Westminster Election looming, Northern Ireland’s parties continue to fight their traditional battles. To catch up with what’s been happening on the doors and in the polls, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by renowned data analyst Peter Donaghy to hear his predictions, Belfast Telegraph Political Editor Suzanne Breen on recent developments, and Foyle-based Belfast Telegraph reporter Garrett Hargan with a profile on the constituency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 18, 2024•26 min
Ciarán Dunbar sits down with Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty Internation to discuss whether human rights apply to everyone equally, what’s happening in Israel / Palestine and whether the case of Julian Assange means the west is in no position to lecture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 16, 2024•33 min
12 years ago, a cyclist in the French Alps made a gruesome discovery one sunny autumn afternoon. The bodies of 4 adults, each of whom had suffered gunshots to the head. Miraculously, two children had survived the bloodbath. Who were they? Why were they killed? And why are French police still looking for answers after all this time? Tabitha Monahan is joined by Catherine Field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 15, 2024•18 min
Colonel Tim Collins was the commanding officer of the Royal Irish regiment, who led them into battle in Iraq. Now he’s the UUP candidate for North Down. Collins has strong views on immigration, abortion, transgender issues, his rivals, and the future of Northern Ireland. Sam McBride sat down with Tim Collins to hear who he really is, what he believes, and his plans if he gets elected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 13, 2024•42 min
Mary Lou McDonald is “sorry” this week after disappointing results in Irish local elections. In Northern Ireland, Nigel Farage has disappointed the TUV by endorsing DUP candidates. And just 33% of NI candidates in the General Election are women – why? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by David McCann, while Claire Williamson speaks to Aoife Clements, and to MLA Cara Hunter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 11, 2024•29 min
20 women who have been murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020. Three of these murders have been in the last 7 months, with the latest being 81-year-old Patricia ‘Patsy’ Aust. Her brother has been charged with her murder. Compared to the rest of the UK, women here are twice as likely to be murdered in NI as a result of domestic violence. Do we have a problem? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sarah Mason, CEO from Women's Aid, with Women's Aid, and Karen Devlin, membership and policy at Women's Aid. Ho...
Jun 09, 2024•27 min
The trial of three men charged in relation to the murder of Lyra McKee is continuing. The court has heard that rioting on the night she was killed was orchestrated to “put on a show” for an MTV camera crew. A Constable testified how Lyra “stumbled and fell to the floor” as she stood among a group of women beside a police Land Rover. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Ashleigh McDonald, who has been following the trial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 06, 2024•12 min
The campaigning has begun, the posters are up, and soon Northern Ireland will be going to the polls. Where can Sinn Féin make gains, could Belfast end up without Unionist representation, and what would Gavin Robinson losing his seat mean for the DUP? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph political editor Suzanne Breen and former editor of The Impartial Reporter Denzil McDaniel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 04, 2024•29 min
