Aoife Moore’s new book on Sinn Féin is on the shelves and in the headlines. The Derry-born journalist’s approach to Sinn Féin has drawn the ire of some in the media – accusing her of not being hard enough on what is now Ireland’s largest party. She tells Ciarán Dunbar how and why she wrote ‘The Long Game: Inside Sinn Féin’, whether Sinn Féin will be able to keep their list of promises in power and how Gerry Adams almost fell following the revelations his brother Liam had raped his own daughter. ...
Sep 10, 2023•24 min
Wallace Thompson was a founder member of the DUP and a loyal follower of the late Ian Paisley. Now he feels that some form of Irish Unity is inevitable – why? He spoke to Sam McBride. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 08, 2023•47 min
Tim McGarry and iconic on-screen character on screen 'Da', along with the likes of Uncle Andy and Billy the Peeler, has long been making fun of life and politics here. But it’s not all about comedy for Tim, he’s passionate about humanism and the cause of integrated education in Northern Ireland. He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 07, 2023•25 min
In the end, Simon Byrne had to go. He had lost the confidence of the public and politicians – and above all, of his own officers. The final straw was a court ruling - that two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined. Where does this debacle leave the PSNI? Does Sinn Féin also have questions to answer? And what does this fiasco tell us about policing and politics in Northern Ireland? Sharon O’Neill, is joined by Allison Morris and Sam McBride See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...
Sep 05, 2023•38 min
Aaron Edwards is from Rathcoole in north Belfast but works at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, educating the British Army’s future officers. He sat down with the Belfast Telegraph’s Ireland Editor Sam McBride to discuss his new book ‘A People Under Siege’ – and where he believes the unionist community must go to secure the future of the Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 03, 2023•45 min
Yevgeny Prigozhin’s brief uprising challenged Vladimir Putin in a way no one else ever has. Is the Russian president now in a stronger position or has he been weakened and with Ukrainian forces advancing, could a ‘cornered’ Putin reach for the nuclear option? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Jason Corcoran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 31, 2023•24 min
The latest Belfast Telegraph Lucidtalk polling tells us the majority of unionists are behind the DUP boycott of the NI Assembly and Executive. Does this mean that Stormont will never return? Alex Kane and Bill White join Ciarán Dunbar See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 29, 2023•47 min
With the Labour Party soaring ahead in the polls, Keir Starmer is predicted to become the next Prime Minister after the general elections. But what would a new Labour Party government mean for Northern Ireland?Keith Bailie is joined by David McCann and Sarah Creighton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 27, 2023•27 min
We know Letby murdered babies and tried to kill many more but why? How did this young, intelligent, woman, with loving parents, become a mass murderer of the innocent? Psychology Professor Craig Jackson joined Ciarán Dunbar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2023•27 min
Serial killer nurse Lucy Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison after being convicted of murdering seven helpless babies. She has never admitted it, never apologised, never said why she committed such horrific crimes. The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris breaks explains the case to Ciarán Dunbar and its implications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 22, 2023•28 min
In 1998 an IRA Punishment squad broke into Andrew Kearney's flat. They shot him three times and Andrew bled to death. He was cradling his 19 day-old baby daughter at the time. This attack was punishment for a bar fight two weeks previously with an IRA commander. Despite apologies from Gerry Adams, no one was convicted of his murder. Suzanne Breen interviews Andrews sister Eleanor Kearney King and his daughter Caitlin Darragh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. S...
Aug 20, 2023•32 min
One of the founders of the SAS, Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne was a great soldier and a hero in his native town, Newtownards. But his legacy is a complicated one, he was not a model officer. His exploits in battle saw him earn many honours but he denied the Victoria Cross. Did the complex nature of the man muddy his legacy? Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Andrew Madden. First Published on 09/12/2022 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
Aug 17, 2023•20 min
BelTel Revisited: Sean Fox was gunned down while drinking in the Donegal Celtic Social Club in west Belfast, on Sunday 2 October 2022, in front of more than 100 people. It was the latest in a series of murders carried out in west Belfast linked to drug-dealing and the so-called ‘Marbella Crew’. Who is responsible for carrying out these killings and why? First Published October 10th 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
Aug 15, 2023•26 min
The 21st of July 1972 was the most prolific day of IRA bombings during the Troubles. Nine people were killed and 130 injured as a blitz of 22 bombs detonated throughout Belfast in under two hours. That day has since become known as Bloody Friday. Why did it happen, how did it happen? First published July 21st 2022. Host Ciarán Dunbar, guests Malachi O’Doherty, Niamh Campbell and Aaron Edwards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
Aug 13, 2023•25 min
With attendances on the rise, wealthy investors on board and more media coverage than ever before, Irish League football is on something of a high. But it’s not all rosy in the garden. The top clubs are yet to make a breakthrough in European competition, and the PSNI has announced a new strategy to deal with some of the problems that have dogged the game for decades. Host: Keith Bailie. Guests: Steven Beacom, David Jeffrey See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See...
Aug 11, 2023•50 min
Rosaleen O’Kane was found in a burning flat in north Belfast in 1976, her body stripped and set on fire. Rosaleen was 33 years old. Why did the RUC not investigate her murder? Why were her family told her death might have something to do with 'black magic'? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 10, 2023•20 min
The PSNI has been plunged into crisis after an accidental data breach saw the details of over 10 thousand PSNI officers and staff made available online.With the terrorism threat already set to severe, police officers now fear for their immediate safety after their names, ranks and locations were circulated. Host: Keith Bailie. Guest: Sam McBride See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 09, 2023•27 min
Former BBC correspondent tells Ciarán Dunbar that only an international body can help Northern Ireland deal with legacy issues. Brian Rowan is a well-known journalist and author. He passionately advocates that we must deal with the past as far if possible if we are to escape from it. He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 08, 2023•31 min
‘Twitter’ has become ‘X’. What is Elon Musk’s thinking, and could it actually be a good call? Some want to move on from the platform but what are the alternatives? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter, Kurtis Reid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 06, 2023•26 min
Who is Q and why do so many people follow the QAnon conspiracy theory today? Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Will Sommer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 04, 2023•20 min
Northern Ireland’s political Assembly and Executive are moribund, and many commentators are now doubtful that they will ever return. Is it time for Plan B and if it is – what would that look like? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris and Sam McBride. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 04, 2023•38 min
County Armagh lorry drivers Mo Robinson and Ronan Hughes are doing serious jail time for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated in a trailer being towed by Robinson. Hughes and Robinson were part of a Romanian / Northern Ireland people smuggling gang – and they were far from alone. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent, Allison Morris, who tells the shocking story of how the migrants lost their lives and who else was involved in this gang. See om...
Aug 01, 2023•32 min
From a troubled childhood to global fame, Sinead O’Connor’s unique voice, talent and personality captivated audiences across the world. Our sister podcast the Indo Daily looks at the life and legacy of the iconic ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ singer.Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: John Meagher See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31, 2023•28 min
People in Northern Ireland have been arguing over flags for as long as anyone can remember. Time and time again police and politicians have argued over it, but with talks of new legislation being drawn up again, are we finally getting to a stage where the problem will be solved? Niamh Campbell is joined by Belfast Telegraph report Andrew Madden and Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
Jul 30, 2023•25 min
The first Belfast Pride was held in 1991, a handful of people took part. At that time, Northern Ireland which was much less tolerant and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, sometimes leading people to take their own lives.Ciarán Dunbar speaks to Terry McFarlane. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 27, 2023•23 min
The IRA’s aim was to unite Ireland - so why did it do its best to stop cross-border railway services? It came very close to succeeding but were strongly opposed by an organization established to defy that that ambition. Who were the people behind the Peace Train movement, and did they succeed? And why did the IRA try and bomb the trainlines out of existence in the first place? Host: ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Dr Connal Parr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
Jul 25, 2023•26 min
To celebrate Pride month, the Indo Daily finds out how the global parade got started and why the fight for equality and Gay rights goes on for the LBGTQ+ community. Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Bill Hughes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 23, 2023•32 min
Suwei Shang was last seen 10 years ago when she left court after admitting killing her husband. After her arrest, more than £100,000 was discovered in her bank account leading detectives to suspect she had been working in the sex trade. But incredibly the courts let her out on bail as they decided on her sentence. Where could she be? Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Ciaran Barnes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 23, 2023•18 min
Patricia Curran’s mutilated body was discovered just 40 yards from her home at 2 o’clock in the morning on the 13th of November 1952. She was a judge’s daughter – savagely stabbed to death - the pressure was on to find her killer. An innocent - but compromised man - Iain Hay Gordon, was eventually blackmailed into signing a confession and sent to a Psychiatric hospital – only to be quietly released and packed off to home to Scotland. In this episode of the BelTel, Journalist Stephen Gordon, tell...
Jul 21, 2023•25 min
The early hours of the morning on the 12th of November 1952, a judge’s daughter, Patricia Curran, is found dead in the garden of her family home. She had been stabbed 37 times. The BelTel looks at the shocking killing and how Iain Hay Gordon, a young Scot doing his national service in the RAF, was intimidated into signing a false confession, frightened that his mother would find out about his sex life. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by journalist Stephen Gordon, who’s been fascinated by this horrific m...
Jul 20, 2023•28 min
