The results of the latest Belfast Telegraph LucidTalk poll are in. Support for the DUP has slightly weakened, while support for Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill is at an all-time high. And we reveal the level of support there now is for a United Ireland. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by head of LucidTalk Bill White, Political commentator Alex Kane, and Belfast Telegraph reporter Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 21, 2024•39 min
Would you know disinformation if you saw or heard it? And might you be seeing it now in the U. S. on topics such as immigration around the Texas border? If you are seeing this, might any of it be influenced by actors such as Putin's Russia? On this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian talks to David Gilbert, a reporter for Wired.com who specialises in investigating disinformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 19, 2024•25 min
The question of whether humanity stands alone in the universe is one of the biggest questions there is. Is there life beyond earth, and if there is, is it intelligent life? Can the evidence of UFOs and alien contact be trusted? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Astrobiology Professor David C. Catling, and Sunday World reporter Níall Feiritear, who has had an experience that has convinced him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 19, 2024•26 min
Health, education, and roads are just some of the areas Stormont needs to spend big on. But now the exchequer has ordered the Executive to raise £113 million. How could ministers achieve that and is NI poorly funded in comparison with Scotland and Wales? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Margaret Canning, Kurtis Reid and David McCann. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 16, 2024•29 min
“I certainly could find nothing that led me to believe in Ian Bailey’s guilt.” That’s according to a retired UK senior forensic officer who has investigated the murder case of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Bridget Chappuis was in communication with Bailey right up to the day before he died, not with the aim of proving his innocence, but with the hope of finding the truth about one of Ireland’s most notorious unsolved murder mysteries. Host: Kevin Doyle , Guest: Bridget Chappuis. Hosted on Acast. Se...
Feb 14, 2024•24 min
The morning after a dance in a Newry orange hall, 19-year-old Pearl Gamble’s body is found at the end of a trail of blood. Suspicion immediately falls on 25-year-old Robert McGladdery, known locally for his predatorial behaviour. Less than a year later, McGladdery is the last man to be hanged on the island of Ireland. Historian Joe Baker and Charlie McSherry, a neighbour of Pearl Gamble, join Ciarán Dunbar to tell the story of her vicious murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
Feb 11, 2024•27 min
The Republic of Ireland has found itself as a European outlier in its broad public support for Palestine throughout the ongoing war in Gaza. With the annual St Patrick's day visit to Washington around the corner, will the government use the opportunity to advocate for peace? Will Sinn Fein boycott the visit? And how do acts of solidarity impact the conflict people are outraged by? Tabitha Monahan is joined by Ellen Coyne and Hugh O'Connell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
Feb 10, 2024•22 min
Following the murder of Ian Ogle in 2019, the PSNI felt the pressure and resolved to strike a blow against UVF cocaine dealers – that operation has seen a raft of convictions. Who are the kingpins, the enforcers and the bookkeeper behind the drug trade in east Belfast? Sunday Life reporter Ciaran Barnes joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 09, 2024•23 min
The Stormont Assembly and the executive are back in action, although there have been some obstacles on the way. Sinn Fein expressed their surprise at the DUP’s pick of the education ministry, TUV’s Jim Allister has said he will be a ‘thorn in the side’ of the Assembly, and the SDLP have suspended an MLA over a helicopter trip to Wexford. How has the return gone so far and what lies ahead? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride, political commentator David McCann and Irish language activist, Ciar...
Feb 06, 2024•36 min
Just before 6pm on 2nd June 1994 an RAF Chinook helicopter leaves from Aldergrove. On board are 25 key intelligence officers including members of the army, MI5 and the RUC. Although set for Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, they never make it, crashing into the Mull of Kintyre. Why did they crash? was there a cover-up? and why was the cream of UK intelligence travelling on an aircraft which the RAF had concerns over? Belfast Telegraph reporter Andrew Madden joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acas...
Feb 05, 2024•23 min
The death of Ian Bailey in Cork leaves many unanswered questions in the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Irish Independent journalists Senan Molony and Ralph Riegel share their meetings and stories with Ian Bailey over the past 27 years. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Senan Molony & Ralph Riegel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 02, 2024•32 min
It seems that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has won the battle - the DUP leader is taking the party back to Stormont after securing a new deal with the government. Is it a good deal? has Sir Jeffrey achieved his goals? and where does anti-agreement unionism go from here? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney and commentator Owen Polley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 01, 2024•22 min
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has convinced the majority of the DUP that it’s time to restore power sharing. Following a bizarre evening of social media leaks, protests and secret meetings, the party leader made the announcement in the early hours of the morning. Is Sir Jeffrey’s leadership in a stronger position than before, how are Loyalist voters feeling, and who is Jamie Bryson’s ‘mole’? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Allison Morris and political commentator and lecturer Jon T...
Jan 30, 2024•22 min
West Belfast group Kneecap regularly court controversy – but is that just part of their act? Singing mostly in Irish about drugs, the DUP and social exclusion the band have made a film about themselves starring Michael Fassbender. It has attracted rave reviews, but some victims of republican violence perceive the band to be glorifying republicanism. But what’s the band really about? Niamh Campbell is joined by Liam Tunney and Dave Hanratty while Olivia Peden spoke to ex-PSNI officer Jon Burrows....
Jan 29, 2024•25 min
Immigration has become a big talking point in the Republic of Ireland in a very short space of time - and it's likely to become a key electoral issue. The main opposition party, Sinn Féin, is widely tipped to win forthcoming elections. So where does Mary Lou McDonald and her party stand on the issue of the moment, and could they make a move to the right if that's what voters want? Host; Tabitha Monahan, Guests; Gabija Gataveckaite & John Downing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
Jan 26, 2024•19 min
In a passionate speech earlier this week Jeffrey Donaldson said threats wouldn’t stop him from engaging with the UK government. Is the DUP leader ready to face down his opponents or will he continue to condemn the Windsor Framework and to boycott Stormont? Will his party agree with him or is it set to split? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Journalist Andrew Madden, along with commentators Sarah Creighton and Owen Polley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 25, 2024•31 min
Against a backdrop of a rising far right and war across the globe, Europe goes to the polls in June. Why is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seen as the ‘black sheep’ of the EU? How will Trump’s likely return to the White House affect the Union? And as war in Gaza rages on, will the EU stand with Israel no matter what? Shona Murray, Euronews Europe correspondent, joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 24, 2024•26 min
The body of Portadown woman Margaret Perry was found a year after she went missing, the bodies of three men the IRA itself accused of her murder were found three days later. The IRA also accused them, all members or former members, of being British agents. Why was Margaret murdered? Who were her murderers and did one British agent kill three others? Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 22, 2024•29 min
Born in England into immense wealth and luxury, Rose Dugdale turned her back on riches to become a bombmaker, a thief and a terrorist. But why did she abandon her life of privilege for the IRA? Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guest: Liam Collins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 19, 2024•21 min
Prof Jussi Hanhimäki argues the international body is still important, despite the challenges it faces. But what exactly is the UN? What is its role today? And with the body impotent in the face of wars from the Congo to Gaza – has the time come for major reform? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 17, 2024•30 min
Was Kitson responsible for enflaming the Troubles or did his own books leave him a convenient scapegoat? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Edward Burke, a military historian in University College Dublin, and by Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh, a senior lecturer in History in St Mary’s University college in Belfast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 15, 2024•29 min
This is the story of three long-lost siblings, all abandoned in mysterious circumstances in Lisburn, Dundalk and Drogheda, who unbelievably found their way back to each other many years later. But there could be a fourth ‘foundling’ and they need your help to find them… Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Catherine Fegan, Helen Ward & David McBride Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 12, 2024•28 min
Kevin Conway, originally from the Lurgan area, was shot dead in Belfast on 9th January. Linked to ‘The Firm’ he was one of three men charged in relation to the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan in January 2023. The area has seen several high-profile assassinations in recent years linked to a single dissident republican gunman. Allison Morris reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 10, 2024•15 min
Described as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK history, between 1999 and 2015 over 700 postmasters and postmistresses were wrongly accused of stealing money from their branches. Some were bankrupted, losing their houses, livelihoods and life savings, and others served prison sentences. It was later revealed the missing money was due to a fault in a computer program. Kurtis Reid joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 10, 2024•29 min
John Hume was not just one of the most influential men in Northern Ireland politics, but in Irish history, as the leader of nationalism throughout most of the Troubles. The joint Nobel Peace Prize winner not only stood against violence but saw his once-radical ideas become mainstream. Sam McBride is joined by Stephen Walker, author of The Persuader to discuss John Hume’s life, ideas and legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 08, 2024•41 min
South Armagh republican Colm Murphy died earlier this year at the age of 70. He had been convicted but later acquitted of involvement in the Omagh bombing. He was later found liable in a civil court for the 1998 attack which killed 29 people. Murphy was at various points a member of the Provisional IRA, the INLA, the Real IRA, and was linked to the Óglaigh na hÉireann dissident group. The Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Allison Morris profiles him and explains what he was like in pers...
Jan 05, 2024•27 min
Philip O’Shea was initially charming when he contacted vulnerable women online. He was a friend, a flatterer, someone who could help. But his true intentions emerged very quickly – he was a cruel catfisher who forced women to send him compromising pictures. And it didn’t stop there, in this episode of the BelTel Sharon O’Neill tells Ciarán Dunbar how O’Shea went from online harassment to real-life stalking, and how he eventually got caught. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
Jan 03, 2024•21 min
Philip O’Shea is a prolific online predator who lurked behind fake profiles, first coming across as charming friendly and flirty, then going in for the kill in an orgy of cruelty. He forced them to send compromising pictures of themselves to him, blackmailing them not for money but for his own perverted satisfactions. Sharon O’Neill tells Ciarán Dunbar how he managed to ensnare his victims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 01, 2024•20 min
We all dream of winning the Lottery, but then we hear stories about how winning the millions sent some people’s lives into a tailspin. The self-described ‘king of the chavs’ Michael Carroll being a famous example. Some have described winning the Lottery as a living hell that they would not wish on their worst enemies - can that fate be avoided? And should you tell people, or could you try and keep your win a secret? Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests Aine Toner and Kathy Garrett. Hosted on Acast. See a...
Dec 29, 2023•25 min
On October the 15th, 2021, the PSNI launch a raid an apartment in Ballymena, as part of a wider operation against drug in the town. The man who lived there was 61-year-old Noel Johnson. Moments later, he was dead. Once an acquaintance of Liam Neeson, this Catholic from Loyalist Harryville had been known as the ‘cocaine king’ of Ballymena. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by John Laverty, who knew Noel Johnston well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 27, 2023•25 min
