The Kew Files have revealed some of Northern Ireland's hidden secrets on unionism and loyalism. In part 2 of a 2-part special of the BelTel, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to discuss the Kew Files and what they can tell us about Ex-DUP leader Peter Robinson, Ulster Resistance and the paramilitary activity the UK Government suspected Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly's father, Noel Little. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 14, 2024•25 min
Thousands of declassified files on Northern Ireland and the troubles have been deposited, not in Belfast, but in the Kew Archives in London. In part 1 of a 2-part special of the BelTel, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to discuss the Kew Files and what they tell us about Martin McGuinness, the IRA and the SDLP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2024•25 min
Nationalists continue to campaign for planning a united Ireland, but Unionists seem assured it’s a pipe dream – where does the truth lie – or is it impossible to say? Is a United Ireland a realistic prospect or pure fantasy, inevitable or impossible? David McCann and Owen Polley join Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 09, 2024•28 min
Prolific republican gunman Gerard ‘Hucker’ Moyna has died aged 69. He has been linked to several murders – including that of Shankill Butcher Lenny Murphy. He was also believed to be involved in the killing of solicitor and unionist politician, Edgar Graham – as well as IPLO spokesman, Jimmy Brown. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 07, 2024•20 min
Globe-trotting Private Investigator Ian Withers reflects on his extraordinary career, from speaking to Gerry Kelly in prison after the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, tracking the IRA’s Hyde Park bomber with a bluffed phone call and being arrested on suspicion of the murder of an exiled politician from the Seychelles. He joins Andrew Madden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 04, 2024•29 min
Northern Ireland Politics were thrown into chaos at the weekend when Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader. He’s been charged with historical sex offences, while his wife Eleanor Donaldson has been charged with aiding and abetting. With a general election looming, can the DUP survive this crisis? Allison Morris and Sam McBride join Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 02, 2024•31 min
Mitchell’s farm was the base of the ‘Glenanne Gang’, a mix of loyalist paramilitaries and rogue members of the security forces. The ‘Glenanne Gang’ were responsible for up 120 murders including the Dublin Monaghan bombings, the Miami Showband massacre, and scores of other sectarian killings. Martin Breen has had a run in with Mitchell, he explains what happened. This episode originally aired on 20th October 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 31, 2024•25 min
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences. The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride explains the implications of this political earthquake to Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 29, 2024•14 min
Ian Hurst worked with the British Army’s ‘Force Research Unit’ during the Troubles . He later exposed Freddie Scappaticci as the agent known as Stakeknife. Controversially, he also maintains former IRA leader Martin McGuinness was compromised, even claiming he protected Scappaticci. He gives his version of events to Ciarán Dunbar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 29, 2024•32 min
Tom Galvin and Andrew Madden join Ciaran Dunbar to explain who Simon Harris is and what he might mean for Northern Ireland. And with Sinn Féin being heckled from both the right and the left, we ask what it might mean electorally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2024•23 min
Sixteen year old Megan McAlorum’s body was found in a Dunmurry forest in 2004 after a night out. Her body was found with 54 fractures to her skull, among other injuries. Thomas Purcell, who claimed to be 16 at the time, brutally killed her after picking her up from a west Belfast bar. He died in a road crash in Oxford earlier this month. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2024•19 min
As editor of The Derry Journal during the Troubles, Pat McArt found himself a trusted critic and counsellor to political giants like Martin McGuinness and John Hume. His new book, ‘War, Peace and the Derry Journal’ chronicles Derry’s devastation during the troubles and the city's move towards peace. He joins Belfast Telegraph Derry reporter Garrett Hargan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 23, 2024•34 min
*A warning, today's episode contains details of domestic violence which listeners may find upsetting* Terrorist, garda killer and prolific wife beater, Pearse McCauley’s long litany of convictions have established him as one of Ireland’s most dangerous criminals for over 30 years. The IRA man made the headlines in the early 1990s for a daring escape from an English prison, but his shooting of a garda in 1996, would wrap his name in infamy. Host: Tabitha Monahan, Guest: Alison Morris Hosted on Ac...
Mar 22, 2024•19 min
The TUV have hooked up with Reform UK but what is in this arrangement for both parties and who is Reform UK anyway? And Sinn Féin went to America despite of pressure from the left to boycott the visit, due to US support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Sam McBride joined Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 20, 2024•31 min
Rose Dugdale died in her sleep in a Dublin nursing home yesterday morning at the age of 83.She was the former debutante who once curtseyed to Queen Elizabeth, only to rebel against her wealthy upbringing and become an expert bomb-maker in the Provisional IRA. Fionnán Sheehan is joined by journalist Liam Collins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 19, 2024•21 min
Russia’s army has made some advances in eastern Ukraine, forcing the Ukrainians onto the back foot. The pope has controversially called for Ukraine to raise the “white flag”. How bad are things for Ukraine, what would Russia’s peace terms be, and what would life be like in a Russia-ruled Ukraine? Trinity College teaching fellow Conor Daly and security consultant Philip Ingram join Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 18, 2024•22 min
An armed German terrorist has been captured after 30 years on the run – but the manhunt for others continues. Daniela Klette is one of three members of the “third generation” of the notorious urban guerrilla Red Army Faction (RAF) who had been in hiding since the 1990s. We look at the terror campaign by Germany's Baader-Meinhof Gang, whose members killed more than 30 people in the 1970s and ’80s and ask if the organisation is having a resurgence? Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guest: James Jackson Hoste...
Mar 17, 2024•19 min
Eamonn Mallie is one of NI’s best-known journalists. The south Armagh man has been a leading radio and television reporter since 1975, covering much of the Troubles and subsequent peace process. The veteran journalist discusses his memoir with Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 15, 2024•30 min
A Labour general election victory means Sir Keir Starmer, who has a long history with NI, would become Prime Minister. Once in favour of a united Ireland, he’s now strongly unionist – would he rule out a border poll? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride and Bill Bowring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 13, 2024•26 min
Despite tough firearms laws, the UK has seen several horrific gun massacres. Hungerford, Dunblane, and the Cumbria shootings, to name but a few. They were mass killings, carried out by a single man, who finally took his own life. Craig Jackson is a professor of psychology and performs ‘psychological autopsies’ on the mass killers responsible for Hungerford and Dunblane on stage. He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 11, 2024•27 min
As Cillian Murphy keeps his fingers crossed for an Oscar win, the Academy Awards looks forward to celebrating its 95th anniversary. However, Hollywood’s biggest night isn’t always without controversy and scandal. From violence to nudity and political protests, we look at the most shocking moments from the Academy Awards history. Host: Fionnán Sheehan. Guest: Dave Hanratty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 09, 2024•23 min
Due to the rise of platforms like OnlyFans, Sex work has been subject to a media frenzy in recent years. The issue has long been met with outrage by religious groups and radical feminists alike, who believe that the trade exploits women. But a bill created by the DUP, which made paying for sexual services illegal, has only convicted one person in under a decade. Olivia Peden is joined by adult actress and OnlyFans content creator Meghan O’Neill, along with Belfast Telegraph columnist Fionola Mer...
Mar 08, 2024•24 min
More Alliance members would now vote for Irish unity than to remain in UK. Almost 38% of Alliance members said they would vote for a united Ireland. So has Alliance fundamentally changed and will it be forced off the constitutional fence? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Jon Tonge and Suzanne Breen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 06, 2024•28 min
More than £2 million is missing after a string of ATM thefts carried out by the same notorious Co Antrim gang. They got away with it for two years encouraging many copy-cat raids. But after robbing an ATM machine beside a PSNI station – they got caught and banged up. But most of the money was never found. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 04, 2024•18 min
WARNING: This episode of the BelTel contains graphic details which some listeners might find disturbing. Daniel Allen admitted killing an entire family, including two children in Fermanagh in 2018. The Gossetts were a reclusive – constantly on the move to avoid social services. Denise Gossett begun a relationship with Allen after they met on a BDSM forum. Just two years later he killed her, her children and her grand-daughter. Kurtis Reid spoke with Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Mar 01, 2024•22 min
James Smyth has been found not guilty of killing Eamon Fox (41) and 24-year-old Gary Convie. Mr Convie and Mr Fox were in a parked car awhen they were shot dead in May 1994. Mr Justice O'Hara said it could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt that Smyth was the gunman. Allison Morris reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 29, 2024•14 min
The proposed new stadium at Casement Park in west Belfast is hoped to be part of the 2028 Euros but that has enraged some Northern Ireland fans. Meanwhile, a Stormont row brews over the rising costs. Sinn Féin place major importance on rebuilding the GAA stadium while unionists question its funding. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Liam Tunney and Keith Baille. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 27, 2024•28 min
Amanda Brown has written a book, ‘No peace until he’s dead’, explaining what former Irish rugby star Tweed did to her and her family. Davy Tweed was a popular, well-liked, successful man in public.But he was also a violent wifebeater and a paedophile who prayed on his relatives, . Amanda tells the BelTel that she has spoken out to make sure that Davy Tweed’s abuse is never forgotten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 26, 2024•24 min
County Tyrone’s Conor Bradley has been described as the most exciting footballer to emerge from Northern Ireland since ‘60s legend George Best. The Liverpool ace has taken the Premier League by storm in recent weeks, with his surging runs down the right-flank winning the hearts of the Anfield faithful. How did he get here, and what’s next? Belfast Telegraph sports Journalist Keith Bailie is joined by Ulster Herald sports journalist Tommy Nethery and Belfast Telegraph chief sportswriter Steven Be...
Feb 24, 2024•24 min
The word ‘shocking’ gets bandied about loosely these days, but videos and photographs that have circulated after an X-rated Valentine's weekend event in Belfast have caused anger, scandal and even fury in some communities - but for many others it's just a private bit of fun. Host: Fionnán Sheehan, Guests; Niamh Campbell, Kirsty Blake Knox and John Woodward, manager of the controversial Pleasure Boys Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 23, 2024•22 min
