Loyalist Billy ‘Beachball’ McCune is facing charges of possessing firearms in suspicious circumstances. He doesn’t deny having the guns but claims he was a “go-between” for the community and UDA. McCune is now understood to be under threat from the owners of the guns - the UDA, the UVF and an organised crime gang known as the Russians. The UDA and UVF fear two of them were used in murders they carried out. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Northern Editor of Sunday World Richard Sullivan. Hosted on Aca...
Jun 02, 2024•18 min
Caoimhe Morgan was a 30-year-old mother of four. She was brutally murdered by her partner in her North Belfast home whilst two of her children were present at the property. Taylor McIlvenna has been found guilty of her murder but could be out in just 17 years despite having a lengthy criminal record. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Kurtis Reid, who was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 31, 2024•15 min
The shock divorce of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford have left viewers to wonder where it all went wrong for the TV double act. It’s not the first showbiz conflict Holmes has been involved in, after he was one of the loudest voices amid Phillip Schofield's high-profile ITV departure.Tabitha Monahan is joined by Belfast Telegraph features editor Áine Toner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 30, 2024•18 min
The trial of three men charged in relation to the murder of Lyra McKee has begun. The 29-year-old died after being shot in the head by a new IRA gunman in the Creggan area in Derry in April, 2019. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Kurtis Reid, who was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 30, 2024•8 min
On 4th July, Northern Ireland’s 18 parliamentary constituencies will decide who they will send to Westminster. A number of constituencies will see change in July, including Jeffrey Donaldson’s Lagan Valley seat. Meanwhile, PM Rishi Sunak’s plans to reintroduce national service have been seen by some as the wrong move for attracting younger voters. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by lecturer and political commentator David McCann and former DUP Spad and commentator Lee Reynolds. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
May 28, 2024•38 min
IRA decommissioning was an historic political event that has been clouded in secrecy for decades. Files uncovered by the Belfast Telegraph, in The National Archives at Kew, have revealed new details about how the road to decommissioning weakened first minister David Trimble, fueled the rise of the DUP, and almost collapsed the Good Friday Agreement. They also reveal how foreign spy satellites played a part in getting the IRA to destroy their weapons. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar with his find...
May 26, 2024•38 min
In February 2022, business consultant Brendan Murphy was living in Irpin, a small city near Kyiv. That month, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Irpin as one of their initial targets. Brendan wrote ‘War in Ukraine: An Irishman’s Journey’, to tell the story of his family’s escape from Ukraine and his experience of the country. He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2024•24 min
Outside a rainy Downing Street yesterday, Rishi Sunak set the date for the summer general election for the 4th of July. He says it is now time for Britain to choose its future, whilst Labour leader Keir Starmer says it’s time for change. Why has it been set for July, can the conservatives avoid a wipe-out, and what surprises can be expected during this campaign? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta, a market research consultancy based in London. Hosted...
May 23, 2024•18 min
The Belfast Telegraph’s latest LucidTalk polling reveals opinions on whether Sir Jeffrey Donaldson should resign as an MP, party support, and how well the public feel think political leaders are doing. It also polls opinion on whether DUP founding member Wallace Thompson is right to think a United Ireland is inevitable. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests: Bill White, Alex Kane, and Ursula Savage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 21, 2024•34 min
Ulster Rugby player Paddy Jackson, who was one of the key people at the Belfast rape trial of 2018, has expressed his concerns over a proposed six-episode TV series that will dramatise the court case that rocked Northern Ireland. The trial, where Jackson and fellow Ulster rugby player Stuart Olding were found not guilty of the charges against them, has a problematic legacy in Belfast and beyond. Fionnán Sheehan is joined by Special Correspondent with the Irish Independent Ellen Coyne. Hosted on ...
May 19, 2024•23 min
Jonathan Creswell was a showjumper, philanderer, abuser, and eventually, a murderer . He murdered a young woman, Katie Simpson, claiming she took her own life. The PSNI initially believed him, despite his previous criminal record, which included assaulting his ex-partner and threatening to put her into a bath of bleach. Two days into the murder trial he took his own life. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Sunday World’s Steven Moore and Court Reporter Tanya Fowles – who from the beginning was deter...
May 16, 2024•32 min
Arlene Foster has been accused of deflecting questions at the Covid Inquiry. The former first minister was grilled about her role during the pandemic. In questioning by barrister Clair Dobbin, Mrs Foster said she has “deep regret” over the executive’s response during the early days of the outbreak. Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 15, 2024•24 min
First Minister Michelle O'Neill has apologised for attending the funeral of IRA leader Bobby Storey at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She had long said she would never apologise for being at the funeral. Sam McBride reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14, 2024•21 min
The PSNI had journalists they considered “troublemakers” under surveillance. It’s led to the force being accused of acting like the Stasi. But who was being spied on? Why and how? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent, Allison Morris and solicitor Niall Murphy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12, 2024•24 min
The Covid-19 pandemic was an unprecedented event all over the world. NI Officials and ministers are now under scrutiny as they appear before the Covid-19 Inquiry to account for the decisions they made. The Belfast Telegraph’s Sam McBride is following the inquiry. He tells Ciarán Dunbar what it has revealed about Northern Ireland’s politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 09, 2024•33 min
During the troubles, South Armagh became known as ‘Bandit Country’ - a heartland of paramilitary activity. The Provisional IRA’s notorious south Armagh brigade took the lives of hundreds of people, including British soldiers, RUC officers and civillians, whilst being widely accused of smuggling across the Irish border. Journalist Toby Harnden, author of ‘Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh’ joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 07, 2024•25 min
After the murder of Adrian Donohoe, the main suspect Aaron Brady boarded a one-way flight to America. He had no intention of ever returning to Ireland. His departure instigated an international police investigation that would span multiple years, resulting in a murder trial plagued with dirty tricks and witness intimidation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 06, 2024•30 min
What goes in to catching a garda killer? In January 2013, Detectives Joe Ryan and Adrian Donohoe from Dundalk garda station were tasked with escorting credit union takings across Cooley Peninsula, on the border with Northern Ireland. The men were ambushed and Garda detective Donohoe was shot dead. What followed was the largest murder investigation in the history of the Irish state. Aaron Brady, a tug from Crossmaglen, was the lead suspect from early in the case. He later vanished. Hosted on Acas...
May 05, 2024•28 min
Stephen Grimason was the journalist who waved the Belfast Agreement on our television screens with the iconic quote: “I have it in my hand”. The former BBC political editor Stephen Grimson later became the head of Stormont’s press operations. He passed away last week following a long illness. Last year, Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride sat down with Grimason to discuss his extraordinary career. This episode originally aired on 5th April 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
May 04, 2024•41 min
This Saturday's Irish Cup Final sees Cliftonville play Linfield at a sold-out Windsor Park. It’s set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated cup finals in a generation, however, safety concerns from both teams have led to a security bill of £50,000. Keith Bailie is joined by Belfast Telegraph chief sportswriter Steven Beacom, ex-Linfield manager David Jeffrey and Belfast Telegraph sports reporter Conor McLaughlin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 02, 2024•27 min
Loyalism stood triumphant. The Ulster Workers Strike succeeded. It brought down the Sunningdale executive, the council of Ireland binned, power-sharing shelved . It seemed like total victory. But was it? In the final part of a three-part series, Ciarán Dunbar looks at the long-term legacy of Sunningdale Agreement and the Ulster Workers Strike – and asks, who really won? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 30, 2024•31 min
Northern Ireland had never seen the like of the Ulster Workers Strike – a rebellion against the state – by loyalists. The strikers wanted an end to the Sunningdale power-sharing executive and everything that went with it. It was mostly peaceful but was punctuated by the bloodiest day of the Troubles – the Dublin Monaghan bombings. In Part 2 of a three-part series – Ciarán Dunbar looks at how the Ulster Workers Strike began, and why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 29, 2024•33 min
In 1973 the ‘Sunningdale Agreement’ established power-sharing in Northern Ireland, preceding the Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement by 25 years. It even had an All-Ireland dimension. But it met with a backlash and was brought down by the Ulster Workers Strike. In the first part of a three-part series, Ciarán Dunbar explores the Sunningdale Agreement and its workings – and asks if it ever had a chance? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 28, 2024•31 min
Michael O’Loughlin was arrested in Co Down in 2020 as part of a Europe-wide crackdown on organised crime. He was one of the first criminals arrested in the Encrochat hacking scandal. But why is the career criminal now pleading guilty to the charges against him? Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guest: Allison Morris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2024•18 min
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson have appeared at Newry Magistrates Court to face historical sex charges. He was escorted into the court by the PSNI amid chaotic scenes. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney and crime correspondent Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 24, 2024•13 min
Andrew Madden and Ursula Savage join Ciarán Dunbar to discuss the week in politics. Colonel Tim Collins has been in the news after branding the Alliance Party ‘pro-nationalist'. The former soldier will be standing for the UUP in North Down in the next general election. As a possible general election looms, Health Minister Robin Swann sets sights on South Antrim's seat while questions arise over whether or not Naomi Long will campaign for East Belfast. The issue of Irish bilingual signs continues...
Apr 23, 2024•24 min
Graham Eve boasts a military career which spanned over 8000 miles. A member of the 2nd Parachute Regiment in NI he witnessed 16 of their men being killed in the Warrenpoint ambush in 1979. His service later carried him to the Falkland Islands, where scenes got even bloodier. The former Paratrooper and gun team commander joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 21, 2024•22 min
Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles. Known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire, he murdered 3 people at an IRA funeral in Milltown Cemetery, west Belfast. Following his release from prison in 2000, he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was ‘performance art’. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 18, 2024•30 min
The arrest of DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson at the end of last month came as a shock to those in the party and beyond. Although he is now an independent MP, questions now have to be answering about who the DUP will stand in the general election. Donaldson’s resignation could prove an opportunity for the Alliance Party to gain a seat in Lagan Valley. Belfast Telegraph’s political editor Suzanne Breen joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 16, 2024•29 min
As the death toll in Gaza reaches 35,000, there has been a dangerous spike in tensions across the Middle East. In a serious escalation of the crisis in the region, Iran made its first ever direct attack on Israeli soil on Saturday, sending hundreds of drones and missiles across the desert, the majority of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. But as the West urges restraint, is a larger conflict in the region on the horizon? Host: Fionnán Sheehan. Guests: Declan Power and Claire Herrio...
Apr 15, 2024•22 min
