Unionists fiercely resist calls for a border poll for on a United Ireland, but that was not always the case. David Trimble campaigned for a poll in 2002 – secret files reveal he was dismissed. Newly released Dublin files reveal former taoiseach John Bruton was suspicious not only of Sinn Féin and the SDLP, but even his own Department of Foreign Affairs. Other files reveal a young John F Kennedy was happy enough with partition of Ireland and how Roger Casement was a source of controversy long aft...
Jan 08, 2025•31 min
For most people, the legendary Belfast character of Buck Alec will ring a bell. Infamous for his pet lion and street-fighting career, he was even rumoured to have worked with Al Capone. But Buck Alec Robinson wasn’t just some sort of loveable street-fighting rogue - according to many he was also a ruthless sectarian killer as a member of the Ulster Special Constabulary. Who really was Buck Alec – the archetypical Belfast hardman? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Joe Baker. Hosted on Acast. S...
Jan 06, 2025•22 min
Edgar Graham was murdered in broad daylight at Queen’s University on 7 December 1983. A law lecturer and unionist politician, Sam McBride examines his life and legacy and tracks down the colleague accused of setting Edgar up for the IRA. This episode was originally published in December 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 03, 2025•32 min
Edgar Graham was just 29 years old when the IRA gunned him down at Queen’s University in Belfast. The young law lecturer and unionist politician was widely believed to be a future leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. Forty years later, Sam McBride investigates why the IRA targeted him, whether he was set up by a colleague, and where this lost leader of unionism might have led Northern Ireland. This episode was originally published in December 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Jan 01, 2025•31 min
2024 brought political returns, countless scandals, and that one girls night at the Devenish which shocked Northern Ireland. To reminisce on this year’s eventful news agenda, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Editor-In-Chief Eoin Brannigan, and journalists Sam McBride, Allison Morris, Aine Toner, Gillian Halliday and Flávia Gouveia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2024•48 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'? This episode was originally published in August 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 27, 2024•20 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...
Dec 25, 2024•27 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? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Malachi O’Doherty, Niamh Campbell and Aaron Edwards. This episode was originally published in July 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 23, 2024•25 min
The infamous Northern Bank heist shook the peace process to its core with suspicion immediately falling on the Provisional IRA. The Northern Bank was forced to replace millions of pounds of notes soon after the huge crime but most of the money was never found. It was far from the ‘victimless’ crime some portrayed it as it left innocent people deeply traumatised. Why did the IRA emerge from the shadows to carry out this robbery and why did they do it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph ...
Dec 20, 2024•45 min
The BelTel Football panel discuss Linfield star Joel Cooper’s shock Coleraine switch, Larne’s managerial crisis as Nathan Rooney steps down and Northern Ireland legend Gareth McAuley reflects on his incredible career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 19, 2024•51 min
Sunday World Assistant Editor Gerry Millar spent the early years of his career investigating the mystery of those who were ‘disappeared’ by the IRA, having known one of them John McClory, who was murdered alongside Brian McKinney. He joins Ciarán Dunbar to share how he was amongst the first journalists to compile a list of the ‘Disappeared’ and how their disappearances affected his local community in Andersonstown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 17, 2024•29 min
When the BBC aired journalist Michael Buerk's harrowing reports of Ethiopian famine in 1984, few could have imagined the surprising and enduring legacy they would inspire. Among those watching was Irish musician Bob Geldof who became determined to help the only way he knew how. How did Band Aid's iconic Christmas single come about and are it’s charitable lyrics now outdated? Ellen Coyne is joined by John Meagher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 16, 2024•36 min
We use them every day, but do the terms left and right really describe our politics today. What is ‘woke’ and why do people hate it? And socialists struggle with the working class as much as for it, why is that? David McCann from Ulster University and Michael Pierse from Queen’s University Belfast join Ciarán Dunbar to take a deep dive into today’s political trends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 15, 2024•28 min
Don Anderson was one of the BBC’s TV reporters in Saigon during the final days of the Vietnam War. He joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell his incredible story of his time in Vietnam, including accidentally finding himself in a minefield, his near-death experiences on the front line, and the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 13, 2024•27 min
UVF chief Winston “Winkie” Irvine is facing jail time after pleading guilty to firearms charges. It means the well-known loyalist Irvine’s dual-career has a tax-funded community worker and paramilitary is well and truly over. Who’s Winkie Irvine? How did he get caught? What does this mean for his role in loyalist transitioning? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 11, 2024•23 min
In 1913, Ireland, the whole of Ireland, was an integrated and peaceful part of the UK – albeit one with a strong home rule movement and a strong counter-home rule movement. It had two private and opposing armies and a secret underground brotherhood dedicated to winning an Irish Republic by force. A world war, a rising, a guerilla war and a civil war later, most of Ireland had left the UK by 1923, becoming the Irish Free State, and of course, Northern Ireland was born. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by ...
Dec 09, 2024•28 min
What are the allegations being made against Gregg Wallace that have led to him stepping down as host of the BBC’s flagship show MasterChef and doe sit mean for the BBC and the MeToo movement? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Enda Brady & Niamh Horan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 08, 2024•26 min
Newry millionaire money launderer ‘Mr-Fix-it' is now facing lengthy jail time. Rory Trainor was snared following a Europe-wide investigation into the EncroChat phone network. After spending almost 5 years fighting 39 charges he admitted guilt to drug and illegal cash charges, confessing to laundering almost £1.4 million. Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 06, 2024•18 min
When Sam McBride went investigating a massive cannabis operation in Hillsborough he was confronted by an angry poultry farmer, Clive Weir. Not only did Weir deny knowledge of the weed growing in his shed, he lambasted the PSNI for not catching the perpetrators. His denials seemed ridiculous and eventually he plead guilty. The PSNI said somebody approached Weir - a Chinese ‘Triad-like’ crime gang - and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell this unlikely sto...
Dec 04, 2024•23 min
Loyalist Ian Ogle was murdered just yards from his east Belfast home in an attack compared to an attack from a “pack of hyenas”. Five people have now been found guilty of his murder The killing effectively brought down the leadership of the East Belfast UVF, leading to huge PSNI task force pressure which resulted in over 30 drug dealing convictions. Ciaran Barnes tells Ciarán Dunbar the story of the brutal murder of Ian Ogle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 02, 2024•22 min
One week on from the verdict in Nikita Hand’s civil rape case against Conor McGregor, the Irish MMA fighter’s career is in freefall. Since last Friday, products associated with McGregor, including Proper No. Twelve whiskey, have been removed from shelves, murals have been whitewashed over and marches have taken place in solidarity with victim Ms Hand. What next for the Dublin MMA star who once had it all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 30, 2024•27 min
Remains exhumed from a grave in County Monaghan are being DNA tested to determine whether they include those of Joe Lynskey. One of the ‘disappeared’, the former monk turned IRA man was abducted, murdered and secretly buried in 1972. Lynskey is understood to have tricked a fellow IRA man into shooting a love rival – also a member of the IRA. The IRA ‘court martial’ sentenced him to death Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell Joe Lynskey’s story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
Nov 29, 2024•29 min
Gary ‘Smickers’ Smith was Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair’s deputy on the Shankill. As a UFF hitman, he was involved in over 20 sectarian murders. Smith lived in exile in Scotland upon his release from the Maze prison. Last year he was convicted of sexual communications with a 12-year-old boy – he narrowly avoided jail. He died at the start of this month aged 60. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday World Reporter Hugh Jordan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 27, 2024•22 min
'Say nothing’ focuses on the lives of IRA members Marian and Dolours Price, Brendan ‘The Dark’ Hughes, and their interactions with future Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. Each episode features a denial from Adams that he had any involvement with the IRA. The murder of Jean McConville is a major part of the series - along with the disappearances of Kevin McKee, Seamus Wright, and Joe Lynskey. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid, who has reviewed the show, and Allison Mo...
Nov 25, 2024•32 min
“Ruthless. Psychopath. Dangerous.” These are just some of the words used to describe Robbie Lawlor, a formerly leading figure in the notorious Drogheda feud. Crimeworld's Nicolla Tallant discusses her new book Web of Betrayal and podcast series Double Cross – The Murder of Robbie Lawlor, to shed new light on the chaos and violence that consumed Drogheda leading to Lawlor’s death in Ardoyne in April 2020. Host; Tessa Flemming, Guest; Nicola Tallant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...
Nov 23, 2024•26 min
Under boxing legend Barry McGuigan’s guidance Carl Frampton won world titles in 2014 and 2016. However, their relationship fell apart in a legal battle over fight profits, leading to a £6 million lawsuit. As McGuigan enters the “I’m a Celebrity” jungle, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by boxing Journalist David Mohan and reporter Niamh Campbell to unpack the rise, fall, and aftermath of the fallout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 22, 2024•27 min
Incoming US Vice President JD Vance is a self-professed ‘Scots-Irish Hillbilly’. He first made waves in US politics with his best selling memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ on his poor upbringing, which was later adapted into a film. How did JD Vance get from the Applachians to the White house, what does he have to do with Ulster Scots, and how important is the Ulster Scots community in the US? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by director of the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin, ...
Nov 20, 2024•23 min
Martin O’Hagan was a former IRA prisoner who eventually rejected violence and became an investigative reporter with the Sunday World. He was murdered by the LVF in Lurgan on 28th of September 2001. No-one has ever been convicted of the killing. The National Union of Journalists wants an independent inquiry into the killing and the subsequent investigation into it. Ciarán Dunbar is by joined by Anton McCabe, Seamus Dooley, and by Jim McDowell, Martin O’Hagan’s editor at the Sunday World. Hosted o...
Nov 18, 2024•30 min
The Belfast Telegraph’s political editor Suzanne Breen joins Ciarán Dunbar with her analysis of Belfast Telegraph’s LucidTalk polling, including a recent dip in support for Michelle O’Neill among recent Sinn Féin controversies and Unionist support for DUP ministers’ meetings with Loyalist paramilitary representatives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 15, 2024•27 min
The Police Ombudsman says the PSNI investigation into the death of Katie Simpson was “flawed and failed her family”. The 21-year-old died in hospital a week after an incident where her sister’s partner, Jonathan Creswell, claimed to have found her mid-suicide attempt. In reality, he had repeatedly attacked her. Police failed to question Katie’s death, despite Creswell’s violent history and physical signs of abuse on her body. He was later charged with her murder but took his life one day into th...
Nov 12, 2024•27 min
