The BelTel

The witness protection scheme in NI has raised moral questions and lacks penalties for those who’ve exploited it and lied in court. For some of Northern Ireland’s worst criminals – it's like winning the lottery. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to Department of Communities figures from 2022 almost 250,000 in Northern Ireland live in absolute poverty – could entrepreneurship be a part of the solution? Ciarán Sheehan made the case for entrepreneurship to Ciarán Dunbar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did we learn from the 2 day grilling of RTÉ bosses by TDs and senators on the inner workings of the €345,000 which the State broadcaster paid top presenter Ryan Tubridy?Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Gabija Gataveckaite & Hugh O’Connell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A staggering 96% of the people in prison in NI are men. Why are men much more likely to turn to crime and end up in jail than women?Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests: Dr Michelle Butler, Prof David Canter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yevgeny Prigozhin marched his Wagner troops to Moscow, the world watched and waited for a showdown between the mercenary fighters and Vladimir Putin. But it never happened. A deal was done. What's next for Putin, and is Prigozhin a dead man walking? Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Donnacha Ó Beacháin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RTÉ has released a statement finding there was "no illegality" involved in the undeclared payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy, but Dee Forbes was centrally involved in negotiations. Presenter Siobhán Maguire is joined by Irish Independent Ireland Editor Fionnán Sheahan to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China and the USA are world’s most powerful countries, both militarily and economically. Recent tensions between the two over the future of Taiwan, amongst a host of other issues are a concern for us all. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by international affairs expert, Angus Lambkin, who has lived in China, to get his analysis on the situation and whether he thinks it will result in conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of paramilitary attacks have been carried out in NI since the Good Friday agreement. Often, they are attacked by appointment – people turn up to be shot. Sometimes children are even accompanied by their parents, drugged up to dull the pain. Youth worker Stephen Hughes is based in Divis in west Belfast, he is active in the pressure group Stop Attacks which works to end these attacks forever. He spoke to Ciaran Dunbar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner group of mercenaries have rebelled against the Russian military. Putin called it “a stab in the back”. It is the biggest threat to his leadership in more than two decades in power.But who is he and what is the Wagner Group?This podcast was originally broadcast in February 2023.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been 25 years since the first Assembly election following the Belfast Agreement. David Trimble, later Lord Trimble, was one of the key architects of the Belfast agreement, leading the largest unionist party at the time, the UUP. He died in July in 2022. In this bonus episode of the BelTel – we broadcast a remarkable in-depth interview from 2015 in which David Trimble gives his take on what happened during the peace process to Alex Kane. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A chance meeting between loyalist activist Jamie Bryson and Tory Simon Hoare led to the MP meeting loyalist leaders in Belfast. Northern Ireland Affairs Committee chairperson Hoare denies the meetings were secret negotiations, but they came as the government is trying to get Loyalists to buy into the Windsor trade protocol to help get Stormont back up and running. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by our political editor Suzanne Breen – who broke this exclusive story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disaster at 13,000 feet below sea level. A trip to see the Titanic has gone horribly wrong for the occupants of a submersible that has now lost contact. The Titan vanished with five people on board during a dive to the Titanic wreck site in the North Atlantic on Sunday. Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guest: Senan MolonySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BBC series Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland has been hailed as the finest ever on the Troubles. Featuring contributions from loyalists, republicans, soldiers, police, victims and civilians who found themselves living in an acutely abnormal society, the impressionistic work evokes empathy for all sides. Sam McBride interviews directors James Bluemel and Sian McIlwaine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Science Fiction has become reality and Artificial Intelligence is a growing part of our lives. The technology becoming more advanced every week. But what is AI and why are people like Elon Musk warning us that it is dangerous? And if it is so incredibly threatening to us, then why are we developing it? Kurtis Reid and Kevin Scott join Ciarán DunbarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1907, a theft at Dublin Castle ended up becoming a global story when the precious Irish Crown Jewels went missing. Scotland Yard, psychics and the author of Sherlock Holmes were brought in to try and locate the precious stones.Presenter Siobhán Maguire is joined by Sunday Independent columnist, Sarah Caden,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The man accused of murdering Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell (21) had absconded to the Ballymena area three times from a secure mental health facility, a court has heard. Chloe has been missing since the 3rd of June. Suspected human remains were found in Ballymena on Sunday. Liam Tunney was in court for the Belfast Telegraph as two mean appeared in relation to the case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam McBride argues that the strength of the Irish Army is a crude barometer of how seriously the Republic takes the possibility of unity. Ireland’s Defence Forces are small, underequipped and getting weaker as more and more service men and women abandon the ranks due to poor pay and conditions. But what about a united Ireland – if loyalism chose to resist it would Ireland’s armed forces be able to deal with that? This is part three of a three-part series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New files released by the FBI outline a plot to assassinate the late Queen Elizabeth as she visited America. The memos date back to 1983 when the Queen visited California as guest of President Reagan. But this was not the only alleged plot to remove Queen Elizabeth and the future King Charles from the monarchy. Host: Fionnán SheehanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There has been a revolution in the multi-billion-dollar world of golf – and Rory McIlroy is its ‘sacrificial lamb’. The Holywood man had taken a stand against the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, remaining outspokenly loyal to the PGA Tour. But now, behind his back, the feud between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour has taken a sudden turn. Where does McIlroy stand now? Adam McKendry is joined by Belfast Telegraph journalist Gareth Hanna. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part-two of a three-part series, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy makes the case for neutrality and against an enhanced military capacity. Ireland has no capability to control or even police the state’s skies and has an extremely limited maritime capability. The cost-of-living crisis has seen hundreds of service personnel leaving and not being replaced. Some argue that the Defence Forces need investment, modern equipment, and more members. However, some others that more call for more military spending is warmongering and will lead to NATO membership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Presenter Phillip Schofield says he has “lost everything” after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship. And one person in particular – Belfast born bruiser Eamonn Holmes is giving no quarter to his former colleague, and professional rival, making accusation after accusation against the self-confessed serial liar. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Aine Toner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phillip Schofield's admission to an affair with a much younger employee on This Morning has opened up a whole new discussion around the ITV show's working environment. Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Mel FinnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Callaghan, one of the Birmingham Six, who was wrongly jailed for IRA bombings has died at the age of 93. Why was he framed for the pub attacks which killed 21 people and injured 182? And who really planted the IRA's bombs?Host: Siobhán Magure. Guest: John DowningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In percentage terms the Republic of Ireland spends less on defence on than any other county in the EU, even Malta and Luxembourg. Ireland has no military radar, no fighter planes and for a maritime nation – very few ships. And Ireland’s Defence Forces are shrinking fast – twice as many people leave than are recruited every year. In part one of a three-part series - Ciarán Dunbar spoke to Independent TD Cathal Berry – on NATO, neutrality and if Ireland’s military can deal with current threats and even a potential united Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seven men have been remanded in custody after being charged with the attempted murder PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell. A court has heard that the gang alleged to have tried to kill him involved both dissident republicans and non-paramilitary linked criminals. DCI Caldwell had investigated both. Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Allison Morris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s been a profound change in NI politics. Sinn Féin has surged to new levels of support but the DUP held their ground in the local government elections. But for the first time - the number of nationalist voters is greater than the number unionists. How did this come about and what does all this mean for the future of our politics, culture and society? Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests: Sam McBride and Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning: today's episode contains content some listeners may find distressing. Earlier this month, Nicola Gallagher wrote a Facebook post detailing serious domestic abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her former husband and GAA manager, Rory Gallagher. Rory, who managed Ulster champions Derry has since resigned, after the reaction to Nicola’s post. It has since emerged that Nicola's father sent five emails in total containing the allegations to Derry GAA between April and July last year. However, despite being listed on their website, the email address has been deactivated. What has been both the public and the GAA's reaction to the allegations? Host: Fionnan Sheahan Guest: Rodney EdwardsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Laverty’s brother, Robert, was killed by the IRA in 1972. Robert was an RUC officer and was just 18-years-old. Shane tells Robert’s story because he does not want his brother to be forgotten. This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Hallawell was just 13 when his father, John, was shot dead by the IRA in 1983. John was an RUC officer and was 35 years of age. David Hallawell reflects on his father’s life and how his family had had to cope with his death. This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Finlay’s father, Ronnie, shot dead in front of him, his brother and his mother. Bryan was just 10-years-old, he thought his father would be safe as he had left the UDR, but Ronnie was gunned down on a farm in 1991. This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serena Hamilton was just seven and a half when the IRA murdered her father in 1977. He as a part-time UDR man, but he was killed at his place of work, out of uniform and unarmed. David Graham was just 38-years-old. His murder had a huge impact on Serena. This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Kielty will replace Ryan Tubridy as host of RTE’s the Late Late Show. But what do we know about the Dundrum native and how important is it for RTÉ to get this right? Host: Fionnan Sheahan. Guests: Melanie Finn and Samantha McCaughren.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people believe that they could never be brainwashed into a cult or be totally enthralled by a cult leader, but it is believed that thousands of people find themselves in that situation every year. Ian Haworth never imagined that he would fall for it, he never thought he would lose his mind and freedom to cult – but that is what happened. He told Ciarán Dunbar his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerard Mackin is the six-foot-tall gangland enforcer who is feared from the Falls to Limerick That is not surprising when you consider he was convicted of nailing another person to a floor – with a nail gun. He has been in the Continuity IRA and in INLA. He was given a one-million-euro contract by the Kinahan crime clan to take out their arch-rival Gerry Hutch. Born in west Belfast, Gerard Mackin’s crime CV is formidable and his earned him the reputation as one of the most violent criminals in Ireland. The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris tells his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nationalists have made up the largest block on Belfast City Council in recent years but there have been momentous changes. The so-called ‘others’ - parties who do not describe themselves as unionist or nationalist – have become a major force and indeed kingmakers on the council – can they build on that in the local elections? Andrew Madden joins Ciarán DunbarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nationalists are in the majority on Derry and Strabane Council and recent elections have seen the SDLP and Sinn Féin neck and neck as they battle it out for dominance. But there is also a strong unionist electorate in the area, and parties such as Alliance and People before Profit have been gaining strength in the district. Sunday World journalist Ciaran O’Neill spoke to Ciarán Dunbar from Derry with his take on issues, battles and personalities of this campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The words of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ are known far and wide. The story of a poor Irish convict and how he ‘stole Trevelyan’s corn’ is synonymous with the Irish Famine. Now descendants of people who profited off the slave trade and who want to atone – are also recognising Trevelyan’s treatment of the Irish.Presenter Siobhán Maguire is joined by Irish Independent political correspondent, John Downing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whilst people do vote on local issues in Northern Ireland council elections, constitutional politics always plays a role. Nationalism, unionism and those who don’t describe themselves as either will fight it out for council seats. How are things shaping up for the parties, what tactics will they employ, and what are the issues they have chosen to fight the election on? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Peter Donaghy, a data analyst with a keen interest in politics, and by Lee Reynolds, formerly Director of Policy for the DUP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is a rare day in Northern Ireland which does not see a sectarian incident making the headlines. Sectarian hate crime, flags ripped down, election candidates sharing sectarian content, candidates attacked or threatened, keep Irish out signs, flags commemorating loyalist paramilitary boss, offensive singing... the list goes on and on. Will sectarianism ever go away? Can it get better or are we just stuck with it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by political journalist Aoife-Grace Moore and political activist Richard Garland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As King Charles III is crowned the latest Belfast Telegraph / Lucid Talk polling shows that just 42% of people in NI support the monarchy. 50% say they either oppose it or are so disconnected from it that they see even a question about it as irrelevant. What could Charles III mean for the future of the monarchy and the United Kingdom? Bill White from Lucid Talk and the commentator Alex Kane join Ciarán Dunbar to discuss Charles, crown, and country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Lucid Talk polling for the Belfast Telegraph reveals Sinn Féin remains the party with the biggest support. But the DUP have closed the gap – backed by unionist support for their boycott of Stormont over Brexit arrangements. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Bill White, managing director of LucidTalk, and commentator Alex Kane to take a good look at the stats just weeks out from the council elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She was a 32-year-old mother-of-four. Her death at the hands of teenage female members of the UDA was one of the most shocking of the Troubles. Ann Ogilby was beaten to death with bricks and sticks in a Sandy Row loyalist 'romper room' in 1974, all over the petty jealousy of a local women’s UDA boss. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter, Andrew Madden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A third senior member of the IRA's notorious 'Nutting Squad' is now suspected of working with the British. How did this group, who had access to some of the IRA's most guarded secrets become so riddled with double agents?Presenter Kevin Doyle is joined by Allison Morris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An estimated million tons of illegal waste lies buried just a few hundred metres from the edge of Derry and just five metres from the river which supplies its water. It is one of the biggest environmental crime scenes in the UK. Sam McBride tells Ciarán Dunbar the full story and how the authorities refuse to act. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stealing lemonade at the age of 9, being locked up in Mountjoy prison at the age of 15, to masterminding some of the country’s biggest heists in his twenties – we look at the life and crimes of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch. The 'Monk' walked free from court after being acquitted of the gangland murder of Kinahan associate David Byrne in 2016.Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Paul WilliamsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The brazen Regency attack in February 2016 marked the beginning of a gangland war on a scale never before seen on the streets of Dublin, with a death toll that would eventually reach 18. While much has been said about that fateful day, there's one journalist who is uniquely qualified to speak about it - because he was there. As the verdict looms in the trial of Gerry 'the Monk' Hutch, Irish Independent News Correspondent Robin Schiller shares his first-hand account of the attack and its aftermath. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall is serving his sentence for facilitating the murder of David Byrne. We look at the rise and fall of the state's star witness in the notorious Regency trial, and ask if the country's most popular party, Sinn Féin can shake off his association? Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Fionnán Sheahan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that Mo Mowlam wanted Wimbledon to become the Belfast Dons and bring Premier League football to Northern Ireland? It never happened but peace did bring Ice Hockey to the city. But it hasn’t been plain sailing, the Good Friday Agreement exacerbated the Republic of Ireland/Northern Ireland football eligibility row with several young players from a nationalist background opting to play under the tricolour. Steven Beacom, Declan Bogue and Jonathan Bradley join Keith Baille. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.