The BelTel

An ex-partner of Natalie McNally has told a court that he did not kill the Co Armagh woman.  Ms McNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed at her home in Lurgan on December 18 2022. On his third and final day of evidence, the witness shouted “you killed her” in an angry courtroom outburst at Stephen McCullagh, who stands accused of her murder.  Her partner, Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies the murder charge.  Allison Morris is covering the case for the Belfast Telegraph.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former partner of Natalie McNally was arrested last week on suspicion of making threats to kill a woman he had been seeing at the time of Ms McNally’s death, court has heard. The anonymous ex-boyfriend of Ms McNally told the court he reset his phone to factory settings after learning detectives were at his home in connection with the murder investigation, claiming he did so because he had cannabis in his home. Yesterday while giving evidence after he looked at murder accused Stephen McCullagh and shouted “you killed her”. Allison Morris was in court.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pathologists at the inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe have agreed that his cause of death was drowning, with no indication of assault. All three pathologists agreed there was “no positive evidence” of toxicological contribution to Noah’s death, but this could not be excluded because of the limitations on toxicological analysis. Liam Tunney joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early hours of December 3, 1995, a small aircraft vanished over the Mediterranean. On board was Belfast-born engineer Desi Boomer, travelling home from Libya’s oil fields to Northern Ireland via Malta. Instead of welcoming him home, Desi’s wife Mandy received a visit from two RUC officers telling her the plane had disappeared. Initially treated as a routine aviation accident, the case of Piper Lance 9H-ABU has since become a long-running mystery, with allegations of negligence, espionage, and claims of hostage taking. Abdullah Sabri speaks to Desi’s brother Mark about dealing with his unexplained loss, unanswered questions, and what he thinks could have happened.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of Stephen McCullagh for the murder of Natalie McNally is continuing at Belfast Crown Court. In court today, a former partner of the murder accused gave evidence. The woman alleged that McCullagh had ‘recorded’ counselling sessions after she had suffered a stillbirth. She also said she withdrew a 2019 police statement relating to an alleged assault by McCullagh.  Natalie McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed at her home on December 18, 2022. Mr McCullagh denies any involvement with the murder. Olivia Peden is joined by Allison Morris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe has concluded its sixth week. Today in court the jury was shown a transcript of anonymous phone call involving man selling schoolboy’s possessions. On Wednesday, Sergeant Hutchings, a leading officer in the search for Noah, faced questions over whether police actions had delayed the identification of the culvert where the teenager was found. Hutchings said He “would’ve done anything" to find the teenager alive. Olivia Peden is joined by Liam Tunney.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the main suspects in the murder of west Belfast man John George has been shot dead in the Costa Blanca. Michel Maly, a former soldier from the Czech republic, was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday morning in Torrevieja in the Alicante region of Spain. He had been on bail in connection with the murder of father-of-two John George, whose body was discovered in January 2025 – 24 days after he was reported missing. Olivia Peden is joined by Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A man who was abused at a so-called ‘Christian nightclub’ has accused the Presbyterian Church and the PSNI of failing him and other potential victims. Ross Hunter, now 39 years old, says he was sexually abused by his cousin Jonathan Hyndman, who was a youth leader in a co. Londonderry church in the 1990s. Hyndman, who became a policeman in the 2000s, was suspended from duty after a criminal investigation was launched but took his own just days later. The victim has accused PCI of “trying to keep abuse buried”. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Brett Campbell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of Stephen McCullagh for the murder of 32-year-old Natalie McNally has entered its second week. Today in court a transcript was read out of McCullagh’s first interview with police, where he said Natalie was “having problems with her ex”. Ms McNally was killed at her home in Lurgan, suffering fatal injuries in what has been described as a “prolonged attack”. McCullagh (36) denies murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. Last week footage of the movements of a ‘person of interest’ was played to the court. Niamh Campbell was joined by Allison Morris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty years ago this week, Willie Frazer's planned ‘Love Ulster’ march ended in some of the worst riots ever witnessed in Dublin city centre. So how did a bright and busy Saturday afternoon descend into violence, disorder and chaos? We hear a first-hand account from a journalist who reported on the scene.Host: Fionnán Sheahan | Guest: Neil Fetherstonhaugh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Individuals who ‘inserted themselves’ into the search for Noah Donohoe caused difficulties for police, the inquest into the 14-year-old's death has heard.  On Wednesday it was revealed that more than 100 volunteers helped search for the schoolboy. One of those volunteers showed he could put his whole body through the bars leading to the culvert. It was also said in court that a resident of the Northwood Road area ‘couldn’t see any sign’ that someone entered the culvert where Noah Donohoe’s body was found. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of the man accused of murdering Natalie McNally is continuing in Belfast. 36-year-old Stephen McCullagh of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies murdering Ms McNally. She was fifteen weeks pregnant when was killed at her home in Lurgan in December 2022. On Tuesday, the state pathologist outlined the injuries she sustained in a prolonged attack – including defence wounds as she tried to fight off her attacker.  On Wednesday, the jury heard that experts from the PSNI’s cyberteam determined McCullagh’s six-hour stream on YouTube was not in fact live at all but had been recorded some days before. The crown’s case is that this constituted a false alibi.  Allison Morris was in court.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police received an anonymous tip-off that Daryl Paul had Noah Donohoe's backpack, the inquest into the 14-year-old's death has heard.  The inquest also heard that there “is categorical acceptance that Mr Paul would not have interacted with Noah during his journey from south to north Belfast”. Noah’s naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast, six days after leaving home on his bike. The inquest is now in its fifth week of hearing evidence. Liam Tunney is covering for the Belfast Telegraph  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The murder of a pregnant woman in Co Armagh a week before Christmas in 2022 has been described in a Belfast court as “planned, calculated and pre-meditated”. 32-yearold Natalie McNally was 15 weeks’ pregnant when she was attacked and killed in her Lurgan home. 36-year-old Stephen McCullagh, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has denied her murder. The prosecution set out its case on Monday. Allison Morris, the Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent, reports.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seamus Culleton and his harrowing story of life inside an ICE detention centre in Texas made a big impact in Ireland. The Kilkenny man quickly gained the sympathy of Ireland’s public and politicians, only for the tide to suddenly turn as new developments emerged. So, how did Seamus Culleton go from “perfect victim” to publicly scrutinised? And is Micheál Martin likely to push Donald Trump’s immigration buttons when he visits the White House next month?  Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Niall Donald   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Don’t call Jeffrey Epstein a paedophile’ – that was the demand of a top NI lawyer to a London newspaper in 2011.   Paul Tweed was brought in to try and limit the damage to the sex-offender's reputation after he was released from prison.   The Belfast solicitor is one of the best-known libel lawyers in the UK and Ireland.    He has told the Belfast Telegraph that he “categorically rejects the suggestion that he acted in any way inappropriately”, saying he acted within his professional and regulatory obligations.  The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar in the studio.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Vehicles believed to be unmarked police cars arrived at his home in Sandringham this morning, where he had been living following his departure from Windsor. The former prince was stripped of his title in October 2025 over his links to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, who denies all wrongdoing, turned 66 years old today. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by TRT World News Anchor Enda Brady.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former PSNI officer who searched the culvert in which the remains of Noah Donohoe were ultimately found has indicated felt the search operation had been as professional and as urgent as possible. He also said there had been “no suggestion or evidence he had ever gone into the culvert”. The inquest into the death of 14-year-old schoolboy Noah Donohoe is continuing in Belfast.   Liam Tunney is covering proceedings for the Belfast Telegraph.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conditions inside the pitch-black tunnel in which Noah Donohoe’s remains were found would be a very challenging place to survive if you were naked – a PSNI officer has told the inquest into the schoolboy’s death. 14-year-old Noah’s body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after the St Malachy’s College student went missing. On Tuesday – the jury also heard police say ‘Hundreds of local residents had gathered in quite an agitated state'     Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of the man accused of the murder of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally has begun.   32-year-old Natalie McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was stabbed to death at her home in December 2022.   35-year-old Stephen McCullagh, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has denied the charge.     The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris reports.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The North-Armagh crime outfit ‘The Firm’ will take matters into its own hands after convicted double killer Stephen Smith died in January. Smith passed away after a seizure at home but that followed him being injured in an attack in Armagh before Christmas. That incident is being linked to a rival crime gang based in Armagh City – and the Firm are not happy. Why not? The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Katy Radford MBE is Northern Ireland’s first ever director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. The office, created as part of the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ deal, says it aims to ‘promote and protect the cultural heritage of all communities in Northern Ireland’. Dr Radford was hired alongside Irish Language Commissioner Pól Deeds and Commissioner for Ulster Scots and Ulster British Identity Lee Reynolds – but she says she’s ‘not quite sure’ what their relationship entails yet. Having served as Equality Commissioner and the Vice-Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, she’s bringing extensive experience to her new role.  Dr Katy Radford MBE joins Ciarán Dunbar.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erika Kirk is rumoured to be visiting Northern Ireland as part of a tour to recruit young people to the conservative organisation founded by her murdered husband, Charlie Kirk. The organisation started out among conservative students on campuses across the US. It’s understood that former DUP MP Ian Paisley has been consulted about setting up a branch of the group Northern Ireland to carry forward their christian-right ethos. Could Turning point come to NI, what would it stand for, and would the group’s views resonate with young people in Northern Ireland?  Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph Journalists Brett Campbell and Kurtis Reid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stormont should not be treated as a “soft-play area” for politicians, the SDLP leader Claire Hanna has said in an in-depth interview with the BelTel podcast. In it, she gave her views on Irish unity, on Stormont reform and on the SDLP’s chances of recovery.  Claire Hanna became the leader of the SDLP unopposed in October 2024 having been an MP for south Belfast since 2019.   Many commentators say the SDLP has been more stridently pro-unity under Hanna’s leadership.  Does she agree?    Can she square making Northern Ireland work with not wanting it at all?   And can she turn around the SDLP’s long-term decline.   Claire Hanna, joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a rough week for prime minister Keir Starmer. First, the Labour leader offered a direct apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking network while declaring that “none of us knew the depth and darkness” of the relationship between Epstein and former British ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson. Then came the resignations of Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan. Can Mr Starmer hold onto his job? Meanwhile, the latest tranche of Epstein files contained references of a distinctly Irish nature – what are they, and what conclusions can we draw from them?  Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Enda Brady and Kim Bielenberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Bradford-Clarke grew up believing her mother Lesley had taken her own life before finding out the truth – her father was a murderer. She was told her mum Lesley took her own life, eventually being told it was part of a ‘suicide’ pact with a man, Trevor Buchanan – the husband of the woman who would eventually become a mother figure to her. That woman was Hazel Stewart, how had been having an affair with Lauren’s father, Colin Howell. 18 years after the deaths, Colin Howell walked into a police station and confessed to murdering them, implicating Stewart as his partner in crime. Dr Lauren Bradford-Clarke, now a criminologist, spoke with the Belfast Telegraph’s Claire Williamson.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former UVF man Mark Haddock has been released from prison in England. A serial killer, Haddock was previously the commander of the notorious Mount Vernon UVF gang. But the loyalist informer has been told he is a ‘dead man walking’ if he tries to return to home to Belfast – might he chance it? The Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Donohoe’s appearance on a leisure centre’s CCTV footage appeared to have been “missed” by police in the first “critical” 24 hours after he went missing, an inquest has heard. The inquest into the death of 14-year-old schoolboy Noah Donohoe continues today. Noah’s body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after the St Malachy’s College student went missing as he cycled to meet friends.  Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A witness says she heard two screams the night Noah Donohoe went missing. Another witness said he saw a torch light on his window in the early hours of the following morning. The evidence was heard as the inquest into the death of 14-year-old schoolboy continues in Belfast.  Liam Tunney reports.  Among the evidence heard on Wednesday:  Constable involved in early stages of missing person investigation begins evidence Inquest hears from resident who heard two screams on night Noah went missing Constable asked about why he specifically mentioned author Jordan Peterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A jury has cleared veteran Belfast business figure Frank Cushnahan of wrong-doing. He had been accused of dishonestly failing to disclose he was in line for millions of pounds from the sale of Nama’s Northern Ireland loans more than a decade ago.Cushnahan (84) may still face another charge, so what’s next for the Northern Ireland businessman? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe is continuing.  On Monday one witness testified she heard a “high-pitched scream” near to where Noah’s remains were found - on the night he went missing. Another said she was awoken by a noise at her back door of the handle being tried in the early hours of the morning. On Tuesday, the jury heard Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe had bought Noah a book by Jordan Peterson and that he had not put it down all week. A police witness reported she was worried it might have affected her son. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Key updates: First police witness to give evidence spoke of night he attended Fiona Donohoe's house when Noah reported missing  Inquest heard from witness who found Noah's phone Witness described hearing 'high-pitched scream' on night Noah disappeared Witness heard someone trying to access her home via back door in early hours of morning  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A County Down man’s holiday in Greece has ended in a conviction for fatal bodily harm. Trinity law graduate Joseph Patrick Connolly has been found guilty of killing a university of Limerick student after a confrontation on the island of Ios in the early hours of August 30th, 2021. 21-year-old Niall O’Brien died after being punched twice in the head.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Mark Tighe, senior news journalist with the Sunday Independent, who attended court in Greece. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Noah Donohoe inquest has been hearing from witnesses in the street near to where the 14-year-olds remains were found.  His body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after the St Malachy’s College student went missing as he cycled to meet friends. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Among the evidence heard on Thursday. Witness saw figure 'totally naked' and 'sitting down cycling' One person said that she thought at the time that that person she saw was “maybe drunk” Inquest hears storm drain area could only be accessed through locked gate or through nearby homes  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Eyewitness saw Noah Donohoe fall over handlebars of his bike the day he went missing – the inquest in his death has heard. Another witness recalled seeing Noah “with no top on”. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph, among the headlines from Thursday’s evidence: New inquest witness said he believed Noah had no top on when he saw him Witness says she 'didn't see' Noah suffer head injury 'It wasn't horrifically bad but he did go forward': Inquest hears Noah fell over bicycle handlebars  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six months into his career as a politician, Jon Burrows has become the leader of the UUP unopposed. It’s understood the former PSNI officer had overwhelming support from the party’s rank and file membership nut he remains a relative unknown to the media and to the wider public. Jon Burrows joined Ciarán Dunbar in the BelTel studio.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Noah Donohoe inquest has heard evidence from one of his friends, Charlie Rocks. 14-year-old Noah’s remains were found in a storm drain in North Belfast almost six-years ago. Mr Rocks said it was “clear Noah was going through something before he went missing” but he never appeared to be depressed. He also said Noah had never expressed an interest over storm drains prior to his disappearance. The jury was also shown footage of Noah cycling the day he went missing. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney, who is covering the inquest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of 14-year-old schoolboy Noah Donohoe is continuing in Belfast.    Noah’s remains were found in a storm drain in North Belfast almost six-years ago.   He had been missing from his home in south belfast for six-days.    The jury has been hearing evidence from his friends and head teacher.   Liam Tunney was at the inquest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sources say UDA enforcer Colin Simms is offering his services beyond his native South-East Antrim and is trying to get out of Carrickfergus. But UDA brigadiers want £10,000 up front before they take him on – despite Simms bringing a substantial criminal contact book with him.  The Sunday World’s Richard Sullivan reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a case which shocked the city, a 56-year-old Londonderry man has been jailed for preventing the lawful burial of his father. Bizarrely, John Garrett O'Sullivan of Culmore Road, had kept his father’s body in a fridge for days. Noel O'Sullivan, who was 86, died in July 2024, but the exact date and cause of death could not be verified. John Garrett O'Sullivan, who has a PhD but has never had a job or claimed benefits, pleaded guilty. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by court reporter, George Jackson. [Warning – some listeners may find some parts of this podcast disturbing]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe is underway in Belfast. Noah Donohoe’s body was found in a storm drain in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after the St Malachy’s College student went missing. The jury has been played the recording of the phone call Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe made to police on the evening he went missing and has heard her pre-recorded evidence. She said: Noah had been crying in his bedroom the day he left home Mother Fiona Donohue had “extreme concerns about his mental health”  She questioned if son's life could have been saved if 'right steps' taken by police   Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney is covering the proceedings.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Burrows is taking the leadership of the UUP unopposed after current deputy leader Robbie Butler confirmed that he would not be standing. Current party leader Mike Nesbitt has also said that any decision to replace him as health minister would “perhaps raise questions”. The DUP’s Gavin Robinson has wasted no time - invited his rival for talks, telling him to “set aside issues of the past” - but could ‘unionist unity’ ever really happen? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Unionist commentators Tim Cairns and Alex Kane and Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The right-wing dating site Whitedate.net, dubbed the ‘Nazi Tinder’, has dozens of members across Ireland. But only one of them mentions love as a motivation, many mention the need to “breed” for the “white race”. The site’s thousands of profiles were leaked online after a hack. A lonely Belfast man said he was looking for a “lady who has never been soiled by other races” and “a bride willing to have children, in order to stop the destruction of our people.” Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On St Patrick’s Day 2024, Gardaí made a grim discovery, the body of a young woman in a canal just outside Monaghan town. She was 23-year-old Kelly Marie Lynch, originally from County Fermanagh. A former PSNI detective who has investigated a number of prominent murders, including the 2020 killing of Katie Simpson by Jonathan Creswell, believes Kelly Lynch’s case should be upgraded to a murder investigation. Host: Fionnán Sheehan Guest: Catherine Fegan & James Brannigan  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A woman identified by Garda as the Enniskillen bombing IRA commander is living an ‘ordinary life’ in Fermanagh – reports have claimed. Twelve people died in the massacre which took place during a Remembrance Day service in 1987. Relatives of the victims, including Stephen Gault, who lost his father and was injured in the attack, say they are sickened by the allegation.   David O’Dornan spoke to Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern Ireland women say they are shocked after finding out their clothing was removed from legitimate photographs taken when they were children. The PSNI are investigating allegations artificial intelligence software was used to remove teenagers’ clothing. The story comes to light as the UK plans a law to make it illegal to create non-consensual intimate images.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent, Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern Ireland’s criminal defence barristers are on indefinite strike over pay.  The move will exacerbate delays in a system already notorious for how slowly it can operate but the lawyers say they have been left with no option.  Justice Minister Naomi Long says the strike is unnecessary and will have a "devastating impact on the justice system, particularly for victims".  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by criminal defence barristers, Michael Forde and Aoife Macauley, who put forward their case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former trusted adviser of US president Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, gave an interview to Politico, where he claimed that we are "going to have an Irish MAGA, and we’re going to have an Irish Trump”. Making it clear that some elements of the alt-right movement have set their sights on Ireland. Bannon’s statement begs a number of questions, such as how exactly would he and other MAGA influencers pull this off?  Tabitha Monahan is joined by Declan Lynch and Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the abduction of the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro the US now openly seeks to dominate the western hemisphere and to control its wealth. JD Vance says the US will now control Venezuela’s natural resources for its own benefit. Now the White house is considering seizing Greenland by force leaving Europe in a very awkward place.    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Danish journalist Tom Carstensen and by former journalist and RAF reservist Michael Cairns to discuss the impact on Europe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK government policy says it does talk to terrorists - but it was directly meeting loyalist ‘brigadiers’ - newly declassified files reveal. Revelations revealed in this year’s batch of files include that whilst the Government claimed not be talking to terrorists, they were happy to meet the UDA’s leadership in their capacity as so-called 'brigadiers’, how continuing IRA activity held back the peace process and who the DUP wanted to become a Lord.  Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At 34, Phillip Brett is one of Stormont’s younger MLAs and the North Belfast Assembly man has seen his profile grow since being elected to Stormont in 2022. He says much of his politics has been shaped by his close relationship with Nigel and Dianne Dodds, who he calls his ‘political mum and dad’. Philip Brett’s family life was torn asunder when his 19-year-old brother Gavin was murdered by the UDA in 2001 – he says he wants justice for his mum.  In an exclusive interview with The BelTel podcast, the MLA joined Ciarán Dunbar in the studio to talk politics, ambition and the work involved in being an MLA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.