The BelTel

“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 information.

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.

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, Professor Liam Kennedy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 the trial earlier this year. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the making of a film ironically titled ‘A Landscape of Lies’, Newry born actress Aoife Madden was joined by a wealthy Iraqi businessman to try their hand at making it on the big screen. But what appeared as a lifelong dream was really all about conning investors and the tax man out of millions. Madden (the niece of Sinn Fein Finance minister Conor Murphy) was part of a team which scammed HMRC £2.8 million to produce a movie which she falsely promised to have a star-studded cast. Kurtis Reid joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ex-Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle have been sentenced to nine months in custody for child sex offences. In one incident, he believed he was chatting online to a 12-year-old girl, who was actually a police decoy. The 42-year-old previously pleaded guilty to 14 charges. The case was one of a series of controversies which rocked Sinn Féin in recent months. Andrew Madden reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Enniskillen Bomb in November 1987 sent shockwaves across the world. An IRA bomb at a Remembrance Day service in the town killed 11 civilians, including three married couples. 63 people were injured, and a twelfth victim died after being in a coma for 13 years because of his injuries. No one has ever been convicted of the attack. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by former editor of the Impartial Reporter and author of ‘Enniskillen: The Remembrance Sunday Bombing’ Denzil McDaniel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has resoundingly won the US Presidency. He is now the oldest person to win the presidency, the only convicted felon to do so, and the only won to have incited an insurrection. But not of that matters now – the American people have spoken. How did the night play out, how surprised are we, and what does it mean for Northern Ireland and the Republic? Keith Bailie, Brett Campbell, Margaret Canning and Olivia Peden join Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loughinisland is a small parish in Co. Down. Its name has become synonymous with the infamous Loughinisland Massacre, when six were killed by the UVF in a pub while watching Ireland play Italy in the 1994 World Cup. Trevor Birney helped make a documentary about the murders – but in 2018, he was arrested by PSNI over material used in the film, alongside his colleague Barry Mccaffrey. Six years later, they’re at the center of a major tribunal against the authorities over keeping surveillance of local Journalists. He joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alf McCreary walked into the Belfast Telegraph on September 1, 1964 – and asked for a job. 60 years on, he's still writing for the paper. Alf’s career has given him many insights into our society and its divisions. He charted the evolution of the Rev Ian Paisley, and he wrote a biography of Gordon Wilson, whose daughter Marie was killed in the Enniskillen bombing.   He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar about his life in journalism.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UVF began the 1970s with a campaign to cleans Catholics and Catholic owned businesses from Protestant dominated areas. With the IRA’s campaign at its height, the UVF moved from targeting nationalist and moderate political figures to simple sectarian murder – many of its victims just teenagers. By the mid-70s a notorious group emerged from the UVF which brought the savagery of the troubles to a new level – the Shankill Butchers. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by author and historian Aaron Edwards.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in 1995, Fr Michael Kennedy took to the pulpit in Dungarvan, County Waterford to give his Sunday sermon. He warned locals that an “Angel of Death” was in their midst killing vulnerable men. What ensued sparked a global sensation.Host: Dave Hanratty, Guest: Ellen Coyne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander McCartney, from Newry, is one of the most prolific paedophile ‘catfishes’ the world has seen to date. A Judge said his crimes of “sadism and depravity” were “on a par with murder”. His actions led to the death of an innocent little girl, Cimarron Thomas, and subsequently, her father. Kurtis Reid was in court. Just a note to say – some listeners might find the contents of the episode of the BelTel disturbing.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The word ‘Incel’ is short for ‘involuntarily celibate’. They’re primarily men, who believe they’re doomed to be alone, blaming society, women, and sometimes themselves for their isolation. The explosion of the ‘Incel’ community online has led to multiple forums, chats and groups based on their beliefs, which have led to disastrous consequences. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Kurtis Reid and Olivia Peden, who went undercover on one of these forums.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kinahan cartel is Ireland’s most powerful crime gang, and one half of its most notorious gang war. After a failed hit on boss Daniel Kinahan, the cartel recruited a team of killers to retaliate against the Hutch gang. One of the men they hired was Estonian Imre ‘The Butcher’ Arakas – but the eccentric hitman was soon caught. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by crime editor with the Irish Sun and co-author of ‘Kinahan Assassins’, Stephen Breen, to tell the story of the Kinahan-Hutch feud, its victims and its hitmen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Féin controversies snowball as party member resigns after a portrait is damaged in Belfast City. Is the party suffering from a media pile-on before an election or a self-inflicted meltdown caused by a lack of professionalism? All this just before an election – one which might feature well-known crime figure Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Dublin based news reporter Gráinne Ní Aodha and commentator and politics lecturer David McCann to talk politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samuel ‘Uel’ Cooke was a prolific UVF hitman. Connected to at least six murders, including the killing of IRA Chief Brendan ‘Ruby’ Davison, his most heinous deed was the murder of innocent 26-year-old Catholic Anne-Marie Smyth. She had been attending a concert in east Belfast before being lured to a nearby house, where she was brutally beaten and killed by a UVF-led gang. Cooke died this month, aged 59. Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 24th March 1922, five men dressed in RIC police uniforms broke into the north Belfast home of well-known Catholic publican Owen McMahon. The men shoot and kill McMahon, along with four of his sons, and an employee of the family. What happened next changed the course of history on the Island of Ireland. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian and author Dr Edward Burke to explain why the murders changed so much.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Lou McDonald has been accused of orchestrating an “elaborate cover-up” after admitting didn’t divulge why former Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile resigned from the Seanad. The former Belfast Lord Mayor has now admitted he had resigned over inappropriate texts to a teen. What will all of this mean for the Republic’s looming election?  Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Irish Independent’s political editor – Philip Ryan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past six weeks, four women have been killed in NI, bringing this year’s total of alleged femicides up to six. At the time of recording, a further two deaths from this weekend are under investigation. Why is femicide so high in Northern Ireland, how does the PSNI deal with domestic violence here, and can anything be done? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 13 October 1994, six weeks after the IRA announced a ‘complete cessation’, the Loyalist paramilitary groups declared their ceasefires. The UVF’s Gusty Spence announced loyalist violence was over, in a step that is seen as one of the vital steps towards a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by former PUP leader Billy Hutchinson, Historian Aaron Edwards, and journalists Allison Morris, Mark Simpson, and Vincent Kearney.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 people died in the 2017 Manchester Bombing, and over a thousand were injured. Former TV producer Richard Hall has been in court for allegedly harassing victims of the bombing to show that the event was an ‘elaborate hoax’. He believes that the bombing was staged, and the people involved were ‘crisis actors’. What are they, and why do so many people believe in them?Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph journalist Kurtis Reid to find out why conspiracy theorists deny events like these.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle O’Neill faced the assembly and with the repeated use of the words “sorry” and “apologise” tried to extricate Sinn Féin from the mire of the Michael McMonagle controversy – is it enough? Claire Hanna has now officially taken charge of the SDLP, can she turn around the party’s fortunes? And does Mike Nesbitt have a similar task ahead of him as he returns to the UUP driving seat?   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Suzanne Breen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former-UDA man Jim Spence, who has always denied links with the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane, has sold his £275,000 house in West Belfast and fled to England. Billy ‘Beachball’ McCune, not believed to be a UDA member at all, has returned to his home stomping ground after making a deal with the UDA’s Jackie McDonald. Newtownards UDA boss Adrian Price has been in court following his failure to stop for a police checkpoint amidst a feud that ripped through North Down. The Sunday World’s Northern Editor, Richard Sullivan, reports on the recent dealings of this anarchic terror and crime group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle O’Neill says she’s “aghast and horrified” that two Sinn Féin press officers, including their top spin doctor, gave references to a former colleague then under investigation for child sex offices – both have now resigned. Michael McMonagle has now plead guilty to 14 charges despite earlier denials and failing to turn up in court on two occasions. Sinn Féin suspended him as soon as they learned of the investigation, but he later gained employment with the British Heart Foundation, having provided the references. Guest: Sam McBride  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former First Minister Arlene Foster has been advertising herself as a renewable energy expert at a cost of more than £10,000 a day. The Belfast Telegraph went undercover to get a quote for her services, the agency said that hiring the Baroness for a full day would cost “in the region of £10,000”. The decision to advertise her as a ‘renewable energy expert’ comes as a surprise to many due to her involvement in the RHI scandal. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the Troubles, Republicans ‘disappeared’ 17 people - murdering them, and secretly burying them. But the Provisional IRA and the INLA were not the first republicans, or indeed combatants in Ireland, to use this method, it started long before the Troubles.   Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc has spent over a decade researching the fate of ‘the disappeared’ and how this phenomenon came about . He joined Ciarán Dunbar.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A cruise ship which has been docked in Belfast for four months has been facing repeated faults, leaving 600 passengers stranded in Northern Ireland. Villa Vie Residences’ ship ‘Odyssey' gives passengers the chance to live full time on a cruise ship. Randy and Kit Cassingham sold their home to embark on the trip - they join Olivia Peden to give their opinions on Belfast, their first July marching season, and what they expect from life at sea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The LCC includes representatives of the UVF, UDA and the Red Hand Commando. A political row has developed following a decision by the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan to meet them. During that meeting the LCC demanded he halt plans to build an integrated Irish medium school in east Belfast. Supporters of ‘Scoil na Seolta’ say the language is for all, and so is the school. But for many loyalists, the school is unwanted, unneeded and unwelcome. Niamh Campbell told the story to Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As NI parties hold their annual conferences, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Suzanne Breen to answer some of the big questions. How did Gavin Robinson perform at his first DUP conference as leader? What’s behind Nigel Farage’s snub of Jim Allister? Would Keir Starmer back a Sinn Féin-endorsed border poll?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NI is fascinated by Eamonn Holmes – and that’s a fact. The Belfast-born broadcaster regularly features as one of the top Google searches in the region, with stories featuring Holmes bringing in a large audience. Following his split from wife Ruth, the 64-year-old has been spotted hanging out with 42-year-old relationship counselor Katie Alexander. Ciarán Dunbar is joined Áine Toner to explain what the man clearly has.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All unionist politicians condemn the intimidation of East Belfast GAA but some voice concerns over the GAA in general and the allocation of a local pitch to the new club. Security alerts at the Henry Jones Playing Fields disrupt sport and life in the area on a regular basis. How and why was the club formed, why do some people have a problem with it, and who’s behind the intimidation? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Liam Tunney, and by TUV councillor, Ron McDowell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Óglaigh na hÉireann’ means ‘young warriors of Ireland’. There are now fears that the struggle to claim the title and its history could spill over into violence in Belfast. The dissident republican group known as ‘ONH’ has split in to rival factions – with each side making bitter accusations against the other.  Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris, reports.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top former BBC Journalist Huw Edwards has avoided prison despite pleading guilty to making indecent images of children. The man who was once the BBC’s most senior news presenter was given a suspended six-month prison sentence. He will also be placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg to explain the sentence, which has divided the public.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last Troubles era prisoner has been released, but his victim’s family question if he is fit to return to society. Clifford McKeown was serving a minimum sentence of 24 years in Magilligan Prison for murdering taxi driver Michael McGoldrick in 1996. Mckeown shot the father-of-one as a twisted birthday gift to then Mid-Ulster UVF leader Billy Wright - ‘King Rat’. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday World’s Steven Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UDA is promising to hit back after its North Antrim boss was attacked by rival loyalists. Marcus Boreland, who denies any links to criminality, was left with a snapped ankle after band supporters broke loose from a parade and attacked him with their flutes, following the brigade’s feud with a faction from a nearby village. The LCC has rejected police demands for a meeting after loyalist Dee Stitt was arrested over online comments on recent race-related violence – raising new questions over its relevance amongst loyalist circles. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by The Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arlene Arkinson was 15 years old the last time she was seen alive. She disappeared in August 1994 after leaving Castlederg in County Tyrone to attend a disco across the border. She was last seen with convicted sex offender Robert Howard, who was released without charge for her murder. Today it was announced that the Gardaí have started a new search for her body in Donegal. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Andrew Madden  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

51 men have gone on trial in France, all accused of sexually assaulting the same woman over a 10-year period. 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot has been subjected to a decade of abuse by men who are aged between 26 and 74 years old. Her husband has plead guilty to repeatedly drugging her and inviting men into their home to sexually abuse her. Gisèle’s decision to waive her anonymity in the case has sent shockwaves across the globe. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Paris based journalist Catherine Field.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and wife Eleanor have pleaded not guilty to all charges of historical sex offences against them. The court in Newy also heard Mrs Donaldson has lodged an application to have two of her five charges withdrawn. Liam Tunney reports.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enoch Burke is back in Mountjoy prison after returning to the Christian Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath, despite being barred from the premises. His family and multiple international outlets say he is doing time because he’s a Christian standing up to the so-called woke ‘trans agenda’. Why exactly is Enoch Burke behind bars, and how much of his life could he end up spending there? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalist Shane Phelan, who has been following the story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former nurse Lucy Letby is serving a whole life sentence for the murder of 7 babies and the attempted murder of 7 others. But now there are calls, including one from former Tory Brexit minister David Davis, for her case to be re-examined. Are there valid reasons to question the evidence against her and could the case be reopened?   Kevin Doyle is joined by legal journalist and commentator Joshua Rozenberg.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kingspan has been heavily criticised in the final report into the Grenfell disaster. 72 people died in the 2017 blaze. The report found Kingspan and two other firms engaged in a deliberate strategy to mislead the market about their products. The Irish company produced only 5% of the tower’s combustible foam but has been accused of “knowingly” misleading authorities about the results of tests done on the product. Kingspan sponsors Ulster Rugby and Cavan GAA.    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Captain Nairac’ was an exceptional but eccentric British Army officer abducted and murdered by the IRA in May 1977. He was snatched from a pub car park in South Armagh – a place he had gone alone – posing as a Belfast Republican. A search is continuing for his body.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Alistair Kerr, author of ‘Betrayal: The Murder of Robert Nairac GC’  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oasis fans across the island were left angry, disappointed and waiting in digital queues of nearly three-quarters of a million people, as they tried to buy tickets for the Gallagher brothers’ reunion tour dates, in Croke Park next August.    Many would-be concert-goers were offered standard ‘in demand’ tickets for sums reaching close to £500, leaving many accusing Ticketmaster of ‘price gouging’ and of touting their own concert tickets.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Tyrone man has lost over £12,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after an account claiming to be his friend roped him into what was a supposedly ‘low risk’ investment. Last year over 5,000 investment scams like this were reported to the PSNI – amounting to over £20 million. Olivia Peden is joined by Kurtis Reid, who spoke to a victim of crypto fraud.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 25 years of what it termed ‘Armed Struggle’ and the ‘Long War’ , the Provisional IRA called a “complete cessation of military operations” on 31st August 1994 – 30 years ago. By that stage, the organisation was responsible for the deaths of 1,700 people. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalists Brian Rowan and Allison Morris, Former Belfast Telegraph Editor Ed Curran and historian Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood is to step down as SDLP leader. He has backed South Belfast MP Claire Hanna to take over the leadership of the party. Colum Eastwood, who has been leader for 9 years, said the "moment has come to step aside".  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Foyle reporter, Garrett Hargan.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Belfast Telegraph’s latest LucidTalk polling took Northern Ireland’s pulse on the levels of support for the parties, immigration and funding for the Casement Park rebuild. And after the resignation of Doug Beattie – is the UUP simply unleadable? Commentators David McCann and Sarah Creighton join Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.