The BelTel

Internment was a key event in the history of the Troubles; In an effort to deal with increasing violence Stormont and the British Government decided to introduce internment. Almost 2,000 people were interned up until its end in December 1975 – imprisoned without a fair trial. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Dr Peter McLoughlin and by Dr Martin McCleery.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The assassination of US President JFK in November 1963 shocked the world and has inspired conspiracy theories for over 60 years. President Trump has ordered the release of classified files from the period, which have revealed that the CIA kept files on both Ireland and the UK’s military intelligence services, despite being close allies. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Abdullah Sabri and Ulster University lecturer in international history Dr Robert McNamara.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One year ago, 29th of March, journalists began to realise that a massive political story was breaking - -the DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson had deleted his website and social media accounts. Then a statement emerged from the DUP, Donaldson had resigned and had been suspended from the party after being charged with historical sexual offences. Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was also facing criminal charges – all of which they both strenuously denied. How did that day play out, what was the DUP reaction and how have they DUP handled it since?  Belfast Telegraph Political Editor Suzanne Breen joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Captain Robert Nairac was meeting an informer when he was abducted and murdered, secret military documents indicate. Those files, discovered by the Belfast Telegraph’s Sam McBride, also show that the Ministery of Defence was desperate that that fact would not be revealed, so desperate that it would rather his killers walked free from court than answer questions about what he was up to. Robert Nairac was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1977. Since his disappearance, he has become a mythical figure shrouded in secrecy and rumour. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to reveal some of what he has found in London’s Kew archives.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Conor McGregor to Andrew Tate, why are fans and prominent figures in the MMA and sports-combat world embracing extreme politics? Are teenage boys in the sights of the far right? And what threat does the manosphere pose to society?Host: Ellen Coyne             Guest: Dave Hanratty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary wants a two-drink airport limit as his airline threatens a clampdown as it tries to recover losses against disruptive passengers. Many of us simply love ‘airport pints’ but alcohol is a major source of trouble on planes. There have been a plethora of incidents involving air rage and disruptive passengers in recent years, some resulting in criminal convictions and even emergency landings. Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid and Belfast Telegraph columnist Fionola Meredith join Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin secondary school Coláiste Éanna has been embroiled in controversy after it was claimed online that one of its teachers is the notorious GAA catfish. Teacher Niamh Farrell denies being the catfish who deceived at least 40 people, including multiple Ulster GAA players. But an investigation at the school found that she confided in its principal that she was the catfish. She has now won an injunction to stop the school disciplining her.   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Irish Independent’s Ellen Coyne.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NI21 appeared to many as a great idea. But the enthusiasm and positivity did not last long and the party’s collapse into chaos was a spectacular one. Just a day before the party’s first electoral test in 2014 – the party decides that they are now agnostic on the issue of the border, it was then torn apart by controversy and infighting. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to talk about how the wheels came off NI21, where the party’s leaders are now, and if a liberal unionist party could ever work.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NI21 – A party that sought to change the direction of a century of unionist politics but ended in disaster. Two charismatic Ulster Unionist MLAs – Basil Mccrea and John McAllister - quit their party in 2013 for pastures new. But following a last-minute decision to become agnostic on the border, sexual misconduct allegations against its leader, and a host of other fiascos, things quickly fell apart.   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to talk about what NI21 believed in, who the big personalities involved where, and if the party was always destined to end the way it did.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosemary Nelson died in March 1999 after a bomb exploded under her car. The Red Hand Defenders took responsibility. High-profile clients like IRA man Colin Duffy and the Garvaghy Road Residents’ association had made her a target for sectarian animosity. It was alleged she had been threatened by RUC officers.   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by co-author of the book, ‘Who Killed Rosemary Nelson?’ Neil Root and Sunday Life editor Martin Breen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An unlawfully at large Magilligan Prisoner with four names is to face a court in Rhode Island. Timothy O’Reilly, also known as Elijah Gavin, Timothy Kelly, or Elijah Thomas, was arrested in New York in January on charges of conning over $800,000 dollars from a 78-year-old woman. He has been on the run since 2022 after failing to return to Magilligan Prison after a temporary compassionate release – at the time he was facing charges over an attempt to trick another elderly woman out of £40,000. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday World’s Eamon Dillon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerard Conway was last seen in Cookstown in 2007. The 32-year-old father-of-one was recorded on CCTV at a bank in the town on the 25th of January. He was officially reported missing by his family on 13th of February. Despite searches, he has never been seen since. What happened to Gerard remains a mystery, but the coroner is satisfied he is dead. An inquest has heard from family, friends and witnesses. Several of them, believed that there is a possibility that he had been murdered.   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The PSNI have broken its silence on claims that it spied on journalist Donal MacIntyre, who is investing the death of teenager Noah Donohoe.  The Chief Constable Jon Boucher says that “No Journalistic material was viewed, recorded, or sought by the PSNI”. He says that the PSNI only accessed information that was publicly posted on two X accounts. The PSNI also now denies breaking into the investigative journalist’s car – after they initially refused to comment. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride, who has been following the story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New IRA is in secret peace negations with the British and Irish governments. But the group’s leadership, who were previously arrested in an MI5 sting, is understood to be at loggerheads with hardliners over whether they should abandon their armed campaign. The New IRA is currently the most active of the dissident groups and is responsible for at least seven murders. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris, who broke the story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tragic and highly unusual nature of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe’s death in 2020, along with criticism of the police search for him, had led to substantial public concern, speculation, and anger. Two years ago, investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre began investigating the disappearance and the circumstances around it. A source has now told the Belfast Telegraph that as Mr MacIntyre began his work, the PSNI moved to put him under significant online surveillance. He says he is “disappointed but not shocked” at the PSNI allegedly spying on him.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride, who broke the story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist Martin Dillon disputes the ending of the ‘Say Nothing’ tv show depicting the murder of Jean McConville. In his new book ‘The Sorrow and the Loss: The Tragic Shadow Cast by the Troubles on the Lives of Women’, he writes about people like Caroline Moreland, shot as an informer just weeks before the IRA ceasefire – he believes Martin McGuinness must have known about it. Mairead Farrell killed by the SAS in Gibraltar despite being well-known to the security services also features in the book. Martin Dillon joins Ciarán Dunbar, to talk about his latest work.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alliance was founded in 1970. Originally a strongly pro-union party before becoming agnostic on the border. 55 years later the party still exists and still seeks, as it would see it, to unite Northern Ireland. Who founded the party and why, what challenges has it faced, and how did it go from supporting the union to being agnostic on the question that dominates our politics? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Professor Jon Tonge.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzanne Breen joins Ciarán Dunbar to go through the Belfast Telegraph’s latest LucidTalk polling, including the narrowing gap between support for the union and a united Ireland, Sinn Féin’s decision to decline this year’s White House visit, and potential pay rises for MLAs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are fears of further bloodshed after an attempt on the life of a dissident republican in west Belfast. Taxi driver Sean O’Reilly was shot in the shoulder in Poleglass on Sunday. The shooting comes amid an escalating feud between factions of Óglaigh na hÉireann, better known as ONH. So far, the tensions have played out with graffiti and accusations on social media. But this shooting has sparked fears of retaliation.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph security correspondent - Allison Morris.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Hampton was a nomadic millionaire famously described by Leo Varadkar “a vagabond who lived in a caravan”. Hampton left most of his fortune to Sinn Fein. Unsurprisingly – the party were happy to take the money, and equally unsurprisingly their rivals were quick to criticise that, especially given that the money went north. Now Sinn Féin is set to take in over £80k after a derelict cottage in County Carlow was found to belong to Hampton. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Andrew Madden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrity conman Jay Cartmill is facing prison after pleading guilty to 46 new fraud charges, taking his total number of criminal convictions to more than 200. Cartmill, who told Stephen Nolan in 2015 that he was changing his ways, has confessed to masterminding another scam which is believed to total close to £1m. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twelve people died when the IRA fired bombed the La Mons House hotel on the 17 February 1978. Scores were injured, some horrifically. The Provisional IRA claimed responsibility for the attack, it apologised for the deaths - claiming the bombers had planned to give adequate warning – but were thwarted by a broken phone box. Journalist Ivan Little’s first shift as a news editor was on that day and has worked on the story ever since – he joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell the story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Korea is one of the world’s most secretive states – known for its dictators who are treated like gods and an iron-clad grip on their citizens. Back in 1988, six members of the Official IRA made their way to North Korea to receive state of the art training – some were expelled from the country after a drunken brawl. The unusual alliance came as secretary general of the Irish Workers Party, Sean Garland, allegedly laundered millions of fake dollars for the Kim dynasty. Olivia Peden is joined by journalist and author John Sweeney, who has visited the strange nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 years after its emergence, the PSNI is still less than one third Catholic and the numbers attempting to join are according to the Chief Constable "below what's needed". Its latest recruitment campaign attracted a total of 3,500 applications but only 27% are perceived to be Catholic. The PSNI was born out of the Patten reforms of the old RUC but the changes which reforms brought about were painful for many who saw them as a betrayal. The controversial 50/50, Catholic / Protestant recruitment policy was seen as discrimination against Protestants. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar to explain the background of the PSNI and the current difficulties it faces.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Coleraine pensioner, who uses a mobility scooter, was shot five times in the arms and legs by the UDA. But what possible excuse would the loyalist paramilitaries have for carrying out such a heinous act? The attack came just 48 hours after the PSNI had raided a brothel in the town which it publicly connected to the UDA. That brothel was run by Bulgarian pimps and police say they were paying protection money to loyalists. The two events appear to be connected. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life's Ciaran Barnes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Methodist College Belfast’s insurers have been stung for £50,000 after a Carryduff boy sued over hazing at rugby camp. The boy was allegedly forced to strip naked and have his head shaved. Gabriel McConkey also claims he also witnessed other boys perform acts on a sex toy. He was also filmed in what the family say were “degrading” videos which left him “traumatised”. The school has apologised and has reviewed how such trips are supervised. What is hazing and does rugby have a particular problem with it?  Belfast Telegraph sports reporter Adam McKendry joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It all began in December, when an ex-girlfriend of Irish independent journalist John Meagher sent him screenshots of a fake dating-app profile using a photo of him. This would lead him on an extraordinary journey to find out who his catfish was – the answer to which would shock everyone involved. Host: Ellen Coyne. Guest: John Meagher Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Declan Morgan was formerly Northern Ireland’s most senior judge. The Londonderry man now heads the Legacy Commission. He describes the role not only as one of helping families get the truth about how relatives died but also about revealing the reality of political violence and the Troubles.  Sir Declan tells the Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride he won't flinch from naming those behind the atrocities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Big Brother contestant Seány O’Kane has been denied entry to Russia. O’Kane’s the owner of a popular Telegram platform for foreigners in Russia named ‘Moscow Pals’. Seany O’Kane has lived and worked in the country for years but was turned back from Moscow Airport before Christmas.  Moscow Pals also has a channel dealing with financial questions arising from how to extract finances from Russia. The Russian authorities take a keen interest in it.   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Jason Corcoran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert McCartney was murdered by members of the IRA 20 years ago, in January 2005. He died after being stabbed in the street outside a bar in Belfast, near the the Markets area. Like many other murders, the IRA hoped that it would eventually blow over, but it did not, it became an international news story and a political nightmare for Sinn Féin - all due to the tenacity of his sisters.  Two of them tell Suzanne Breen what they thought of the subsequent criminal trials, and if they think they were used by politicians. This podcast was first published in March 2023.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In January 2024, opponents of the then DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, and the deal he struck with the government over post-Brexit arrangements put together a political plot - ‘Operation Torpedo’ - Its aim, to wreck the proposed deal. The wire-tapping and subsequent live-tweeting of a supposedly secret meeting caused a sensation. The key figure in the scheme was loyalist Jamie Bryson. Now The BelTel can reveal more details about the ‘operation’ and the number of people involved. Guest: Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rev Harold Good witnessed the IRA decommissioning their arsenal of weapons. He facilitated secret talks at vital points during the Peace Process. In his new book he reveals his role as a back channel between the DUP and Sinn Féin.  He joins Ciarán Dunbar to discuss his role as a peacemaker, his experiences with Ian Paisley and his extraordinary friendship with Martin McGuinness.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A woman dubbed ‘The GAA catfish’ is now the subject of an official police probe after the PSNI received a complaint alleging harassment. The infamous catfish, who is believed to be from Armagh, is believed to have deceived up to 40 people including a number of Ulster GAA players. Who is the GAA catfish, how did she trick so many county players, and why did they fall for it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Niamh Campbell and Kurtis Reid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newtownards man Paddy Mayne was an unconventional soldier – a founder member of the SAS. He is one of the central characters in the BBC’s hit war drama, SAS: Rogue Heroes But there is much controversy over how he has portrayed, foul mouthed, thuggish and with a very dodgy accent. Military historians in particular, say that’s not how he was.   And this publicity has once again brought old questions to the fore – why was Mayne never given the Victoria Cross? And even, should he be given the honour posthumously?    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Andrew Madden.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood to start legal action against the Tate brothers over social media posts aimed at her. Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are self-professed ‘Alpha Males’ and now aspiring politicians with their own ‘Bruv Party’. This spat comes as Elon Musk called Labour MP Jess Phillips a ‘Rape Genocide Apologist’. Meanwhile, as Donald Trump returns to the White House Mark Zuckerberg says Meta is going more ‘Masculine’. How did the Tates get so much influence and are the ‘tech bros’ really that much of a threat to democracy?  Kurtis Reid and Margaret Canning join Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HMS Maidstone, an ex-Royal Navy Ship, was used in the early 1970s to hold internees. In January 1972, a group of IRA prisoners swam 270 meters through an ice-cold Belfast Lough in a bid to escape, greasing themselves in butter to squeeze out of the ship’s portholes. They then hijacked a double-decker bus before slipping across the border, humiliating the authorities. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by James Durney, author of ‘Jailbreak: Great Irish Republican escapes’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty-four days after John George was reported missing in Spain, a body was found. The father-of-two from west Belfast had travelled to Alicante in mid-December for a holiday, but worried family when he failed to return home for Christmas. The Belfast Telegraph can now reveal that Mr George’s return flight was booked in the days following his death. Allison Morris, who was investigating the disappearance, joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fierce clash between GAA president Jarlath Burns and former Derry manager Rory Gallagher has led to the threat of legal action and a split in public opinion. Was Burns right to raise his concerns about Gallagher’s potential appointment to a new gig? Kevin Doyle is joined by Colm Keys, Fionnán Sheahan, and Tessa Fleming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unionist unity is an idea often proposed but has never seemed to progress. But now, The Belfast Telegraph can reveal secret DUP-UUP unity talks were held 18 months ago. Why did these talks take place, who was there, and could the idea of unionist unity come to fruition? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by The Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Christmas the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland made available papers which were previously classified. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar to reveal his discoveries, including new details of Ian Paisley’s relationship with developer Seymour Sweeney, an ambitious plan to dam Strangford Lough, and the DUP’s discomfort with sex education booklet for children that included “activities too foul to describe”.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 after his execution. Ralph Reigel from the Irish Independent joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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 and author Malachi O’Doherty. This episode was originally published in July 2024.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 editor Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.