The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The DUP's support has slumped disastrously – that's according to the latest Belfast Telegraph / LucidTalk polling. The dramatic fall in backing for the party comes in the wake of former leader Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction for child sex offences. Sinn Féin and the Alliance party have also seen a drop in their support. This is all good news for the TUV, the SDLP, and especially for the UUP. Meanwhile – the decision to drastically scale back the planned Casement Park GAA stadium – has irked many Sinn Féin supporters. Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor, Suzanne Breen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A “significant” bomb built for “catastrophic” damage, and a suspected plot to bring violence to the north-west of Northern Ireland. The foiling of an alleged New IRA plot to detonate a bomb was a stark reminder of the dissident republican activity that quietly continues on both sides of the border. At the heart of the case are two suspects: Simon O’Donovan (44), an employee at the National Museum in Collins Barracks, and Isobella Perrie Sullivan (25), a law student. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Ken Foy, crime correspondent at the Irish Independent, to look at how the plot was uncovered – and what comes next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In July 2000, a summer barbecue ended in unimaginable violence. Father-of-one Paul McCauley (29), alongside his two friends, were brutally beaten by a loyalist mob in the Chapel Road area of Derry, in what police described as an unprovoked sectarian attack. Paul never regained consciousness – spending almost a decade in care before dying from his injuries in 2015. Olivia Peden is joined by Senior Journalist with the Belfast Telegraph in Derry, Louise Doyle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last week in London the great and good of the political right arrived for a conference focusing on ‘saving the west’. The three-day CPAC event hosted a star-studded cast – from Nigel Farage, to Liz Truss, to Ian Paisley Jr. It also hosted conspiracy theorist and anti-vaccine speakers. At the ‘Winston Churchill Gala Dinner’ in the programme, one of the prizes was a stay at The Galgorm, in Co. Antrim. The link between the event which a conservative critic has deemed ‘Yankee-brained slop’ and the hotel which is home to the most expensive guinness in the UK appears to be the former north Antrim MP. The Galgorm resort and spa says that the prize is not an endorsement of the event. Olivia Peden is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode contains references to rape and sexual assault, and may not be suitable for everyone. Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, like to talk about male empowerment and freedom, yet both are currently shackled away from the outside world. Arrested last weekend by US authorities, the pair are unlikely to find that the confines of a Miami jail cell measure up to the lavish lifestyle they routinely flaunt online – but that’s their home for now. The reason? A volley of 38 new charges, including rape and sex trafficking, courtesy of the Crown Prosecution Service in the UK, with an extradition attempt to follow. The brothers now face a total of 59 charges, all of which they deny. So, where to now for Andrew and Tristan Tate? Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Isabella Kwai, reporter with the New York Times, to break down the complexities of the criminal investigation into the Tate brothers – and to question what made them such prominent public figures in the first place. This episode of The BelTel was created by our sister podcast, The Indo Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Andy Burnham has officially entered Downing Street, and has shook up the Labour Cabinet. In his maiden speech, the former mayor of Manchester has vowed “take power out of downing street, and carry it into every postcode in the land”. Ministers have been swiftly replaced, from the chancellor to Northern Ireland’s Secretary of state, with Welsh MP Chris Bryant replacing Hilary Benn. So what can Andy Burnham do for Northern Ireland? Olivia Peden is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The UDA chief behind the Craigyhill bonfire in Larne won’t answer questions about his knowledge of an unsolved murder. David Murray says he has “nothing to hide”. But - he might be feeling the heat after police launched a fresh appeal about the loyalist-feud killing of Andrew Cairns in Larne in 2000. Murray was initially charged with murdering the UVF man, who was beaten before bring shot in the head at an Eleventh Night bonfire. The charge was eventually dropped and Murray pleaded guilty to assault getting a suspended prison sentence. But there’s a question for the police... why did they pose for pictures with the so-called master bonfire builder - when they had named him as a UDA commander. Ciarán joined by John Toner from the Sunday Life and by the Belfast Telegraph’s John Laverty to discuss some of the pallets used in bonfires, if they are blue or red, they are private property – why do the cops ignore that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On Monday morning an horrific discovery was made in Ballymena - the remains of three people were found inside a house on the Old Cullybackey Road – a man, a woman and an eight-year-old girl. It is believed that the man murdered his wife and child before ending his own life, a year after a similar tragedy in Co. Fermanagh. Since 2017 there have been 13 women and children murdered in Northern Ireland by men who later took their own lives. This podcast discusses murder and suicide and might not be suitable for some listeners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The murder of firebrand politician Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through the British establishment, prompting fresh debate around the safety of public figures. An unapologetic straight-talking stateswoman, Widdecombe served as an MP for 23 years, and was famed for controversial outspoken views on abortion, gay rights and women’s issues. Despite her divisive nature, Widdecombe managed to win fans away from the political arena thanks to a memorable run on Strictly Come Dancing and other unlikely forays into reality TV. Now, as the investigation into her murder evolves into a terrorism probe, serious questions are being asked of the authorities in Britain, not least by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who called attention to the need for more money to be spent on security for public figures just days before Widdecombe’s death. On Tuesday evening, counter-terrorism police in the UK stated that the murder of Ann Widdecombe is officially recognised as a “targeted attack” while noting that it has “not been declared as a terrorist incident”. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by TRT World presenter Enda Brady to discuss the latest on the investigation, and to look at the sometimes contradictory life of Ann Widdecombe and an increasingly threatening climate for politicians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson earned massive sums over a successful career. But the Belfast Telegraph understands the now convicted pedophile's fortune is ebbing away – and that he still has a mortgage on his Dromore home. He has to pay a legal bill of half a million pounds – can he afford an appeal? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Long associated with the Orange Order, marching bands and bonfires – the Twelfth goes back a long way. But what is the origin of the celebrations, of the order itself and does the organisation have a future? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Dr David Hume. This episode of The BelTel was originally released in July 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
t’s fight week, and Conor McGregor has come out swinging. ‘The Notorious’ finally steps back into a UFC octagon this weekend for a main event match-up, and while some are questioning his physical prowess, his microphone game remains as brash as ever. Sat in front of the media once more, McGregor espoused his divine beliefs, proclaimed his innocence and once again weighed in on Ireland’s immigration debate. This weekend’s event will have plenty of eyes on it, but should Conor McGregor be allowed fight at all? Or granted a platform of this size to spread his views, for that matter? And why are American fans and fixtures so happy to assist in his rehabilitation tour? On this episode host Dave Hanratty is joined by sports and entertainment journalist Andy McCarroll to look at a much-criticised return to the octagon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summer has begun, and once again, controversies continue to surround bonfire season. A man has been arrested over the erection of a replica of a mosque on top of a bonfire in Moygashel with a loyalist source in the area warning that any attempt to move in on the bonfire will result in a ‘stand-off’. Paramilitary flags remain flying on streets and other bonfires across Northern Ireland just weeks after the PSNI were legally given powers to remove them, including banners in Antrim and Dungannon eulogising Loyalist Terror Chief Billy Wright. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast telegraph reporter Abdullah Sabri. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jeffrey Donaldson looks set to be investigated again after a further allegation of sexual assault on a woman in the DUP offices at Westminster. The young woman at the heart of the allegations says that the former DUP leader tried to get her to drink vodka shots in his office, that she refused to do, before he allegedly tried to kiss her on the mouth and put his hand up her skirt. The DUP has commissioned an investigation into who knew what and when, and if members failed to act, or turned a blind eye to Donaldson’s behaviour. Olivia Peden is joined by Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The trial for the murder of father-of-two John George is expected to begin in January 2027. The remaining suspect in the case, Newtownabbey man Johnny Smyth, is in a Spanish jail awaiting trial. A man who was occupying the villa where John George was last seen was stabbed in Lisburn City Centre last week - after previously suffering a knife attack in spain last year. Meanwhile, footage has emerged of wife of Johnny Smyth, Madison Allen , receiving multiple lacerations to her face from a man she is seen kissing just moments before. Belfast Telegraph Crime Correspondent Allison Morris joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Noah Donohoe inquest has been adjourned until later in the year following an “unprecedented” late-night sitting. Jurors were sent out on Tuesday to begin discussions about their verdict and had been deliberating for almost 25 hours. The jury of eight men and two women were asked to deliver a verdict on teen’s death, and were asked to cover “what police knew, when they knew it and what they did in response”. Court was adjourned until at least August or September. Gareth Hanna joins Belfast Telegraph Journalist Liam Tunney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1996, Peter Lavery's life changed overnight. The Short Strand man was earning £300 a week driving buses when he became one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever lottery winners, scooping up a £10.2 million. Nearly 30 years later, he's one of Belfast's best-known businessmen. Today, he's the founder of Titanic Distillers, bringing whiskey production back to the city for the first time in almost 90 years, despite giving up drinking after being given what he calls a health 'ultimatum'. He joined Cathy Martin to talk about working the day after winning the jackpot, legendary nights out, and if money really can buy you happiness. This edition of the BelTel is an episode of the Belfast Telegraph's business and lifestyle podcast, In Good Company - available wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two decades ago, a senior PSNI detective who had come from MI5 headquarters in London saw something he couldn’t believe – DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson entering a gay sauna. That story, which was revealed last week, has fed into speculation around what the police and intelligence services knew about Jeffrey Donaldson’s behaviour. It has now become clear that police were aware of the far more serious accusations of pedophilia against the former DUP leader before he led the DUP back to Stormont in January 2024 – just months before he was charged with historical sex offences. Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jeffrey Donaldson was an “unmitigated liar” and was living a double life while working in Westminster – according to former DUP MLA Jim Wells. In the days following Jeffrey Donaldson’s guilty verdict for child sex offences, more information has arisen about the disgraced MPs personal life – including affairs, the use of gay saunas, and drinking to excess. Former MLA and DUP member Jim Wells joined Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots has performed a massive U-turn on a strange decision which has caused unusual controversy around Stormont. Last month, Mr Poots blocked MLAs from discussing a proposal which survivors of abuse wanted to become law. The episode was extraordinary - because a large majority of MLAs not only wanted to discuss the proposal, but to vote for it to become law. Mr Poots has now changed his mind but has refused to give any explanation for why he did what he did. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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