The BelTel

Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sex offences, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. The offences were against two women when they were children. His wife Eleanor Donaldson has been found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts. The leaders of the UUP and TUV immediately called for the Donaldsons to be stripped of their titles. Jeffrey Donaldson has been taken to Maghaberry prison to start his sentence. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris, Sam McBride, and Suzanne Breen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of all charges – the judge said prison is “inevitable”. A jury of seven men and five women had considered its verdicts for more than nine hours over two days, and reached a verdict just after lunch on Monday. The 63-year-old former MP had pleaded not guilty to 18 offences including one count of rape. His wife Eleanor Donaldson found guilty of all charges including five of aiding and abetting – she was facing a trial of the facts and cannot be convicted or go to prison. Belfast Telegraph reporter Kyle Frazer joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another British Prime Minister is heading for the exit. Just days after insisting he would stay and fight, Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, bringing a sorry end to a premiership that lasted just two years. With his only serious rival out of the running, Andy Burnham now appears to have a clear path to Downing Street. Enda Brady joins Fionnan Sheahan to discuss how Burnham could approach the Irish relationship, handling Trump and defeating Nigel Farrage's reform? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Simpson was a talented showjumper whose short adult life centred around the equine industry she'd grown up in. So, when first responders collected her, unconscious and not breathing, from the care of Jonathan Creswell, who would eventually be charged with her murder, police initially believed his claim that he'd found her hanging at home.Creswell died by suicide in the early days of his trial. Since then, Ms Simpson's story has been covered at length in documentaries, podcasts, a Police Ombudsman's report, an independent case review, and a book by Nicola Tallant. Although a tragic death among the showjumping set is far from her regular Crime World beat, Tallant believes Simpson's is a dark story with more yet to be told.This episode contains material that may be distressing. Please take care while listening.Host: Fionnán Sheehan | Guest: Nicola Tallant (author of Groomed: Coercion, Control and a Cold-blooded Murder, and investigations editor at the Sunday World) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Donohoe's remains were found in a storm drain in north Belfast on June 27, 2020. The 14-year-old had gone missing six days earlier. A post-mortem examination found that the likely cause of death was drowning. The inquest into his death, which is being heard before a jury, is in its 20th week. The jury has now heard from Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips. He was the senior investigating officer tasked with finding Noah and is the inquest's final witness. He told the court that Police may ‘never have answers' to some questions around Noah's death. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Donaldson's trial is nearing its end. The court has now heard the closing arguments – all that remains is for the judge to give directions to the jury. On Wednesday, Donaldson's barrister told the jury the complainants were “not sufficiently reliable enough to drive you to a sure conclusion that he is guilty”. 63-year-old Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences which include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. His wife Eleanor Donaldson's barrister asked the jury to end her nightmare by returning verdicts that she did not do the acts alleged. The sixty-year-old from Dublinhill Road in Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. She is facing a trial of the facts to test the evidence in the case but cannot result in a criminal conviction. Allison Morris was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride went to East Belfast to ask people blocking a road – albeit peacefully – why they were protesting. That led to him being assaulted, challenged to a fight, intimidated and sworn at. The fallout from last week's riots continues with 35 arrests, and 23 people charged. Police have described the events as “inexcusable lawlessness”. Sam McBride joined Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A prosecution barrister has told a jury that the two complainants in the case against Jeffrey Donaldson had ‘No reason to lie'. But Jeffrey Donaldson's barrister has told the jury to look at evidence ‘dispassionately', and that “When all is said and done, it is their word against his word”. Rosemary Walsh KC, for the prosecution, told the jury in Newry Crown Court that Jeffrey Donaldson's wife Eleanor “was aware her husband had a sexual interest in pre-pubescent girls”. The former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault. The 63 year old has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences. Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

His killing shocked Ireland, cast a shadow over the peace process, and left a family searching for justice. Fionnán Sheahan and John Downing look back at the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, the political fallout, and why the case remains open three decades later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has now been cross-examined by the prosecution in Newry Crown Court where he is on trial over 18 alleged offences. He has plead not guilty to charges including rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. Both complainants alleged they were abused as children. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road in Dromore, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. She is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe has now heard its 19th week of evidence. The inquest has now heard from mental health experts - one said it ‘feels like there is so much we don't know about this case'. But the experts do agree that Noah is “unlikely to have died by suicide”. They also agreed that Jordan Peterson's book ‘12 Rules For Life' would have had an “influence” on Noah. The teenager's body was found in a storm drain in June 2020 after being missing for six days. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph, he spoke to Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Donaldson has denied raping a seven-year-old child, under cross-examination, saying “it simply didn't happen”. The former MP spent Thursday on the witness stand in Newry Crown Court. During the questioning, he admitted having an affair. Mr Donaldson is accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault. The sixty-three-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Violence sparked by a knife attack in Belfast continues. A Sudanese man has been charged over that incident. Twelve police officers have been injured as they confront rioters and attempts to target minorities. The PSNI deployed a water cannon in Newtownabbey as they were pelted with bricks. Meanwhile a health trusts says it is ‘horrified' after a nurse ‘with different skin colour' was chased into hospital by masked men. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Kevin Scott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern Ireland has seen serious race riots for the third year in a row. Masked men staged violent protests in number of areas, but the trouble was concentrated in the greater Belfast area, with homes set alight off the Crumlin Road and in east Belfast.A Glider bus was set alight on the Newtownards Road and a police car was burned in Portadown. The disorder followed an attempted murder involving a knife in north Belfast on Monday night.A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged. The Belfast Telegraph's Visuals Editor Kevin Scott was on the ground in Belfast and Liam Tunney was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor Donaldson “met with a blank wall” when asking her husband Jeffrey about an incident with an alleged abuse – a jury has heard. Eleanor Donaldson also accused her husband of infidelity during police interviews. And Jeffrey Donaldson told police a letter sent to one of his alleged victims had nothing “to do with any allegation or any action involving sexual abuse”. His trial over alleged sexual offences is continuing in Newry Crown Court. The 63-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. His wife Eleanor Donaldson faces five related charges including aiding and abetting – she is facing a trial of the facts due to her mental health issues. Allison Morris is covering the trial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A man believed by police to be Sudanese has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a violent incident involving a knife in north Belfast. The attack, which has been declared a ‘critical incident', happened in Kinnaird Avenue shortly after 10.30 PM last night. The victim - a man in his 40s - is in hospital in a serious condition. A video of the attack has shocked and horrified the public in Northern Ireland. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labeled the incident as “sickening”. A major police investigation is ongoing. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Visuals editor Kevin Scott This episode was recorded at 12PM on Tuesday 9 June. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I can't get my head around” the abuse allegations made by Witness B, Jeffrey Donaldson told police. The tape of the former MP's interview with the PSNI was played at his trial in Newry Crown Count on Monday morning. The jury also heard Donaldson deny that he apologised to Witness in the case because he thought it would “make this go away”. “I wasn't doing anything untoward,” Jeffrey Donaldson told police officers in relation to accusations made by Witness A. Donaldson (63) is accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault. He denies all 18 alleged offences. There are two alleged victims, Complainant A and Complainant B. His wife Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road in Dromore denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. Allison Morris was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Sugden is the only independent MLA in Stormont. Co-opted into the assembly for east Londonderry in 2014, she served as justice minister from May 2016 to March 2017. Widely considered a ‘liberal unionist', in May 2021 she turned down an invitation from Doug Beattie to join the UUP but she says she's no “soft unionist”.  But under John Burrow's leadership, could she consider joining the party now? Can liberal Unionism be revived? And besides Unionism, what else does Claire believe in? And she tells the BelTel that she wants to continue as a politician but not “at the expense of my health anymore.” Claire Sugden joined Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Almost like a bomb went off”, that's it was like, a witness told Newry Crown Court, when one of Jeffrey Donaldson's alleged victims confided in her. Claire Selfridge was giving evidence on the eighth day of the trial. The jury also heard a claim that Jeffrey Donaldson asked one of the complainants to forgive him. The former DUP leader is accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault. The 63-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences. The charges span a period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims. Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. She is facing a trial of the facts. Kurtis Reid reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newry Crown Court has heard Jeffrey Donaldson sent a message to a minister supporting one of his alleged victims, saying he wanted to “repent before them as he had before God.” The husband of an alleged victim in the abuse trial has broken down as he gave evidence on Thursday. 63-year-old former MP Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all the 18 charges he is facing, they include rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault. His wife Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road in Dromore, County Down denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. She is facing a trial of the facts. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A woman who claims former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson raped her as a child has told a court in Newry she regrets not contacting police sooner. Witness B said she has “tried not to be a victim” in the years since the alleged abuse. During cross-examination on Wednesday afternoon, she said she wished she had “screamed out”. Jeffrey Donaldson is accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault. The former MP has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road in Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting – she faces a trial of the facts as she has been ruled unfit for a criminal trial. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen McCullagh will do at least 31 years of jail time before he is even considered for release. 32-year-old Natalie McNally had been 15 weeks pregnant when she was subjected to a violent attack and murdered at her home in Lurgan in December 2022. The judge, Mr Justice Kinney, told McCullagh that he committed a “brutal senseless murder and planned it in remorseless detail.” “The killing was cold blooded and calculated.” McCullagh tried to pin the murder on Lewis Jones, Natalie's ex-partner, after having set up a false alibi. But the jury rejected that and found McCullagh guilty of the murder at Belfast Crown Court earlier this year. Kurtis Reid was in court for the tariff hearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UUP's fortunes, or at least its leader's, had been rising in the polls – but now the party is sinking into civil war. Its former leader Doug Beattie has quit the party and has launched a blistering assault on current leader Jon Burrows – even saying he “regretted” ever persuading Burrows to join the party. Mr Beattie resigned from the UUP at the weekend, accusing former PSNI man Burrows of a “vindictive attempt” to oust him. Mr Burrows has yet to comment publicly. Meanwhile, reports suggest he doesn't have the support of the party's Stormont MLAs The Belfast Telegraph's Political Editor Suzanne Breen broke the story that Doug Beattie was set to leave the party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A jury has heard a police interview recording of a woman who claims she was raped as a child by Jeffrey Donaldson. Jurors at Newry Crown Court heard allegations against the former DUP leader by a woman who claims it happened when she was at primary school. She also alleged that Donaldson arranged for her to be sent to a Christian Rehabilitation Centre and apologised to her there. Sixty-three-year-old Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences said to have taken place between 1985 and 2008 involving two complainants known as Witness A and B. His wife Eleanor Donaldson faces a trial of the facts on aiding and abetting allegations after the trial judge ruled her medically unfit to stand trial. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor Donaldson “did nothing” when told of an allegation of abuse by her husband, Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has heard. The claim from one of the alleged victims came during week two of the former DUP leader's trial. 63-year-old Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. Donaldson's wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. The 60-year-old is facing a trial of the facts, not a criminal trial, after judge Paul Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds. Allison Morris was in court for day four of evidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sixty years after being jailed with Ian Paisley, a veteran Free Presbyterian minister is daring his clerical colleagues to expel him. Now, the Rev Ivan Foster – himself a former DUP Assemblyman – is facing discipline for criticising Free Presbyterian ministers. A second cleric, the Rev David Linden, is also facing disciplinary measures. 83-year-old Rev Foster has publicly accused the church of breaking its own rules. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Donaldson's wife planted a listening device in his car after becoming suspicious he was having affair with a constituent, a court in Newry has been told. The 63-year-old former MP in on trial in relation to 18 alleged historical sex offence charges, dating from 1985 to 2008 – including a charge of rape. He denies all of the charges against him. His wife Eleanor Donaldson, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore in Co Down, is charged with aiding and abetting. She denies the charges. She will not be in court and is facing a trial of the facts as she has been ruled medically unfit to stand trial. Allison Morris was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has been hearing its 17th week of evidence. This week the inquest heard a police constable say investigating the culvert in which the teenager's body was found was “not a priority” during the first few days of the search. The jury also heard an engineer say it was ‘Extremely unlikely' Noah entered the watercourse from anywhere but culvert entrance at Premier Drive. Liam Tunney is the Belfast Telegraph's chief reporter on the inquest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side. Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show. Details of their separation, of Tommy's affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at BelfastTelegraph.co.uk/ourjournalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged sex crimes has heard he wrote a letter to an alleged victim asking for forgiveness. The court was read the letter from June 2020 to a woman he is accused of abusing. In it he asked for her forgiveness for “hurt and pain I have caused”. In the letter to Witness A, he referred to “sinful and selfish actions” and wrote he wanted to “take full responsibility for all I have done”. An interview recorded in March 2024 was shown to the court, which showed Witness A recounting two main alleged incidents. The witness said that inappropriate touching had become “a very casual thing”. 63-year-old Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged historical sexual offences. Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep' The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. Allison Morris was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A search has begun near the shores of Lough Neagh for one of the Disappeared. 29-year-old Seamus Maguire is thought to have been killed and secretly buried by republicans 50 years ago. The search operation is on land near to his homeplace of Aghagallon, near Lurgan. It is the first search for one of the Disappeared to take place in Northern Ireland for 16 years. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Journalist Andrew Madden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The murder of Pat Finucane is one of the most notorious of the troubles. The 39-year-old Belfast solicitor was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in 1989 by UDA gunmen. A series of investigations revealed collusion with the state. The first hearing of a public inquiry into the killing is set to take place next month – with Sir Gary Hickinbottom as chairman of the inquiry. Pat Finucane's family, including his son, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane, has long fought for an inquiry into the case to be opened. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris to preview the inquest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and the trial of the facts of his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, will be heard together. Eleanor Donaldson, who had faced charges of aiding and abetting which she strenously denies, has been declared unfit to stand trial. Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences, including one count of rape, as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency spanning a time period between 1985 and 2008, with two alleged victims. The former DUP leader's trial and the trial of the facts will begin on Tuesday. The Attorney General has issued advice on commenting on legal cases. What is a trial of the facts, can you comment online about the case, and what can we expect next week? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The jury in Noah Donohoe inquest have heard a sixteenth week of evidence. The schoolboy was just 14 when his naked body was found in the storm drain tunnel on June 27, 2020. He had been missing for six days. On Thursday, an expert witness gave testimony on the CCTV footage of Noah leaving his flat during the night before he went missing. Earlier in the week the jury heard that conditions in culvert where his body was found would have been “terrifying”. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1920 a momentous decision was finalised - three Ulster counties, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan would not be included in the new Northern Ireland. It was felt that the new entity would be more secure without those counties which had nationalist majorities. But they also had large, Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist minorities - then abandoned in the new Irish Free State. Ed Burke has written a new book – it's called ‘Ulster's Lost Counties: Loyalism and Paramilitarism since 1920'. In it he examines armed loyalism and resistance to Irish nationalism coming from the people of the three counties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tattle Life is a self-described “commentary website”. Supporters of the site say it's free speech, protects consumers, and that influencers are fair game, with the website saying it has a zero-tolerance policy to any abusive, hateful or harmful content. But critics claim users have published private documents, that the site facilitates vile and cruel trolling – even stalking. Last year, it was revealed County Antrim couple Neil and Donna Sands seemed to have taken the so-called ‘king of the trolls', alleged owner of the site, Sebastian Bond, down. But now court has ruled he didn't even know his crown was being seized – and the couple have to pay back £300,000 in damages. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fianna Fáil has turned the ripe old age of 100. But is the house that Éamon de Valera built in disarray? Irish Independent political correspondent John Downing reckons “they're a very pale, poor shadow of what they were”. So, how did Dev shape the party in the first place? How did Seán Lemass modernise Ireland? Why did Charles Haughey command such loyalty? What made Bertie Ahern the “ultimate pragmatist”? And where does Micheál Martin stand among the leaders who have gone before him? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: John Downing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe is now in its 15th week. This week the jury has heard evidence from the PSNI officers who found Noah's remains. It also heard how a senior official went down into the culvert himself to help him understand what happened. 14-year-old Noah's remains were found in north Belfast in June 2020 - six days after he went missing after cycling to meet friends. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Graham is a former DUP councillor, and a former advisor to education minister Peter Weir. He has been a teacher and has worked for both Linfield and Rangers. He is also a political commentator. Recently he has been writing about the need for the unionist parties to bring in fresh talent. He joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel to discuss unionist politics, how to fix Stormont and Northern Ireland, and whether he expects a border poll. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top civil servants had debated whether to effectively admit that Bloody Sunday was not as Lord Widgery's whitewash had claimed. Documents uncovered in the formerly secret Kew Files reveal much debate among officials as to how they should deal with the legacy of the 14 deaths against the backdrop of the nascent peace process. In one of these files is a heartfelt handwritten letter to the Prime Minister, John Major; it is a plea for justice. It was written by Kathleen Kelly, mother of Michael Kelly, who died after being shot by Paratrooper Soldier F. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by our Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel remains one of the most disturbing crimes in Irish history. In May 2018, Ana was lured from her home by a local boy. Three days later, her body was found in a derelict house – naked and violently assaulted.Two boys, just 13 years old at the time of the killing, were the youngest in the State to be tried, and convicted, of murder. Eight years on, Irish Independent court reporter Eimear Cotter reflects on the horrific murder of Ana Kriegel and the public outrage that followed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five years ago, the DUP was in largest party in Northern Ireland, lurched to open civil war. The party had been led by Ian Paisley for 37 years – but an unprecedented outbreak of factional politics saw three different leaders in just 50 days. The middle one, Edwin Poots, lasted a total of just 33 days. To explain the background to the DUP's woes and their long-term effect, Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor, Suzanne Breen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An access hatch on the inlet to a culvert in which Noah Donohoe was found should have been locked six months previously, an inquest into his death has heard. But the jury also heard the storm drain was in good condition and had no history of unauthorised accessThe 14-year-old's body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after he went missing. A post-mortem examination found the likely cause of death was drowning. The inquest into his death, which is being heard before a jury, is now in its 14th week. Liam Tunney reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a very senior, well-paid civil servant, working in the higher echelons of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Only a handful of officials work at that level and with every one of these individuals we are entitled to know who they are, what they do and what they are paid – but not when it comes to one man. Or is it a woman? We don't know. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has discovered a top-mandarin that we know nothing about - a secret civil servant. The taxpayer is not allowed to know what they do, not allowed to know how much they are paid and not even allowed to know what their name is. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel to explain this bizarre story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Féin are still top of the polls north and south – but all polls show the party has lost ground. Many commentators think Sinn Féin have lost their direction and sense of purpose. So - has Sinn Féin really lost its mojo and what can it do about it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by politics lecturer and commentator David McCann to discuss what Sinn Féin will have to do to hold its ground ahead of the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A report has lambasted ‘institutional misogyny' in PSNI over failings in the Katie Simpson murder investigation. Police officers on the case were responsible for a catalogue of basic failures including not preserving evidence, missing forensic opportunities, dismissing key witness statements, failing to secure phones or even photographing her injuries. 21-year-old Katie from Tynan, Co Armagh, died almost a week after an incident in Lettershandoney. Police originally thought she had taken her own life. But a year later, Jonathan Creswell was arrested. Creswell's trial ended in April 2024 after he took his own life following the first day of proceedings. The Belfast Telegraph's Crime Correspondent, Allison Morris, joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1990s, DUP leader Ian Paisley railed against the peace process, denouncing it as a sellout. But newly declassified documents reveal that some of his lieutenants, including Gregory Campbell, held in fact much more moderate views that those they professed publicly. East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has always presented himself as a hardliner who has long been known for tough rhetoric and even gratuitous insults. But formerly secret files from the UK's archive in Kew have revealed a different side to him and that he and other senior DUP figures were keen to play a part in the peace talks, with NIO officials regarding them as key DUP moderates. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride, joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a bonus episode of In Good Company with Cathy Martin, The Belfast Telegraph's new business and lifestyle podcast. Conor Ferguson is an Olympic swimmer who's faced heartbreak by the narrowest of margins – missing out on the 2016 Rio Olympics by five hundredths of a second, and Tokyo in 2020 by four tenths. But rather than stepping away, he's turned what some might perceive as adversity into innovation, now co-founding Athlete Hub – a tech startup using AI to help athletes optimise every part of their performance. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to keep up with In Good Company, releasing every Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/podcast-series/in-good-company/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia Holmes was born as Cecilia McKitterick in Castlederg, County Tyrone. After leaving Northern Ireland when she was 19, she eventually settled in Texas, where she started her career as a scam artist - using more than 40 names to dupe her targets into handing over huge sums of money. She posed as countless aliases, including a minister and a psychologist. After being deported home for her crimes, she continued her scams, until she was found dead in 2015 alongside her partner, in what appeared as a suicide pact. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Gillian Halliday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe, which is being heard before a jury, has now heard 13 weeks of evidence. The 14-year-old's body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet friends. On Monday, the jury heard from Daryl Paul, the thief convicted of stealing Noah Donohoe's laptop. Under cross-examination he denied an image of a hand found on the schoolboy's phone belonged to him. Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.