Podcasts about Belfast Telegraph

This week's Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan explores what a united Ireland would actually involve, Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole and Belfast Telegraph journalist Sam McBride have written a new book that addresses the case both for and against Irish unity.The structure of the book is unusual. Each journalist writes two long chapters: one arguing for unity, and one arguing against. O'Toole says the aim is to “give people a sense of what a decent argument looks like”. Too often, he suggests, the subject becomes a referendum about identity rather than a discussion of consequences. McBride agrees, saying most people “don't get beyond the binary of are you for or against it” even though “none of us know what it would mean”.Practical questions run through the book: healthcare integration, welfare harmonisation, education, taxation and policing. McBride stresses the range of possible constitutional models. Northern Ireland could remain semi-autonomous within a united Ireland; or the island could adopt a more federal structure. “We don't even know the most basic elements of this,” he says.Their conclusion is that everyone on the island will soon need to make an informed choice. And that requires informed understanding, not simplistic assumptions.For and Against a United Ireland is published by the Royal Irish Academy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation around a united Ireland is an increasingly noisy one, with passionate arguments found on both sides of the debate. Now, two journalists – Sam McBride of the Belfast Telegraph and Fintan O'Toole of the Irish Times – have come together for a new book entitled For and Against a United Ireland. On this episode of The Indo Daily brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel, both men engage in a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of unification. Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guests: Sam McBride and Fintan O'Toole See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of the UVF unit responsible for the Dublin and Monaghan bombings have been named for the first time. The bombings in May 1974 killed 33 civilians and injured almost 300 – it was the deadliest attack in the Republic's history. Three car bombs exploded in Dublin during rush hour and a fourth exploded in Monaghan almost 90 minutes later. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soldier F has been cleared of two murders on Bloody Sunday. A judge in Belfast has ruled the evidence against the veteran fell below the standard needed. Soldier F was found not guilty of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney both shot dead by soldiers on January 30,1972. He was also cleared of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, and an unknown person. He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts. Predictably, the verdict has divided opinions. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent, Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to a report by the Equality Commission, Flags and sectarian grievances are ‘hindering NI boxing'. The review comes after boxer Daryl Clarke claimed he was excluded from Northern Ireland's 2022 Commonwealth Games team because of his identity. The report also cites the continued display of flags, emblems and identity symbols at events, and a lack of formal procedures for reporting harassment and discrimination. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph journalist Niamh Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Northern Ireland's most powerful drug barons - ‘The Chocolate' - can finally be unmasked. 48-year-old Newry man John McGivern has been forced to confess to a raft of drug charges, including dealing cocaine. He is the latest member of the criminal aristocracy brought down in the wake of the gangster phone network Encrochat getting hacked by French spies. ‘The Chocolate' is now likely to be sent to Maghaberry but the question on Newry's streets now is - who will fill the vacuum? Niamh Campbell is joined by Ciaran Barnes from the Sunday Life and by Allison Morris from the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Nesbitt has set out his vision for unionism at the UUP conference – but is he ready to pass the baton? Meanwhile at Stormont, arguments over cultural issues take centre stage once again, with the DUP and TUV seemingly at loggerheads. And as Unionist anger grows over Belfast City Council's new Irish language policies, with an east Belfast sign vandalised, we take a look at the stats and surveys behind dual language signage. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by The Belfast Telegraph's political editor Suzanne Breen and journalist Liam Tunney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tá an PSNI ag mbun fiosrúcháin faoi eachtra a tharla arú aréir nuair a bhailigh grúpa de 40 duine le chéile taobh amuigh de theach an Aire Dlí agus Cirt i dTuaisceart Éireann Naomi Long. Tá an eachtra cáinte ag polaiteoirí ó Thuaidh.

Malcolm McKeown was shot dead at point blank range in August 2019. McKeown was a career criminal, from a family steeped in violence - both his brothers had convictions for involvement in sectarian killings. Two men have now been convicted of his murder – linked to the Lurgan based organised crime gang the ‘Firm'. McKeown had been shot previously, and he knew he was under threat, his enemies were many, but a botched drug deal with the Firm sealed his fate. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's crime correspondent, Allison Morris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris and former senior police officer Alan Mains discuss.

The so-called Nama trial is underway in Belfast, more than a decade after police first began an exceptionally complex and significant investigaton. Frank Cushnahan – a former banker and senior businessman - and Ian Coulter, a former top solicitor, face charges linked to an allegedly vast fraud at the heart of Northern Ireland's biggest ever property deal. They deny all the charges. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has been in court for the first four days of what could be a three-month-long trial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Domestically, NI politics has been consumed by Irish language issues this week and unionists reel in the wake of Belfast City Council's new bilingual policy – is it just the result of demographics? October is party conference season – why did Starmer not mention us in his speech? The SDLP is presenting itself as both an alternative to Alliance and pushing Irish unity, can they do both? And finally, an MLA says the current Stormont executive is the worst one since devolution returned in 1998 – is he right? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Liam Tunney, political commentator Alex Kane and by Ulster University lecturer David McCann. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abdullah Sabri, journalist with the Belfast Telegraph, gives the latest on an incident in south Belfast where several people were hospitalised after potential contact with a noxious substance.

Jerry got the views of Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris and of Malachi O’Doherty, author, broadcaster and Belfast Telegraph columnist.

An Onlyfans model married to John George's alleged killer has been arrested after allegedly being found with drugs in Spain. Belfast man John George's body was discovered in January near Torrevieja. Madison Allen, now Madison Smyth, married murder suspect Jonny Smyth while he was on the run. Now, the 20-year-old Newtownabbey woman has been arrested after crystal meth and cannabis resin was found in the car she was driving. Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nolan talks to Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride and Aontu leader Peadar Tóibín.

Terence O'Neill delivered his famous ‘Ulster at the crossroads' speech in December of 1968 though it appeared from the events at Burntollet in January 1969 that the people had chosen to continue along the same perilous path as before. The subsequent change in political landscape set the tone for action and reaction to social change for a generation in Northern Ireland.  To help us understand the reforms and resignations which caused so many ructions within political unionism at this time I have enlisted the help and expertise of Alex Kane.Alex is the former Director of Communications for the Ulster Unionist Party. These days he is a political commentator and a columnist for several publications including the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News. I began by asking Alex to give us a sense of Terence O'Neill's thinking when he delivered the iconic ‘Ulster at the Crossroads' speech in December 1968.This episode was produced as part of At the Crossroads: The Campaign for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland, a project developed by The Linen Hall. This project is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and has also received financial support from the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council.Send us a textSupport the show

Northern Ireland's education system has no idea how many children it's responsible for and there's no legal requirement for parents to tell education authorities they have a child. Stormont doesn't know how lots of children are being educated – or whether they're being educated at all. Documents show some senior Stormont officials fear these ‘missing children' are vulnerable to “sexual exploitation”. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride has been investigating this story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out. The magistrate dismissed the case over a technical error. Ó hAnnaidh said the case “was always about Gaza”. The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah in November last year. Belfast Telegraph reporter Niamh Campbell was in court. This episode of The Indo Daily, was brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Niamh Campbell, Journalist with The Belfast Telegraph

The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out. The magistrate dismissed the case over a technical error. Ó hAnnaidh said the case “was always about Gaza”. The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah in November last year. Belfast Telegraph reporter Niamh Campbell was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam McBride sits down with Stephen Walker who has published a biography on the Nobel Peace Prize winner, entitled ‘Peacemaker'. ‘David Trimble: Peacemaker' is based on 100 interviews, including with many members of the Trimble family. Later Lord Trimble, he was one of the key architects of the Belfast agreement, leading the largest unionist party at the time, the UUP. Stephen Walker worked as a journalist for the BBC for 34 years. He sat down with the Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are billions of pounds worth of gold under the Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone. A US-based company, Darlriadan Resources, wants to mine it. But local people are divided over whether the mine would benefit or harm them, some are mounting legal challenges against it. Sinn Féin is struggling with the decision and with its policy on mining. Will the gold ever be brought out of the ground and it is – who will benefit from it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marianne Smyth had a long career on both sides of the Atlantic as a swindler and a con-woman. Smyth has now been convicted in Downpatrick of swindling more than £115,000 from four victims, including Derry GAA player Dermot McNicholl. Born in Maine, Smyth claimed she had ordered IRA killings, been the heir of a multi-million dollar fortune, and survived cancer, among many other absurd lies. Smyth had even had her pet dogs euthanised before she fled Northern Ireland. The Belfast Telegraph's Kurtis Reid joined Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riots were a familiar feature of the Troubles, but with political violence now almost a thing of the past, rioting is rare. However, sparked by a decision not to allow the Orange Order to parade on west Belfast's Springfield Road, the September 2005 riots were complete mayhem. Loyalists rampaged for three nights causing two thousand police and soldiers to be deployed. Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent Allison Morris was there, she joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish man Graham Linehan is one of the brains behind one of TV's finest ever comedies – Father Ted. He is now a self-described ‘gender critical' activist, causing much controversy and offence to those who believe in trans rights. In the latest twist, he was arrested by five armed police over posts made on X in April of this year. How did Graham Linehan go from comedic genius to such a divisive figure, and where exactly is the line between free speech and hate speech? Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's deputy features editor, Gillian Halliday, and from our news desk, Brett Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When an IRA Stormont spy ring was alleged in 2002, devolution quickly plunged into crisis. A PSNI raid on Sinn Féin's Stormont offices discovered a map of castle buildings with instructions on bypassing security, and intelligence on the prison service, including personal details of prison officers. But in 2004, Denis Donaldson – the most senior republican arrested during the raids – admitted he had been a British agent all along. Months later he was murdered in Donegal. Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has been back in the archives and has unearthed fresh details on the Stormont spy ring scandal, he joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of a man in Newcastle brings the number of people murdered in Northern Ireland in the past nine weeks to nine, with twelve people murdered so far this year. 84-year-old pensioner Sean Small was found dead in his Newcastle home on Sunday night. The week before, a west Belfast father was stabbed to death in his home. Named locally as Shane Lowry, the 32-year-old's brother has been charged with the killing. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Liam Tunney and our Crime Correspondent, Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Niamh Campbell, Journalist, The Belfast Telegraph

The judge hearing Kneecap member Mo Chara's terror charge case needs more time to think about what he's going to do next. 27-year-old Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh from Ballymurphy was charged in May, over the alleged display of a banned Hezbollah flag at a gig in north London.The case has become stuck over a technical argument over the timing of the charge against the rapper. "Keep talking about Palestine, this is just a distraction", the rapper told supporters outside the court. Belfast Telegraph reporter Niamh Campbell was in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The TUV has dramatically emerged as the third most popular party in Northern Ireland in the latest BelTel / LucidTalk polling. Most unionists want electoral pacts, a significant minority even want the existing parties to merge. Most of those polled want a commission to regulate bonfires and flags and less than a third of our readers agree with Belfast City Council's dual Irish-English language signage policy. Ciarán Dunbar joined by the head of LucidTalk. Bill White, commentator Alex Kane, commentator Ursula Savage, and by Belfast Telegraph reporter Andrew Madden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The IRA's internal security unit, responsible for hunting down informers and executing them, was known as 'The Nutting Squad'. Ruthless, cruel, efficient, but riddled with informers - promoting questions, who were they actually loyal to? Paddy ‘PM' Monaghan has been reported as a British agent, making him the third senior member to be suspected of being a double agent. Its top tier also included the likes of Freddie Scappaticci and leader, John Joe Magee, who are both now believed to have been spies themselves. How did this group, who had access to some of the IRA's most guarded secrets become riddled with double agents? Presenter Kevin Doyle is joined by Allison Morris, columnist with the Belfast Telegraph, to look at the brutality of the 'Nutting Squad' and whether its senior ranks were loyal to the IRA or to the British.This podcast was first released in September 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Racism, pure and simple' - that's the PSNI's assessment of an anti-migrant group roaming the streets of east Belfast. The self-styled vigilantes were posting their antics to TikTok, which has now banned them. Sometimes accompanied by dogs the group have been demanding to see IDs, have made threats on doorsteps, and have been enquiring about work-statuses. One the main movers in the group is dog ‘hunter' Neil Pinkerton. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent, Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LVF leader Billy Wright was charismatic, religious, ruthless and cold. A sectarian murderer but a hero to many in loyalism. Wright was feared by most but respected by some for ‘taking the war to the IRA'. Where did 'King Rat' come from, how did he live his life and why did he take the lives of others? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent Allison Morris. This podcast was originally released in August 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billy Wright, 'King Rat', founded the LVF to defy the UVF. That led to imprisonment. Incredibly Wright was gunned down inside the Maze maximum security prison. How did the INLA get a gun inside the jail and what was the LVF's bloody response? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris.This podcast was first released in August 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Armagh republican Colm Murphy was at various points a member of the Provisional IRA, the INLA and the Real IRA. In his later years, he was linked to the Óglaigh na hÉireann dissident group. He had been convicted but later acquitted of involvement in the Omagh bombing. He was later found liable in a civil court for the 1998 attack which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Colm Murphy died at the age of 70 of a degenerative lung disease in April 2023. The Belfast Telegraph's Security Correspondent Allison Morris profiles him.This episode was originally published on 21 April 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles. Known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire, he murdered 3 people at an IRA funeral in Milltown Cemetery, west Belfast. Following his release from prison in 2000, he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was ‘performance art'. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran. This podcast was first published in April 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles. Known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire, he murdered 3 people at an IRA funeral in Milltown Cemetery, west Belfast. Following his release from prison in 2000, he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was ‘performance art'. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran. This podcast was first published in April 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The so-called ‘White Widow' is one of the world's most wanted Islamic terror suspects. Samantha Lewthwaite has been linked to 400 deaths and the 7/7 attacks, and is alleged to remain at large in Somalia. She's been on the wanted list in multiple countries for 20 years – and she's from Banbridge. How did she go from County Down schoolgirl to a hunted Al-Qaeda suspect? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter James McNaney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three members of a family have been murdered in Maguiresbridge. The mother and her two children were shot in their family home – with two of them dying at the scene – another in hospital. Another person – a man – was seriously injured and is currently in hospital in Belfast. The PSNI say a so-called ‘murder-suicide' is one line of inquiry and that it is “not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made”. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter – Abdullah Sabri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three members of a family have been murdered in Maguiresbridge. The mother and her two children were shot in their family home – with two of them dying at the scene – another in hospital. Another person – a man – was seriously injured and is currently in hospital in Belfast. The PSNI say a so-called ‘murder-suicide' is one line of inquiry and that it is “not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made”. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter – Abdullah Sabri. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talk of loyalist paramilitaries disbanding is now generally seen as extremely unlikely. Cynicism abounds as to whether these armed groups will ever ‘transition' into peaceful organisations – and of course whether they really can abandon rampant and lucrative criminality. But there does seem to have been some movement in a very unlikely place, the South-East Antrim UDA. The Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Presbyterian minister in South Belfast revealed how he suffered a mental breakdown after his congregation spied on him for months making detailed ‘Spy Charts' on his every movement. The covert surveillance all stemming from whether or not he was living in the church manse. After the church's own investigation found no charges against the minister he was then removed from the church as ' his position was untenable because of the breakdown in relationships'. It's the latest in a series of controversies involving the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, covered by the Sunday Life and Belfast Telegraph. Guest Angela Davison joins Ciaran Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The green is ready, fans are arriving, and the good and great of golf have flocked to Portrush for the open. All eyes are on Rory McIlroy after he achieved golfing immortality in the form of the career grand slam in April. As over 250,000 international fans pour into Portrush, locals have slammed food and accommodation price hikes, including one local spot charging almost £27 for fish and chips. Olivia Peden is joined from Royal Portrush by Belfast Telegraph's chief sportswriter Steven Beacom and Sport Journalist Adam McKendry to look ahead to what the open holds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hailing from Navan, Co. Meath, Domhnall works as a travel journalist, columnist and author. He writes extensively for the Irish and British media, with work regularly appearing in the Belfast Telegraph, Woman's Way, The Sunday Times and the Irish Examiner. Domhnall has received many prestigious honours for his writing, including the 2025 Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year award. Mercier Press published his novels Crazy for You and Colin and the Concubine. His début novel, Sister Agatha: the World's Oldest Serial Killer, was released in 2016.

For reaction to this Jon Burrows, Retired Senior PSNI Officer, Sarah Creighton, Unionist Political Commentator & Writer and Allison Morris, Crime & Security Correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph.

Author Dr Aaron Edwards and Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris discuss

Gabrielle Swan, Belfast Telegraph journalist, discusses a murder probe by police in Northern Ireland following the sudden death of a pregnant woman in Co Down.

It was pandemonium in London on Wednesday morning as Kneecap's Mo Chara appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court. Hundreds turned out to support the rapper, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, as he entered court – having arrived in a mocked up RUC landover. The west Belfast rapper is charged with a terror offence over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London last year. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph's crime correspondent Allison Morris who was in court and BelTel assistant producer Olivia Peden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allison Morris, Crime Correspondent with Belfast Telegraph, discusses her experiences with death threats as a Northern Irish crime journalist.