Podcasts about Belfast Telegraph

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.

Should dual-language road signs in Belfast require more than the current 15% support to be approved? A new poll found fewer than one in three people support the rules at present. Frank spoke to Liam Tunney, from the Belfast Telegraph, who's been writing about the polling 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.

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.

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.

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.

Senior loyalists and Key members of the Northern Ireland office have dismissed allegations that The UVF are on the verge of disbanding. One reported condition for the group's disbandment was the formation of a 240-strong armed 'close protection team' to provide security for its ageing leadership - that suggestion has been branded 'farcical'. How close really are the UVF to disbanding, why are figures like Lord Alderdice saying its time to stop transition talks, and what would a transition look like? Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris joins Olivia Peden to answer some of the big questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay and former Sinn Féin election candidate and party worker Thomas O'Hara have been acquitted of charges concerning misconduct in public office.All three had repeatedly denied the charges. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said he believed that Mr Bryson, who has ambitions of pursuing a career as a barrister, had lied under oath in the trial – allegations he strongly denies. McKay said that the verdict wasn't the "last chapter" of the Nama story.How did the trial unfold and what's next for Bryson, McKay and the Nama story? Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph's Liam Tunney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Belfast Telegraph investigation has uncovered some strange actions concerning Ian Paisley Jr's constituency office in Ballymena, including thousands in unpaid bills that led to red letters and threats of court appearances. Who is the mystery owner of the now vacant office, and why were three mortgages taken out on the property? In part two of this special investigation, Sam McBride joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Ian Paisley Jr lost his parliamentary seat last July, it was the end of an era. Once Westminster's most expensive MP, Paisley Jr had built a political career on the legacy of his famous father – but it wasn't without scandal. A Belfast Telegraph investigation has uncovered some strange financial dealings around his constituency office, which is now owned by the unnamed representative of a dead man. Authorities also had to repeatedly threaten court action to secure payment of the rates bill for his office in Ballymena. In part 1 of a special investigation, Sam McBride joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Noah Donohoe's body was found in a north Belfast storm drain on the 27th June 2020. The teenager had left his home in the south of the city to meet up with friends six days earlier. As an inquest, which has faced delays, nears, questions about the tragic and highly unusual death remain. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Andrew Madden to detail the story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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

Larne leisure centre has been extensively damaged after being attacked by youths. Onlookers cheered and laughed while attacking the building after it was used as an emergency centre by those affected by the riots. Trouble has continued in Ballymena, with petrol bombs thrown at police, a water cannon deployed and multiple houses attacked. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Gabrielle Swan and Kevin Scott, who were at the scene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ken Bloomfield has died at the age of 94. He wasn't a politician or a political activist – but he was a key figure in the political life of Northern Ireland. He was at the heart of the old Stormont Government in the years before it collapsed in 1972, being described by a former British Prime Minister as the “brains of the operation”. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two nights of public disorder and riots on the streets of Ballymena in County Antrim, things have calmed down. Petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at police while others had their homes destroyed. Alison Morris, Crime and Security Correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph brings us the latest.

Nolan talks to Belfast Telegraph photographer Kevin Scott and TUV MP Jim Allister.

In the early 2000s, Peter and Iris Robinson were seen as Northern Ireland's political power couple. Iris, known for her strong Christian values, secretly had an affair with 19-year-old Kirk McCambley, whose late father had entrusted her with his care. In 2008, she helped McCambley secure over £50,000 to open a café, allegedly taking £5,000 for herself—money she failed to declare as required in her role as a councillor. The affair and financial misconduct, once exposed, caused a political and media storm, shocking the public. Olivia Peden revisits this explosive scandal with The Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen and Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride, UUP MLA Doug Beattie and author Dr Aaron Edwards react.

Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride gives analysis

The latest Belfast Telegraph Lucid Talk polling shows sharp divisions on some touchstone societal issues. Among the issues surveyed in the latest poll were whether rap band Kneecap should be banned from performing at Belfast Vital, assisted dying and the Supreme Court's ruling on gender and defining what a woman is. In terms of party political support, the poll reveals the DUP are still in a rut and that power in Stormont is taking the shine off Sinn Féin. Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor Suzanne Breen. If you enjoy The BelTel, please leave us a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the PSNI's first Catholic recruits, told the Belfast Telegraph he had faced sectarianism, including references to “Fenian b******s”. Despite Chief Constable Jon Boutcher saying the allegations will not be investigated by a court or by the PSNI. ‘Sean's' solicitor says he's standing by everything he's alleged but has dropped threatened legal action. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride who broke the story, and former senior PSNI Officer Jon Burrows, who strongly disputes the claims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loyalist Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay and party member Thomas O'Hara will be standing trial at Belfast Crown Court charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. All three deny the offences. The charges relate to a meeting of the Stormont Finance Committee in September 2015, which Mr Bryson gave evidence to, during a review of the sale of the Nama property loan portfolio in Northern Ireland. Belfast Telegraph's Crime Correspondent Allison Morris joined Ciarán Dunbar me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Camogie players have criticised the sport's association for kit rules deemed as ‘archaic'. Traditionally, camogie players have worn skorts in their kit, but players are now asking for the choice to wear shorts. Following widespread disruption over the issue, a vote is due to take place next week. Are camogie skorts sexist, or just a harmless tradition? Olivia Peden is joined by the Belfast Telegraph reporters Niamh Campbell and Jessica Rice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did supposed peacemaker David Ervine threaten to “bomb the **** out of Dublin”, why did the British Government allow the UDA to be a legal organisation for so long, and what does Gerry Kelly think of claims that he was put in charge of restructuring the IRA? The Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride found the answer to those questions in secret files at the Kew Archives in London; He joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Co Down man charged with raping and falsely imprisoning a woman has been on the run for almost two years after refusing to attend his trial, claiming to be a freeman of the land. It's “false philosophy that is all too frequently before the court,” is the view of Newry judge Eamonn King about the so-called ‘freeman' defence. What is this all about? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent, Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rap band Kneecap maintain they have "faced a coordinated smear campaign" in recent days over their pro-Palestinian stance. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wants the band banned and almost all MPs want Glastonbury to ditch them. Anti-terror police are investigating them. Where and when will these controversies end? Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid joins Ciarán Dunbar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Wear an Easter LillyI did not think Easter is almost upon us. It has crept up on me. For Irish republicans Easter holds a special significance. It is synonymous with the 1916 Easter Rising and the heroism over a century ago of those who rose up against the British Empire and declared for a Republic. It is also a time when we remember all of those women and men – over countless generations – who gave their lives in pursuit of Irish sovereignty and independence.In the course of my activism I have travelled widely. I have visited many countries. Time and again I have been struck by the determination of nations to honour the patriots and freedom fighters who gave meaning to their desire for freedom and self-determination.Across the world there are countless memorials to those who fought in wars against colonialism. National ceremonies of remembrance are held. Buildings or lands and even prisons associated with struggles for freedom are protected and used as aids to teach young people the value of citizenship and the importance of freedom and democracy.Across this island and beyond there are many such monuments to Irish patriots. Next Sunday tens of thousands of people in towns, villages and cities, at country crossroads and at lonely hillside graveyards across the country, will gather for commemorations. They will gather also in Britain, Australia, Canada, the USA and many other places.Most will wear an Easter Lily. This is a symbol of our enduring commitment to the ideals of 1916 and of the Proclamation of the Republic and is a mark of respect for all those, from every generation, who paid with their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.  Micheál Martin and Moore St.Micheál Martin visited 14-17 Moore St. last week. Number 16 is where the leaders of the Rising held their last meeting before their execution. Numbers 14-17 are the planned location for a National Monument to those who fought in the 1916 Easter Rising and who evacuated to that street as the GPO was in flames. Martin's visit comes 12 years after he called for the "protection and enhancement" of Moore Street. It comes 19 years after the Fianna Fáil government of Bertie Ahern designated 14-17 Moore St. as a National Monument. During that time the buildings lay derelict and have fallen into a dangerous state of disrepairNow almost two decades later Martin takes an interest, on the cusp of Easter, in a site that his government has starved of funding. Moreover, Martin has backed the plan by the London based developer Hammerson to obliterate the Moore St. Battlefield site, including historic buildings that are part of that period.The rumour was that he was to make a public statement about this. Representatives of the Moore Street Preservation Trust were there to respond, including the grandson of James Connolly, James Connolly Heron. James presented An Taoiseach with the Trusts plan for a 1916 historic and Cultural Quarter. This encompasses the preservation, restoration and management of the Moore Street Battlefield Area, as designated by the High Court in 2016 “the lands, buildings, streets and lanes within an area including Moore Street, Henry Place, O'Rahilly Parade and Moore Lane, in which the 1916 Rising Volunteers travelled after evacuating the GPO”.  Two different Voices on UnitySpeaking of Micheál Martin, the Fianna Fáil leader was interviewed for the Belfast Telegraph last week. I was disappointed but not surprised by his assertion that he wasn't even thinking of a ‘border poll'. When pushed about the constitutional future of Ireland in 50 years-time he couldn't even bring himself to utter the words ‘united Ireland.' In the 15 years he has been leader of Fianna Fáil Martin has engaged in a deliberate strategy of obfuscation when it comes to unity. His current excuse for not pursu

Allison Morris, Political Commentator and Columnist with the Belfast Telegraph and Deirdre Heenan, Professor of Social Policy at Ulster University

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 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 MacIntyre started his work, the PSNI moved to put him under significant online surveillance. He says he is “disappointed but not shocked” at allegations that the PSNI spied on him. ­ Host: Ciarán Dunbar Guest: Sam McBrideSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.