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The State of Us

The State of Us

BBC Sounds 134 Episodes Oct 22, 2026

In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. Questions about his disappearance and death have dominated headlines for the last five and a half years. The inquest into Noah's death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day.

Episodes

How we make court podcasts
How we make court podcasts Oct 22, 2026 695 As a preview to The State of Us live show at the Belfast Media Festival in November Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take an in-depth look at the popularity of court podcasts. Why are people so fascinated with the detail from inside trials and inquests. Register here to be in the audience on November 10th belfastmediafestival.co.uk.
11. Provisional IRA & police notes
11. Provisional IRA & police notes Oct 20, 2026 724 The outcome of the most recent legal challenge of the decisions on the Drumcree march will be revealed next week. Today, lawyers for Garvaghy Road residents said they should not be conflated with dissident republicans. The PSNI’s barrister said mentions of the Provisional IRA were outside the confines of this case, and concerns should be taken up with the Policing Board.
9. ‘Seismic’ court ruling
9. ‘Seismic’ court ruling Oct 20, 2026 994 Garvaghy Road residents lost their bid to challenge the Parades Commission's decision in the Court of Appeal today. What arguments were made? Why did the right to march win out? And what does this ruling mean for other Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland?
10. Threats from paramilitaries
10. Threats from paramilitaries Oct 19, 2026 996 Police intelligence found dissident republicans may have mounted gun attacks on officers had they cleared a path for a parade on the Garvaghy Road. Loyalist paramilitaries were also "depicting signs of frustration". The intelligence was revealed at Belfast High Court today, where Sir Chris Bryant’s decision to ban the contentious parade is being challenged by the Portadown Orange Order.
22. The sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson
22. The sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson Oct 15, 2026 1724 A special programme from The State of Us podcast. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey report on the fifteen year prison sentence handed down to Jeffrey Donaldson for child sex abuse. The former DUP leader was convicted in June of rape, gross indecency and indecent assault of two women when they were children. The programme hears what the judge said to the sixty three old former MP and knight of the re
8. Bryant bans parade
8. Bryant bans parade Oct 10, 2026 898 The Secretary of State  says his decision to ban the Orange Order’s Drumcree parade was taken in the best interests of peace. His action came after an agreement couldn’t be reached between the Portadown District Lodge and the Garvaghy Road residents. Sir Chris Bryant said he received advice from the Chief Constable that allowing the march down the mainly nationalist area could lead to serious inju
Trial of the facts: A survivor's story
Trial of the facts: A survivor's story Oct 7, 2026 965 Eleanor Donaldson’s trial of the facts earlier this year, as part of her husband Jeffrey Donaldon’s sex abuse case, brought a complicated legal process into the headlines. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey explain in detail what a trial of the facts is, and why it can be difficult for victims and survivors to navigate. They also hear from a woman whose abuser faced a trial of the facts last year and w
7. Back in court
7. Back in court Oct 5, 2026 800 The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in a bid by Garvaghy Road residents to challenge a decision to allow a controversial Orange Order parade down the predominantly nationalist road. Three judges listened to almost four hours of legal arguments inside a packed courtroom in Belfast. The deadlock over the proposed march in Portadown has lasted since the 27th of September. Declan Harvey and Tara
6. The new legal battle lines
6. The new legal battle lines Sep 30, 2026 819 As the Garvaghy Road residents prepare to head back to the Court of Appeal on Friday we learn more about what police told the Parades Commission before its determination. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey discuss the latest twists in the dispute over the contentious Drumcree march, including some straight-talking remarks from the PSNI chief constable and how an AI image has generated some controversy.
5. Was the law broken?
5. Was the law broken? Sep 29, 2026 875 First Minister Michelle O’Neill has been reported to the police by the Orange Order for attending a protest blocking the Garvaghy Road. What is the law on ‘spontaneous’ protests?
4. Rules v Reality
4. Rules v Reality Sep 28, 2026 995 What are the rules around marching and policing. How do they play out in reality, do they apply to everyone and who enforces them? Tara Mills and Declan Harvey shed more light on the standoff at Drumcree.
3. Inside the court battle
3. Inside the court battle Sep 27, 2026 924 How the courts gave the Drumcree march the go ahead. After the Parades Commission’s decision to allow the march, Garvaghy Rd residents and the Portadown Orange Order took their dispute to court. An overnight 15-hour legal battle ensued.

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