The BelTel
The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Episodes
Donaldson Trial: Jeffrey Donaldson denies child rape, admits affair
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 al
Violence continues as police respond with water cannon
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 co
Man charged over knife attack as bus and homes destroyed in NI race riot chaos
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 invol
Donaldson Trial: Eleanor says husband Jeffrey unfaithful throughout marriage
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 a
Revulsion over 'attempted beheading' in north Belfast
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 horrifie
Donaldson Trial: Jury hears denials during police interviews
“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
"I’m not a soft unionist” says independent MLA Claire Sugden
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 cons
Donaldson Trial: Jeffrey Donaldson asked Witness B to ‘forgive him’, court hears
“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
Donaldson Trial: Court hears Jeffrey Donaldson ‘sent WhatsApp to minister saying he wanted to repent’
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 fac
Donaldson Trial: Witness says she wishes she had “screamed”
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 g
Natalie McNally murderer McCullagh gets 31 years
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.”
Suzanne Breen on the UUP: Beattie and Burrows battle it out
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 Burr
Donaldson Trial: Complainant describes alleged rape
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. S
Donaldson Trial: Eleanor Donaldson “did nothing” when told of an allegation of abuse, Newry court hears
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 g
Former Free Presbyterian minister jailed with Ian Paisley ‘dares’ colleagues to expel him
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 o
Donaldson Trial: Wife planted bug in MP’s car over suspicions of an affair, Newry court hears
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 Donald
Noah Donohoe Inquest: Searching culvert “not a priority”
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
The very public break-up of Tommy Fleming and Tina Mitchell
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 start
Donaldson Trial: Jeffrey Donaldson asked alleged victim for forgiveness for ‘hurt and pain’ caused
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 respo
Donaldson trial: Jury hears complainant wrote to defendants over “secret”
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 alle
Dig begins for disappeared victim 29-year-old Seamus Maguire
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
Pat Finucane: Inquiry set to begin into the Belfast solicitor’s murder
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
Donaldson trial to begin: Attorney General warns public of contempt laws
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 allegatio
Noah Donohoe inquest, week 16: Jury hears of ‘terrifying’ conditions
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 jur
Ulster's Lost Counties: Ed Burke on Loyalism and Paramilitarism in Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal
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 writte
Tattle Life: Why the case against gossip site fell apart
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.  
100 years of Fianna Fáil: The highs, the lows, the controversies
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
Noah Donohoe Inquest: Jury shown footage of Noah’s remains
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&nbs
David Graham: When my kids are 40 there won’t have been border poll, but unionism needs a reset
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
Kew Files: Buried for decades, a mother’s harrowing letter amid officials’ Bloody Sunday papers
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 file
'All Ana wanted was a friend': Eight years on from the disturbing killing of Ana Kriegel
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 Independ
Suzanne Breen on the ‘DUP Civil War’ - five years on
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
Noah Donohoe Inquest: ‘I’ve f***ked it’ - Stormont employee’s panic over unlocked hatch
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 po
Sam McBride’s hunt for Stormont’s secret civil servant on a vast salary
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 Be
David McCann on the challenges facing Sinn Féin and a United Ireland
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 F
PSNI slammed by review of Katie Simpson murder investigation
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 photogra
Kew Files: How DUP tried to get back into Agreement talks – right after walking out
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&nbs
Bonus: Olympic Swimmer Conor Ferguson: How to How to turn setbacks into business lessons | In Good Company
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 w
Julia Holmes: The Castlederg woman, her many aliases, and the lives she destroyed
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
Noah Donohoe: Laptop thief denies photo of hand on teen’s phone is his
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 lapt
Dissident Republicans strike again as bomb explodes at west Belfast PSNI station
Dissident republican bombers have struck twice in recent weeks. On Saturday a bomb exploded at Dunmurry PSNI station in Belfast. The bombers used an almost identical method to those who tried to attack Lurgan police station last month. In both attacks a delivery driver was hijacked, threatened, and told to drive the bomb to its target. These attacks, claimed by the New IRA, came after a lull in v
Kew Files: Spooks tried to suppress Stakeknife story – and feared McGuinness article
Today we know that Stakeknife existed, and that he was Freddie Scappaticci. We know that Scappaticci, at the top of the IRA unit hunting informers was himself an informer for British security forces. But prior to the story being brought to light by journalist Liam Clarke, then at the Sunday Times, the public, and indeed the IRA, had no i
Stormont backed CIA-linked firm's software used by Donald Trump’s ICE
Stormont, through Invest NI, is funding a CIA-linked firm whose secretive and powerful tech is being used by Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown force - ICE Software developed in Belfast by Nisos, a company founded by former intelligence operatives, is now being used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. A former Nisos&n
Noah Donohoe: Daryl Paul says he’s telling the truth
The Noah Donohoe inquest has been hearing evidence from Daryl Paul – the man convicted of stealing the teenager’s rucksack. It had earlier heard in evidence from Maria Nolan that claims the teenager had been attacked were based on “rumour and speculation”. Earlier this week, the inquest heard that PSNI officers searching for Noah “never”
LucidTalk: Majority believe Gerry Adams was in IRA – but don’t care
A majority of those polled in from the latest Belfast Telegraph / Lucidtalk polling believe that Gerry Adams was a member of the IRA. The former Sinn Féin leader has always denied being a member of the organisation. However, the overwhelming majority of people across the political spectrum say the matter has no impac
Kew Files: What happened when the Garda arrested the SAS men
When a lone Garda decided to arrest a squad of SAS men found in the Republic of Ireland on 1976, little did he know he had sparked an international incident which would involve the Taoiseach and Prime Minister – or that it would see the Irish government interfere with the justice system. Top secret files have revealed how the PM drew up a law to let two SAS men go on the run fr
“I didn’t kill my little brother” - Brian McDermott’s brother says he can’t move forward because family blame him
The chief and only suspect in a Belfast satanic-style murder of a 10-year-old schoolboy is maintaining his innocence. Billy McDermott says he did not kill his little brother Brian. Brian McDermott’s dismembered remains were found in the River Lagan in 1973. Now living in England, Billy McDermott says his life has been ruined by accusations over the notorious murder of his sibling. The S
Noah Donohoe: Expert believes teen likely died the night he went missing
The jury at the inquest on the death of Noah Donohoe has now heard an 11th week of evidence. Noah had been missing for six days after leaving his home in south Belfast before his body was discovered in a north Belfast culvert. On Monday, an expert witness said it is likely that the 14-year-old died close to midnight on the day he went missing, as the tide rose in the culvert. A
Kew Files: Gerry Adams the focus of declassified docs – including Workers Party sectarian claims
Gerry Adams features heavily in now declassified documents and reveal that the British considered him, along with Martin McGuinness, to be the leaders of republicanism. Mr Adams denies ever being a member of the IRA, but a formerly secret document includes a claim that he was re-elected t
How Rory McIlroy compares to golfing greats after another Masters win
Rory McIlroy has joined Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods in the exclusive club of men who have won the Masters back-to-back. At Augusta National on Sunday night the co. Down man produced an assured performance to win by a single shot.Can Northern Ireland’s most famous son add more majors to his CV and where does he rank in the grand pantheon of golfing greats?Keith Bailie is joined by Bel
Sex, lies and video tape: Julie McGinley and the murder of husband Gerry McGinley
On a spring morning in June 2001 an eight-year-old girl gathers moss for her grandmother’s hanging baskets in a forest near Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. The child lets out a scream, she had discovered a body. The remains belonged to Enniskillen businessman, Gerry McGinley and it was clear that he been murdered.&nbs
Black Widow Part 2: The trial of Catherine Nevin and the media sensation that followed
30 years on from the violent killing of publican Tom Nevin, part two of this special podcast looks at how Nevin's wife, Catherine Nevin, emerged as the prime suspect; the murder trial and media blitz that followed; and why Ireland’s ‘Black Widow’ still fascinates us to this day. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Mary Wilson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo
Black Widow Part 1: The murder of Tom Nevin and one of Ireland’s most notorious criminal cases
Thirty years ago, Wicklow publican Tom Nevin was shot dead as he counted the takings following a busy day at Jack White’s Inn. Initially, the incident appeared to be a robbery gone wrong, but grieving wife Catherine Nevin would eventually emerge as the prime suspect and later come to be known as ‘The Black Widow’. On the first of a two-part special, we look back at how one of Ireland’s most famous
Roger Casement: Protestant British hero who became a 'rebel and a traitor'
Roger Casement was hanged in August 1916 for treason against the Crown. Formerly Sir Roger, his assistance to Germany during the First World Ward was undeniable and from a British point of view he was a traitor. From from an Irish nationalist point of view, he was a rebel and a hero who now took his place in history among
‘Among Communists’: Belfast poet, Sinéad Morrisey tells her family and political story
Belfast poet, Sinéad Morrisey, was brought up in a Communist family. Hers was a childhood lived in the little world created by the party, a world apart from others and from the Troubles. It involved smoke-filled rooms, endless meetings, and dreams of a future utopia – coupled with a belief that east of the Iron Curtain, there were people already living in it. &
Noah Donohoe: Witness denies phoning cops over teen’s laptop
Members of the jury in the Noah Donohoe inquest have been asked to indicate their availability for the month of May. The inquest officially began on the 19th of January and was expected to finish up in mid-March. Fourteen-year-old Noah’s body was discovered in north Belfast on the 27 of June 2020 - six days after he had gone missing. &n
‘Boston Tapes’ Troubles archive ‘closed’ but not forgotten
It was supposed to be an oral record of the Troubles, made by the paramilitaries, and initially the ‘Boston Tapes’ project seemed like a really good idea, albeit one which would include descriptions of violence and terror. The concept was simple – former paramilitaries would be interviewed, the tapes would then be kept in storage, and their stories
Stephen McCullagh: What we couldn't report while Natalie McNally murder trial was ongoing
Murderer Stephen McCullagh has been aptly described as “a monster hiding in plain sight”.A week on from his conviction there has been a lot of reaction to the the nerd-culture YouTuber’s conviction of murdering Natalie McNally.He denied the killing, but the jury unanimously found him guilty in a matter of hours. He has yet to be given his tariff, but Natalie’s family says he should never be let ou
Noah Donohoe: Jury hears ninth week of evidence
The jury at the inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has now heard nine weeks of evidence – the process could last until May. This week they heard more on how police dealt with CCTV footage of the missing teenager and how his school books were found in a Belfast flat. A police officer also revealed that he was briefed before he spoke&
Stormont’s extreme censorship of Famine remarks – and how we unravelled it
‘How I stumbled on Stormont’s new policy of extreme censorship - which means we’ll understand NI’s past less fully’. That was the stark headline on a recent comment piece from my colleague Sam McBride – the Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor. He discovered the unannounced policy whilst exploring declassified files in London -
Youtuber Stephen McCullagh guilty of murdering of Natalie McNally
Stephen McCullagh has been found guilty of murdering Lurgan woman Natalie McNally. The jury unanimously convicted 36-year-old McCullagh, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, of killing the 32-year-old mother to be in December 2022. The four-week trial heard how McCullagh murdered Ms McNally after setting up a “false alibi” that he was livestreaming a
Rory O’Connor: The Anti-Treaty IRA leader executed by his former friends
IRA leader Rory O’Connor was once a close comrade of fellow republican Michael Collins and Kevin O’Higgins - indeed he was O’Higgins best man. But just over a year later after the wedding, O’Higgins signed his friend’s death warrant. O’Connor’s execution along with Liam Mellows, Dick Barrett and Joe McKelvey, added to the bitterness of Ireland’s civil war an
Inside the Gerry Adams landmark £1 IRA court case
UPDATE: Victims drop High Court claim against Gerry Adams over IRA bombingsFor decades, Gerry Adams has denied being a member of the Provisional IRA. Now, for the first time, that claim is being challenged in an English courtroom. Three men, all victims of separate IRA bombings, have taken civil action against the former Sinn Féin leader for the symbolic sum of&n
Stephen McCullagh trial: Prosecution says accused “lied and lied again”, defence says evidence points to “another killer”
The man accused of murdering Natalie McNally “lied and lied again”, a barrister has told Belfast Crown Court. Delivering his closing statement in the case, prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC reminded the jury that the accused Stephen McCullagh had chosen not to give evidence to his trial. However, defence barrister John Kearney KC said the case against Stephen McCullagh is
Noah Donohoe: No evidence of drugs in teen’s system at the time of death, witness says
A witness says the unusual behaviour exhibited by Noah Donohoe prior to his disappearance could be associated with synthetic cannabinoids or a mental health condition. The jury at the inquest into the teenager’s death heard evidence from the toxicologists on Wednesday. Noah’s body was discovered in north Belfast on 27 June2020 - six days after the St Malachy’s College student went
What sort of St Patrick's Day will Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin have in Donald Trump's White House?
This time last year, Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin was grasping an American-flag emblazoned short straw, playing second fiddle to Conor McGregor as our disgraced UFC representative took the St Patrick’s Day podium. Now that the Taoiseach has been restored to March 17 parity, he has one hell of a job on his hands. What kind of reception awaits him in Donald Trump’s Oval Office next week? &nbs
'The Child Snatcher': Who was serial killer Robert Black?
Serial killer Robert Black is now the subject of Netflix documentary 'Manhunt: The Child Snatcher'. Black was a monster, an abuser and murder of little girls - he was the child snatcher that all parents feared. His first murder victim we can be certain of was nine-year-old Co Antrim child Jennifer Cardy on 12 August 1981.He was convicted of killing four young girls but is suspected of abusing and
Musk’s AI Grokipedia makes a mess of NI history
Elon Musk has built an encyclopedia which contains countless errors about Northern Ireland and its history. Grokipedia, which was launched in October last year, now has more than six million AI generated articles, but many articles related to Northern Ireland contain major mistakes or are highly misleading. The AI encyclopedia says that Ian Paisleys paramilitary Third Force was operating
Stephen McCullagh Trial: Court outbursts as witness denies murdering Natalie McNally
An ex-partner of Natalie McNally has told a court that he did not kill the Co Armagh woman. Ms McNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed at her home in Lurgan on December 18 2022. On his third and final day of evidence, the witness shouted “you killed her” in an angry courtroom outburst at Stephen McCullagh, who stands accused of her murder. Her pa
Stephen McCullagh Trial: Natalie McNally’s ex-boyfriend arrested last week ‘over threats to kill woman’
A former partner of Natalie McNally was arrested last week on suspicion of making threats to kill a woman he had been seeing at the time of Ms McNally’s death, court has heard. The anonymous ex-boyfriend of Ms McNally told the court he reset his phone to factory settings after learning detectives were at his home in connection with the murder investigation, claiming h
Noah Donohoe: Pathologists agree teenager’s cause of death was drowning with ‘no indication’ of assault
Pathologists at the inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe have agreed that his cause of death was drowning, with no indication of assault. All three pathologists agreed there was “no positive evidence” of toxicological contribution to Noah’s death, but this could not be excluded because of the limitations on toxicological analysis. Liam Tunney joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See
Desmond Boomer: The mystery of Malta plane accident, and the Belfast Engineer who never came home
In the early hours of December 3, 1995, a small aircraft vanished over the Mediterranean. On board was Belfast-born engineer Desi Boomer, travelling home from Libya’s oil fields to Northern Ireland via Malta. Instead of welcoming him home, Desi’s wife Mandy received a visit from two RUC officers telling her the plane had disappeared. Initially treated as a routine aviation accident,
Stephen McCullagh Trial: Man accused of Natalie McNally murder ‘recorded ex’s counselling sessions after she lost child’
The trial of Stephen McCullagh for the murder of Natalie McNally is continuing at Belfast Crown Court. In court today, a former partner of the murder accused gave evidence. The woman alleged that McCullagh had ‘recorded’ counselling sessions after she had suffered a stillbirth. She also said she withdrew a 2019 police statement relating to an alleged assault by McCullagh. Natalie McNall
Noah Donohoe: Jury shown transcript of phone call involving man selling teen’s possessions
The inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe has concluded its sixth week. Today in court the jury was shown a transcript of anonymous phone call involving man selling schoolboy’s possessions. On Wednesday, Sergeant Hutchings, a leading officer in the search for Noah, faced questions over whether police actions had delayed the identification of the culvert where the teenag
John George Murder Suspect killed in Spain
One of the main suspects in the murder of west Belfast man John George has been shot dead in the Costa Blanca. Michel Maly, a former soldier from the Czech republic, was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday morning in Torrevieja in the Alicante region of Spain. He had been on bail in connection with the murder of father-of-two John George, whose body was discovered
Man abused at NI ‘Christian nightclub’ accuses Presbyterian Church and PSNI of failing him and ‘other victims’
A man who was abused at a so-called ‘Christian nightclub’ has accused the Presbyterian Church and the PSNI of failing him and other potential victims. Ross Hunter, now 39 years old, says he was sexually abused by his cousin Jonathan Hyndman, who was a youth leader in a co. Londonderry church in the 1990s. Hyndman, who became a policeman in the
Stephen McCullagh Trial: Murder accused told police Natalie McNally was “having problems with her ex” when arrested in connection with killing
The trial of Stephen McCullagh for the murder of 32-year-old Natalie McNally has entered its second week. Today in court a transcript was read out of McCullagh’s first interview with police, where he said Natalie was “having problems with her ex”. Ms McNally was killed at her home in Lurgan, suffering fatal injuries in what has been described as a “prolonged attack”. McCullagh (36) denies murderin
'Within seconds it turned violent': The ‘Love Ulster’ riots 20 years on
Twenty years ago this week, Willie Frazer's planned ‘Love Ulster’ march ended in some of the worst riots ever witnessed in Dublin city centre. So how did a bright and busy Saturday afternoon descend into violence, disorder and chaos? We hear a first-hand account from a journalist who reported on the scene.Host: Fionnán Sheahan | Guest: Neil Fetherstonhaugh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo
Noah Donohoe: People who ‘inserted themselves’ into the search caused difficulties for police, witness tells inquest
Individuals who ‘inserted themselves’ into the search for Noah Donohoe caused difficulties for police, the inquest into the 14-year-old's death has heard. On Wednesday it was revealed that more than 100 volunteers helped search for the schoolboy. One of those volunteers showed he could put his whole body through the bars leading to the culvert. It was also said in court that a
Stephen McCullagh trial: Jury shown YouTube ‘live stream’ from night Natalie McNally was killed
The trial of the man accused of murdering Natalie McNally is continuing in Belfast. 36-year-old Stephen McCullagh of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies murdering Ms McNally. She was fifteen weeks pregnant when was killed at her home in Lurgan in December 2022. On Tuesday, the state pathologist outlined the injuries she sustained in a prolonged attack – including defence&n
