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
Maura Lyons: The Rev Ian Paisley and the 15-year-old 'abducted' from west Belfast
The Rev Ian Paisley rose to prominence as the face of hardline unionism but the first time some would have heard of him would have been in connection with Maura Lyons. In 1956, the west Belfast teenager was smuggled to Scotland by members of the Free Presbyterian Church. She was a 15-year-old Catholic girl who converted to Free Presbyterianism, in the face of the strong objections of her family. T
‘Peace at last’: The 1994 Loyalist Ceasefires
On the 13 October 1994, six weeks after the IRA announced a ‘complete cessation’, the Loyalist paramilitary groups declared their ceasefires. The UVF’s Gusty Spence announced loyalist violence was over, in a step that is seen as one of the vital steps towards a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by former PUP leader Billy Hutchinson, Historian Aaron Edwards, and journalists
Jon Burrows and the UUP in a fix as Mike Nesbitt resigns
The UUP's Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister – with a stinging public resignation letter aimed at his UUP leader Jon BurrowsThe row is over retaining emergency general surgery at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The Northern Trust had recommended its closure, despite widespread local opposition.Jon Burrows told a public meeting in Coleraine that he wouldn't support any closure – despi
'It’s Over’: The 1994 IRA 'ceasefire'
After 25 years of what it termed ‘Armed Struggle’ and the ‘Long War’ , the Provisional IRA called a “complete cessation of military operations” on 31st August 1994 – 30 years ago. By that stage, the organisation was responsible for the deaths of 1,700 people. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalists Brian Rowan and Allison Morris, Former Belfast Telegraph Editor Ed Curran and historian Fearghal Mac
Families search for truth over 1983 south Armagh murders
Paddy Mackin and Eamon MacMahon's bodies were found on the morning of the 13th of July, 1983. They both had been blasted with a shotgun as close range. The murders of the 34 year olds were first blamed on INLA leaders Dominic and Mary McGlinchey. But their families don’t believe that – they believe “other republicans” were involved. They claim that an in
Culture war rages in the wake of Prof Jason Arday resignation
UPDATE: Professor Jason Arday was found deceased in London on Friday afternoon. He was found at an address in Battersea and pronounced dead at the scene. At 37, Jason Arday became the University of Cambridge’s youngest black professor. However, he found himself at the center of a plagiarism accusations which cast a shadow over his career – and thrust him into the international limelight
Fleadh Cheoil hailed as an enormous success for Belfast
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann took over Belfast City Centre for over a week drawing huge crowds. The all-Ireland traditional Irish music competition and festival has been near universally hailed as an enormous success. It has been cited as having made a massive cultural, social, and economic impact on the city. How much money was made? What impact will it have on the Fleadh,
Inside the court as alleged godfather Daniel Kinahan charged and jailed
Daniel Kinahan sounded bemused when he described the frenzy around his life as “movie stuff”, but the scenes that accompanied his trip back to Ireland were undeniably cinematic. A trip on a €53m government jet that was tracked by the public in real-time, a ring of steel around parts of Dublin as he was escorted in a bomb-proof convoy, and a long-awaited appointment at the Criminal Courts of J
'Where have all the Prods gone?': 'Exodus' from Londonderry 'ignored'
The Protestant exodus from Londonderry's cityside was ‘largely ignored or denied’ according to a new report.Its authors say they would like to see 'acknowledgement’ and 'acceptance' of the massive population shift and its causes. A report says the mass movement from the west to the east bank of the Foyle was not down to "one event or cause” — but violence had a “major impact
Mystery as News Letter editor Ben Lowry dumped – and won't be replaced
Ben Lowry is no longer the editor of the News Letter. The outspoken commentator was removed from his position without explanation. Mr Lowry had spent 19 years at what is the world's oldest continuously published English language daily newspaper. The 288-year-old unionist paper now appears to be drifting without an editor at the helm. The Belfast Telegraph has been told that staff ar
New IRA: Republican terror group active on both sides of the border
The seizure last week of a bomb containing almost 400g of Semtex plastic explosive has put the New IRA back on to the front pages after a lull in violence.Two people connected to the political group Saoradh have been charged in relation to the incident. The sophisticated device has fuel fears that the group has gained access to fresh stocks of military-grade explosives.The New IRA has been long be
West Belfast accountant blames office arson on death driver's friends
A west Belfast Accountant whose business was destroyed in an arson attack is blaming associates of a convicted death driver. Tim ‘Timo’ Molloy says people close to Martin Olali Jnr, who is awaiting sentencing for mowing down a pedestrian and his pet dog in a hit-and-run, are to blame. Mr Molloy’s office, which he lived above, was torched in May 2025 as he slept, he says thugs linke
LucidTalk Polling: DUP's support tanks in Donaldson aftermath
The DUP's support has slumped disastrously – that's according to the latest Belfast Telegraph / LucidTalk polling. The dramatic fall in backing for the party comes in the wake of former leader Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction for child sex offences. Sinn Féin and the Alliance party have also seen a drop in their support. This is all good news for the TUV, the SDLP, a
The alleged New IRA bomb plot, the law student and the museum worker
A “significant” bomb built for “catastrophic” damage, and a suspected plot to bring violence to the north-west of Northern Ireland. The foiling of an alleged New IRA plot to detonate a bomb was a stark reminder of the dissident republican activity that quietly continues on both sides of the border. At the heart of the case are two suspects: Simon O’Donovan (44), an employee at the National Mu
The Derry murder of Paul McCauley: ‘It was like a black cloud of grief over this city’
In July 2000, a summer barbecue ended in unimaginable violence. Father-of-one Paul McCauley (29), alongside his two friends, were brutally beaten by a loyalist mob in the Chapel Road area of Derry, in what police described as an unprovoked sectarian attack. Paul never regained consciousness – spending almost a decade in care before dying from his injuries in 2015. Olivia
NI’s poshest hotel offers prize for hard-right gathering featuring conspiracy theorists and antivaxxers
Last week in London the great and good of the political right arrived for a conference focusing on ‘saving the west’. The three-day CPAC event hosted a star-studded cast – from Nigel Farage, to Liz Truss, to Ian Paisley Jr. It also hosted conspiracy theorist and anti-vaccine speakers. At the ‘Winston Churchill Gala Dinner’ in the programme, one of the prizes was a stay at The Galgorm, i
Andrew and Tristan Tate's falling empire – 59 charges, Miami jail and UK extradition fight
This episode contains references to rape and sexual assault, and may not be suitable for everyone.Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, like to talk about male empowerment and freedom, yet both are currently shackled away from the outside world. Arrested last weekend by US authorities, the pair are unlikely to find that the confines of a Miami jail cell measure up to the lavish lifestyl
Does Andy Burnham really care about Northern Ireland?
Andy Burnham has officially entered Downing Street, and has shook up the Labour Cabinet. In his maiden speech, the former mayor of Manchester has vowed “take power out of downing street, and carry it into every postcode in the land”. Ministers have been swiftly replaced, from the chancellor to Northern Ireland’s Secretary of state, with Welsh MP Chris Bryant replacing Hilary Benn. So wha
Craigyhill UDA chief says he has "nothing to hide" after cops make murder appeal
The UDA chief behind the Craigyhill bonfire in Larne won’t answer questions about his knowledge of an unsolved murder. David Murray says he has “nothing to hide”. But - he might be feeling the heat after police launched a fresh appeal about the loyalist-feud killing of Andrew Cairns in Larne in 2000. Murray was initially charged with murdering the UVF man, who was beaten before bring shot in
“Clearly we have an issue”: Ballymena murder-suicide latest in number of similar tragedies to shock public
On Monday morning an horrific discovery was made in Ballymena - the remains of three people were found inside a house on the Old Cullybackey Road – a man, a woman and an eight-year-old girl. It is believed that the man murdered his wife and child before ending his own life, a year after a similar tragedy in Co. Fermanagh. Since 2017 there have been 13 women and children murdered i
Ann Widdecombe killed in ‘targeted attack’, say counter-terrorism police
The murder of firebrand politician Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through the British establishment, prompting fresh debate around the safety of public figures. An unapologetic straight-talking stateswoman, Widdecombe served as an MP for 23 years, and was famed for controversial outspoken views on abortion, gay rights and women’s issues. Despite her divisive nature, Widde
Where did Jeffrey Donaldson’s fortune go – and can he afford an appeal?
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson earned massive sums over a successful career. But the Belfast Telegraph understands the now convicted pedophile's fortune is ebbing away – and that he still has a mortgage on his Dromore home. He has to pay a legal bill of half a million pounds – can he afford an appeal? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. S
The Orange Order and the Twelfth, how did it come about?
Long associated with the Orange Order, marching bands and bonfires – the Twelfth goes back a long way. But what is the origin of the celebrations, of the order itself and does the organisation have a future? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Dr David Hume.This episode of The BelTel was originally released in July 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Conor McGregor: Why does America keep giving the disgraced fighter a platform?
t’s fight week, and Conor McGregor has come out swinging. ‘The Notorious’ finally steps back into a UFC octagon this weekend for a main event match-up, and while some are questioning his physical prowess, his microphone game remains as brash as ever. Sat in front of the media once more, McGregor espoused his divine beliefs, proclaimed his innocence and once again weighed in
Bonfire season heats up as man arrested following replica of mosque placed on pyre
Summer has begun, and once again, controversies continue to surround bonfire season. A man has been arrested over the erection of a replica of a mosque on top of a bonfire in Moygashel with a loyalist source in the area warning that any attempt to move in on the bonfire will result in a ‘stand-off’. Paramilitary flags remain flying on streets and other bonfires across Northern Ireland ju
Woman claims Jeffrey Donaldson sexually assaulted her in Westminster DUP offices
Jeffrey Donaldson looks set to be investigated again after a further allegation of sexual assault on a woman in the DUP offices at Westminster. The young woman at the heart of the allegations says that the former DUP leader tried to get her to drink vodka shots in his office, that she refused to do, before he allegedly tried to kiss her on the mouth and put his hand up her skirt.The DUP has commis
New evidence revealed as John George murder trial expected to begin in January
The trial for the murder of father-of-two John George is expected to begin in January 2027. The remaining suspect in the case, Newtownabbey man Johnny Smyth, is in a Spanish jail awaiting trial. A man who was occupying the villa where John George was last seen was stabbed in Lisburn City Centre last week - after previously suffering a knife attack in spain last year.Meanwhile, footage has emerged
Noah Donohoe inquest adjourned following ‘unprecedented’ late night sitting
The Noah Donohoe inquest has been adjourned until later in the year following an “unprecedented” late-night sitting. Jurors were sent out on Tuesday to begin discussions about their verdict and had been deliberating for almost 25 hours. The jury of eight men and two women were asked to deliver a verdict on teen’s death, and were asked to cover “what police knew, when they knew it an
'In the first four weeks, I spent £3 million' : The east Belfast man who won £10 million
In 1996, Peter Lavery's life changed overnight. The Short Strand man was earning £300 a week driving buses when he became one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever lottery winners, scooping up a £10.2 million. Nearly 30 years later, he's one of Belfast's best-known businessmen. Today, he's the founder of Titanic Distillers, bringing whiskey production back to the city for the first tim
Jeffrey Donaldson: Did MI5 and PSNI know of MP’s innapropriate behaviour?
Two decades ago, a senior PSNI detective who had come from MI5 headquarters in London saw something he couldn’t believe – DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson entering a gay sauna.That story, which was revealed last week, has fed into speculation around what the police and intelligence services knew about Jeffrey Donaldson’s behaviour. It has now become clear that police were aware of the far more seriou
Affairs, gay saunas, and drinking excessively: Former MLA on the Jeffrey Donaldson he knew
Jeffrey Donaldson was an “unmitigated liar” and was living a double life while working in Westminster – according to former DUP MLA Jim Wells. In the days following Jeffrey Donaldson’s guilty verdict for child sex offences, more information has arisen about the disgraced MPs personal life – including affairs, the use of gay saunas, a
Is Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots out of control? A strange decision, a huge U-turn...and no explanation
Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots has performed a massive U-turn on a strange decision which has caused unusual controversy around Stormont. Last month, Mr Poots blocked MLAs from discussing a proposal which survivors of abuse wanted to become law.The episode was extraordinary - because a large majority of MLAs not only wanted to discuss the proposal, but to vote for it to become law.Mr Poots has now c
Jeffrey Donaldson: Convicted paedophile’s mentor Enoch Powell also accused of preying on children in NI
Throughout the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson, his work for what he called “the local MP” was referenced in court. That MP was Enoch Powell – one of the most controversial British politicians of the 20th century. Donaldson served as Powell’s election agent in the mid-80s. Powell, who passed away in 1998, had been accused of being a paedophile, wit
Jeffrey Donaldson: Allison Morris on what we couldn’t report while trial was ongoing
Jeffrey Donaldson has begun his new life in Maghaberry Prison. Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor, are set to be stripped of their honours. The former MP and DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child sex offences on Monday - including one count of rape. The 63-year-old had pleaded not guilty, but the jury of seven men and five considered its verdicts for te
“Donaldson was a fraud”: Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen react as Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of sex offences
Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sex offences, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. The offences were against two women when they were children. His wife Eleanor Donaldson has been found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts. The leaders of the UUP and TUV immedi
GUILTY: Jeffrey Donaldson is now a convicted child rapist
Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of all charges – the judge said prison is “inevitable”. A jury of seven men and five women had considered its verdicts for more than nine hours over two days, and reached a verdict just after lunch on Monday. The 63-year-old former MP had pleaded not guilty to 18 offences including one count of rape. His wife Eleanor Do
Extra: Starmer out - 'de facto' PM Andy Burnham in
Another British Prime Minister is heading for the exit. Just days after insisting he would stay and fight, Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, bringing a sorry end to a premiership that lasted just two years. With his only serious rival out of the running, Andy Burnham now appears to have a clear path to Downing Street. Enda Brady joins Fionnan Sheahan to discuss how Burnham could approach
Nicola Tallant on why Katie Simpson’s tragic murder leaves so many unanswered questions
Katie Simpson was a talented showjumper whose short adult life centred around the equine industry she'd grown up in. So, when first responders collected her, unconscious and not breathing, from the care of Jonathan Creswell, who would eventually be charged with her murder, police initially believed his claim that he'd found her hanging at home.Creswell died by suicide in the early days of his tria
Noah Donohoe: ‘Questions over teen’s death may never be answered’, final witness tells inquest
Noah Donohoe’s remains were found in a storm drain in north Belfast on June 27, 2020. The 14-year-old had gone missing six days earlier. A post-mortem examination found that the likely cause of death was drowning. The inquest into his death, which is being heard before a jury, is in its 20th week. The jury has now heard from Detective Chief Inspect
Donaldson Trial: Evidence “not sufficiently reliable” to convict, court hears
Jeffrey Donaldson’s trial is nearing its end. The court has now heard the closing arguments – all that remains is for the judge to give directions to the jury. On Wednesday, Donaldson’s barrister told the jury the complainants were “not sufficiently reliable enough to drive you to a sure conclusion that he is guilty”. 63-year-old Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged off
Sam McBride assaulted as he questions protesters in east Belfast
Belfast Telegraph’s Sam McBride went to East Belfast to ask people blocking a road – albeit peacefully – why they were protesting. That led to him being assaulted, challenged to a fight, intimidated and sworn at. The fallout from last week’s riots continues with 35 arrests, and 23 people charged. Police have described the events as “inexcusable lawlessness”. Sam McBride joined Ciará
Donaldson Trial: ‘It is their word against his word’, defence tells jury
A prosecution barrister has told a jury that the two complainants in the case against Jeffrey Donaldson had ‘No reason to lie’. But Jeffrey Donaldson’s barrister has told the jury to look at evidence ‘dispassionately’, and that “When all is said and done, it is their word against his word”. Rosemary Walsh KC, for the prosecution, told the jury in Newry Crown Court that Jeffrey Donaldson’
Ambush in Adare: The IRA killing of Garda Jerry McCabe and why case still remains open
His killing shocked Ireland, cast a shadow over the peace process, and left a family searching for justice. Fionnán Sheahan and John Downing look back at the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, the political fallout, and why the case remains open three decades later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donaldson Trial: Prosecution accuses Jeffrey Donaldson of ‘sinful and deceitful lies’
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has now been cross-examined by the prosecution in Newry Crown Court where he is on trial over 18 alleged offences. He has plead not guilty to charges including rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. Both complainants alleged they were abused as children. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road in Dromore, denies several charges of aiding
Noah Donohoe: Mental health experts agree Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life had ‘influence’ on teen
The inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe has now heard its 19th week of evidence. The inquest has now heard from mental health experts - one said it ‘feels like there is so much we don’t know about this case’. But the experts do agree that Noah is “unlikely to have died by suicide”. They also agreed that Jordan Peterson’s book ‘12 Rules For Life’ would have had an “influence” on Noah
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
