The BelTel

Iain Hay Gordon, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering Patricia Curran, joins to discuss the shocking revelations from declassified documents indicating government officials knew he was innocent but suppressed the truth. The conversation dives into the coercive interrogation tactics that led to his false confession and the political tensions in Northern Ireland at the time. Gordon reflects on the complexities of the judicial system and the ethical implications of reopening his case amidst fears of undermining public trust in the judiciary.

Patricia Curran’s mutilated body was discovered just 40 yards from her home at 2 o’clock in the morning on the 13th of November 1952.   She was a judge’s daughter – savagely stabbed to death - the pressure was on to find her killer.  An innocent - but compromised man - Ian Hay Gordon, was eventually blackmailed into signing a confession and sent to a Psychiatric hospital – only to be quietly released and packed off to home to Scotland.  In this episode of the BelTel, Journalist Stephen Gordon, tells us about meeting Patricia’s brother Desmond – who spent his life as a Catholic Priest in South Africa – a life some think was an act of redemption. And we ask the biggest question of all – if Ian Hay Gordon didn’t kill Patricia – then who did?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The early hours of the morning on the 12th of November 1952, a judge’s daughter, Patricia Curran, is found dead in the garden of her family home. She had been stabbed 37 times.  The BelTel looks at the shocking killing and how Ian Hay Gordon Gordon, a young Scot doing his national service in the RAF, was intimidated into signing a false confession, frightened that his mother would find out about his sex life.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by journalist Stephen Gordon, who’s been fascinated by this horrific murder for a long time.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam McBride, the Northern Ireland editor for the Belfast Telegraph, dives into the shock resignation of Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie. He discusses the internal strife that led to Beattie's departure and its ripple effects on party dynamics. McBride highlights the complexities of leadership within a decentralized party structure and the significance of honesty in politics. The conversation also explores the challenges of succession and the uncertain future of unionist politics, raising questions about potential mergers or new party formations.

The body of Portadown woman Margaret Perry was found a year after she went missing, the bodies of three men the IRA itself accused of her murder were found three days later. The IRA also accused them, all members or former members, of being British agents. Their bodies were found by different roadsides in Northern Ireland’s ‘murder triangle’. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar. This podcast was originally published in January 2024.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour government has extended a ban on puberty blockers in the UK mainland. However, Stormont's Department of Health has confirmed that puberty blockers for children will remain legal in Northern Ireland, meaning that NI could become a backdoor for getting the drugs into Britain. Olivia Peden is joined by Sam McBride who wrote the story, Helen Joyce and Alexa Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Irish League season gets underway this weekend with Tiernan Lynch’s Larne chasing their third Sports Direct Premiership title in as many years.Can anyone stop them? Host Keith Bailie is joined by Chief Sportswriter Steven Beacom and Belfast Telegraph columnist and legendary Linfield manager David Jeffrey to discuss disappointing performances in European competition, the format of the top flight and give their verdict on each of the 12 Premiership teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An anti immigration protest on Saturday afternoon has resulted in three nights of violence across South Belfast. Several businesses have been attacked, including a supermarket owned by a Syrian refugee and one man has been seriously assaulted. With further protests planned for this weekend, policing is in the spotlight. Alison Morris is joined by Belfast Telegraph visuals editor, Kevin Scott.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr John Kyle is a former deputy leader of the PUP, the UVF’s political wing. He represented the loyalist party on Belfast City Council for 16 years. He joined the party after being inspired by UVF leader Gusty Spence and PUP leader David Ervine’s vision to transform their communities. He joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, John Connolly, a leader linked to the Continuity IRA, shares his controversial views on the Ukraine war, dubbing it a NATO-funded proxy conflict. The conversation reveals alarming allegations of the INLA receiving dark money from the Russian state, possibly fueling a rise in violent activities, including an attack on a charity. Connolly also delves into historical ties between the INLA and Russia, shedding light on the broader implications of foreign influence on Northern Irish politics and the complexity of misinformation surrounding these issues.