

The BelTel
Belfast Telegraph
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 21, 2024 • 22min
Newtownards Falklands and Troubles veteran on the reality of war
Graham Eve boasts a military career which spanned over 8000 miles. A member of the 2nd Parachute Regiment in NI he witnessed 16 of their men being killed in the Warrenpoint ambush in 1979. His service later carried him to the Falkland Islands, where scenes got even bloodier. The former Paratrooper and gun team commander joins Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 16, 2024 • 29min
Suzanne Breen on Jeffrey Donaldson’s potential replacement in Lagan Valley
The arrest of DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson at the end of last month came as a shock to those in the party and beyond. Although he is now an independent MP, questions now have to be answering about who the DUP will stand in the general election. Donaldson’s resignation could prove an opportunity for the Alliance Party to gain a seat in Lagan Valley. Belfast Telegraph’s political editor Suzanne Breen joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 2024 • 22min
Middle East on the brink after Iran's unprecedented revenge attack on Israel
As the death toll in Gaza reaches 35,000, there has been a dangerous spike in tensions across the Middle East. In a serious escalation of the crisis in the region, Iran made its first ever direct attack on Israeli soil on Saturday, sending hundreds of drones and missiles across the desert, the majority of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. But as the West urges restraint, is a larger conflict in the region on the horizon? Host: Fionnán Sheehan. Guests: Declan Power and Claire Herriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 2024 • 25min
The Kew Files: Sam McBride on the secret papers on Peter Robinson, Ulster Resistance and Emma Little-Pengelly's father
The Kew Files have revealed some of Northern Ireland's hidden secrets on unionism and loyalism. In part 2 of a 2-part special of the BelTel, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to discuss the Kew Files and what they can tell us about Ex-DUP leader Peter Robinson, Ulster Resistance and the paramilitary activity the UK Government suspected Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly's father, Noel Little. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 2024 • 25min
The Kew Files: Sam McBride and the secret files on Martin McGuinness, the IRA and SDLP
Thousands of declassified files on Northern Ireland and the troubles have been deposited, not in Belfast, but in the Kew Archives in London. In part 1 of a 2-part special of the BelTel, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride to discuss the Kew Files and what they tell us about Martin McGuinness, the IRA and the SDLP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 9, 2024 • 28min
A United Ireland: Inevitable or a fantasy?
Nationalists continue to campaign for planning a united Ireland, but Unionists seem assured it’s a pipe dream – where does the truth lie – or is it impossible to say? Is a United Ireland a realistic prospect or pure fantasy, inevitable or impossible? David McCann and Owen Polley join Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 7, 2024 • 20min
Gerard ‘Hucker’ Moyna: From killing Lenny Murphy for the IRA to IPLO feuds
Prolific republican gunman Gerard ‘Hucker’ Moyna has died aged 69. He has been linked to several murders – including that of Shankill Butcher Lenny Murphy. He was also believed to be involved in the killing of solicitor and unionist politician, Edgar Graham – as well as IPLO spokesman, Jimmy Brown. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2024 • 29min
Private Investigator: Ian Withers on tracking the IRA, informing for the Seychelles government and murder allegations
Globe-trotting Private Investigator Ian Withers reflects on his extraordinary career, from speaking to Gerry Kelly in prison after the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, tracking the IRA’s Hyde Park bomber with a bluffed phone call and being arrested on suspicion of the murder of an exiled politician from the Seychelles. He joins Andrew Madden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 2, 2024 • 31min
Sam McBride and Allison Morris on Jeffrey Donaldson’s arrest and what it means for the DUP
Northern Ireland Politics were thrown into chaos at the weekend when Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader. He’s been charged with historical sex offences, while his wife Eleanor Donaldson has been charged with aiding and abetting. With a general election looming, can the DUP survive this crisis? Allison Morris and Sam McBride join Olivia Peden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 29, 2024 • 14min
Jeffrey Donaldson resigns as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences. The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride explains the implications of this political earthquake to Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


