The BelTel

In the end, Simon Byrne had to go. He had lost the confidence of the public and politicians – and above all, of his own officers. The final straw was a court ruling - that two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined. Where does this debacle leave the PSNI? Does Sinn Féin also have questions to answer? And what does this fiasco tell us about policing and politics in Northern Ireland? Sharon O’Neill, is joined by Allison Morris and Sam McBride See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron Edwards is from Rathcoole in north Belfast but works at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, educating the British Army’s future officers. He sat down with the Belfast Telegraph’s Ireland Editor Sam McBride to discuss his new book ‘A People Under Siege’ – and where he believes the unionist community must go to secure the future of the Union.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s brief uprising challenged Vladimir Putin in a way no one else ever has. Is the Russian president now in a stronger position or has he been weakened and with Ukrainian forces advancing, could a ‘cornered’ Putin reach for the nuclear option? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Jason Corcoran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Belfast Telegraph Lucidtalk polling tells us the majority of unionists are behind the DUP boycott of the NI Assembly and Executive. Does this mean that Stormont will never return? Alex Kane and Bill White join Ciarán DunbarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Labour Party soaring ahead in the polls, Keir Starmer is predicted to become the next Prime Minister after the general elections. But what would a new Labour Party government mean for Northern Ireland?Keith Bailie is joined by David McCann and Sarah Creighton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know Letby murdered babies and tried to kill many more but why? How did this young, intelligent, woman, with loving parents, become a mass murderer of the innocent? Psychology Professor Craig Jackson joined Ciarán Dunbar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serial killer nurse Lucy Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison after being convicted of murdering seven helpless babies. She has never admitted it, never apologised, never said why she committed such horrific crimes. The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris breaks explains the case to Ciarán Dunbar and its implications.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1998 an IRA Punishment squad broke into Andrew Kearney's flat. They shot him three times and Andrew bled to death. He was cradling his 19 day-old baby daughter at the time. This attack was punishment for a bar fight two weeks previously with an IRA commander. Despite apologies from Gerry Adams, no one was convicted of his murder. Suzanne Breen interviews Andrews sister Eleanor Kearney King and his daughter Caitlin DarraghSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the founders of the SAS, Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne was a great soldier and a hero in his native town, Newtownards. But his legacy is a complicated one, he was not a model officer. His exploits in battle saw him earn many honours but he denied the Victoria Cross. Did the complex nature of the man muddy his legacy? Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Andrew Madden. First Published on 09/12/2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BelTel Revisited: Sean Fox was gunned down while drinking in the Donegal Celtic Social Club in west Belfast, on Sunday 2 October 2022, in front of more than 100 people. It was the latest in a series of murders carried out in west Belfast linked to drug-dealing and the so-called ‘Marbella Crew’.   Who is responsible for carrying out these killings and why?  First Published October 10th 2022.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.