

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

Jun 18, 2023 • 30min
Artificial Intelligence: Is it really ‘far more dangerous than nukes’ as the likes of Elon Musk claim?
Science Fiction has become reality and Artificial Intelligence is a growing part of our lives. The technology becoming more advanced every week. But what is AI and why are people like Elon Musk warning us that it is dangerous? And if it is so incredibly threatening to us, then why are we developing it? Kurtis Reid and Kevin Scott join Ciarán DunbarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 2023 • 15min
Unsolved: A right royal scandal – who stole the Irish Crown Jewels?
In 1907, a theft at Dublin Castle ended up becoming a global story when the precious Irish Crown Jewels went missing. Scotland Yard, psychics and the author of Sherlock Holmes were brought in to try and locate the precious stones.Presenter Siobhán Maguire is joined by Sunday Independent columnist, Sarah Caden,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 15, 2023 • 21min
The Monster of Romance (Part 2): How Philip O’Shea went from online catfisher to real life stalker – and how he got caught
Philip O’Shea was initially charming when he contacted vulnerable women online. He was a friend, a flatterer, someone who could help. But his true intentions emerged very quickly – he was a cruel catfisher who forced women to send him compromising pictures. And it didn’t stop there, in this episode of the BelTel Sharon O’Neill tells Ciarán Dunbar how O’Shea went from online harassment to real-life stalking, and how he eventually got caught.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 2023 • 20min
The Monster of Romance (Part 1): ‘Evil’ catfisher threatens dozens of women – just for kicks
Philip O’Shea is a prolific online predator who lurked behind fake profiles, first coming across as charming friendly and flirty, then going in for the kill in an orgy of cruelty. He forced them to send compromising pictures of themselves to him, blackmailing them not for money but for his own perverted satisfactions. Sharon O’Neill tells Ciarán Dunbar how he managed to ensnare his victims.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2023 • 5min
Chloe Mitchell murder accused ‘escaped three times from secure mental health facility’
The man accused of murdering Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell (21) had absconded to the Ballymena area three times from a secure mental health facility, a court has heard. Chloe has been missing since the 3rd of June. Suspected human remains were found in Ballymena on Sunday. Liam Tunney was in court for the Belfast Telegraph as two mean appeared in relation to the case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2023 • 25min
Sam McBride: 'The state of Defence Forces shows the Irish government and republicans aren't seriously planning for a United Ireland'
Sam McBride argues that the strength of the Irish Army is a crude barometer of how seriously the Republic takes the possibility of unity. Ireland’s Defence Forces are small, underequipped and getting weaker as more and more service men and women abandon the ranks due to poor pay and conditions. But what about a united Ireland – if loyalism chose to resist it would Ireland’s armed forces be able to deal with that? This is part three of a three-part series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 9, 2023 • 18min
Queen Elizabeth II, the IRA and the FBI
New files released by the FBI outline a plot to assassinate the late Queen Elizabeth as she visited America. The memos date back to 1983 when the Queen visited California as guest of President Reagan. But this was not the only alleged plot to remove Queen Elizabeth and the future King Charles from the monarchy. Host: Fionnán SheehanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 8, 2023 • 25min
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf, The PGA Tour merger and Saudi Money: What next for golf?
There has been a revolution in the multi-billion-dollar world of golf – and Rory McIlroy is its ‘sacrificial lamb’. The Holywood man had taken a stand against the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, remaining outspokenly loyal to the PGA Tour. But now, behind his back, the feud between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour has taken a sudden turn. Where does McIlroy stand now? Adam McKendry is joined by Belfast Telegraph journalist Gareth Hanna. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 6, 2023 • 23min
Ireland’s Defence Forces: Does neutrality mean having no military capability?
In part-two of a three-part series, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy makes the case for neutrality and against an enhanced military capacity. Ireland has no capability to control or even police the state’s skies and has an extremely limited maritime capability. The cost-of-living crisis has seen hundreds of service personnel leaving and not being replaced. Some argue that the Defence Forces need investment, modern equipment, and more members. However, some others that more call for more military spending is warmongering and will lead to NATO membership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 4, 2023 • 25min
Belfast’s Eamonn Holmes takes no prisoners as he levels the accusations at Phillip Schofield
Presenter Phillip Schofield says he has “lost everything” after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship. And one person in particular – Belfast born bruiser Eamonn Holmes is giving no quarter to his former colleague, and professional rival, making accusation after accusation against the self-confessed serial liar. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Aine Toner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


