The BelTel

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has triumphantly declared his new Brexit deal with the EU – the Windsor Framework.  What exactly does it entail, how does it differ from the NI Protocol, what does it mean for business and of course, will it be enough for the DUP to allow Stormont to return? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by commentators David McCann and Sarah Creighton, the Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland...

The New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attempted murder of PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh. A typed statement plastered on a wall in Derry and signed by ‘T O’Neill’, the name used by the dissident republican group in the past, said it was behind it. It included a warning that the group will continue to target what it calls ‘Crown Forces’. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by th...

The crime gang known as ‘The Firm’ has something different about it, it's a cross-community crew. Based in the Lurgan and Portadown areas, the Firm includes former members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force as well as people with republican connections. The gang is heavily involved in drugs – and police allege they are connected to two murders. The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent, Allison Mor...

Books, films, documentary series – the serial killer market is hugely profitable. We just can get enough of murder, horror and psychopaths. Why is that? To try and answer some of those questions, Ciarán Dunbar spoke to Craig Jackson, Professor of Occupational Health Psychology, at Birmingham City University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

A high-profile senior detective is in a critical condition after gunmen tried to murder him in Omagh, Co Tyrone.  PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot in front of his son at a sporting complex.  The police are pointing the finger of blame at the New IRA.  Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Sunday Life News Editor Sharon O’Neill with the details See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The murder of Sean Fox in October 2022 sent shockwaves through Belfast and beyond. The Belfast Telegraph now understands that Sean Fox believed he was safe, as he was paying off a dissident republican organisation, but it now seems that money never reached them. The 42-year-old was gunned down by two assassins, in a crowded public place, on a Sunday afternoon. It was latest in a series of murders...

Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, formerly Vladimir Putin’s chef, leads Russia’s private military, the Wagner Group. Russia’s advances in eastern Ukraine have been spearheaded by Prigozhin’s troops backed by thousands of ‘volunteers’ he sourced from Russia's prisons.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Angus Lambkin, an expert in Humanitarian Civil-Military cooperation and international relations to discuss...

Nicola Sturgeon is resigning as Scottish First Minister and as leader of the SNP saying it is the best step for herself, for her party and for Scotland. What does this mean for the country, for her party and its independence drive - and could it have an impact here in Northern Ireland? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by politics lecturer and commentator, David McCann, to discuss Nicola Sturgeon’s legacy a...

45-year-old Nicola Bulley has not been seen since the 27th of January, she disappeared while walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire. Police worked off the theory that she had slipped into a river and been swept away – but Nicola has not been found despite extensive searches. That has sent social media into a frenzy of speculation, rumour, and conspiracy. That led the police to inform...

2022 was a significant year for drug seizures in the Republic of Ireland, with almost €40 million worth of drugs seized in the first seven months alone. In this episode, Irish Independent Special Correspondent Paul Williams explains how the Kinahans and other cartels are smuggling drugs. First broadcast August 30th 2022. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Paul Williams See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Paul Gosling has written for almost every British broadsheet newspaper, he has been a Labour Party councillor, and is the author of several books. Now based in Londonderry, his most recent work argues for a united Ireland and sets out how it could come about.  Sam McBride travelled to Mr Goslings home to discuss how an English Protestant has become a leading proponent of Irish unity in Derry See o...

Former soldier Stephen Fulton was jailed for shooting dead his wife. He shot Corien in the head after she threatened to leave him. In recent weeks he was made Worshipful District Master of his Orange lodge – a role he resigned following media coverage.  Who is Stephen Fulton, why did he kill his wife and why was his sentence so low?  Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Sunday Life chief reporter, Ciarán B...

He’s been dismissed from his teaching post but he keeps showing up at the school gates - violating a court order. Not purging his contempt of court means he faces fines of €700 for every day until he does. So, what next for Enoch Burke and his stand in the name of religion? Presenter Siobhán Maguire is joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor at the Irish Independent. See omnystudio.com/listen...

There are fears of further violence on Belfast’s Shankill Road after thugs thrashed a well-known bar.  Sources on the Shankill say the attack was ordered by top UDA loyalist, Mo Courtney, in a dispute between criminals over territory.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted o...

Eoin McGonigal was born in Dublin in 1920, a Catholic by religion. At the outbreak of war in 1939, he abandoned his law studies and joined the British Army becoming a commando and later a founder member of the SAS.  Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne’s best mate – he has been brought back into the public’s attention by the BBC’s SAS: Rogue Hero series.  Who was Eoin McGonigal and his brother Ambrose and what mot...

Almost 25 years since it was signed, most Unionists say they would vote against the Good Friday Agreement if given the chance today, according to the latest Lucid Talk poll.  The polls also show the electorate is split over whether the Sinn Féin president, Lou McDonald, should play a part in political talks in Northern Ireland.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Lucid Talk chief Bill White and the Belfas...

The case of school teacher Enoch Burke has been making headlines after he ended up in jail for contempt of court after refusing to comply with a court order to stay away from his school - following a row over a transgender child's pronouns. Throughout he has been backed up by his family, many of whom themselves are not strangers to the courts. We look at the family behind the courtroom clashes and...

Robert Black was a monster. He was convicted of killing four young girls but is suspected of abusing and murdering many, many more. Black died in Maghaberry Prison in January 2016. His body was cremated, and his ashes thrown into the sea. Professor Craig Jackson is Professor of Psychology at Birmingham City University, he joins Ciarán Dunbar to explain what makes a serial killer and why we are so...

Andrew Tate is a controversial British kickboxer who has built a huge social media following with younger men because of his flashy life, fast cars, and unapologetic misogyny. But the Indo Daily finds out why recently arrested Andrew Tate's toxic masculinity treads on very dangerous ground. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Tanya Sweeney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on A...

More revelations have emerged regarding how MI5 agent Dennis McFadden managed to decimate dissident republicanism.  A human rights group founded by McFadden was an intelligence ruse and he encouraged republicans to visit New IRA founder Tony Catney on his deathbed - they fear he bugged those conversations.  Ciaran Barnes, Chief Reporter with the Sunday Life, talks to Ciarán Dunbar.  See omnystudio...

Northern Ireland’s Stephen Nolan says that not being a father makes him feel like a failure. The multimillionaire reveals the scale of his wealth and tackles the issue of having loyalist Jamie Bryson as a regular guest on his show. The podcast is produced and presented by Sam McBride. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Nolan talks about himself a lot – he talks about his weight, his wealth, his mother and his woes. But, there are other aspects of his life about which he is intensely private. In this exclusive two-part interview the Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor gets inside the mind of the most powerful journalist in Northern Ireland. Part 2 of this interview will be available on Friday. See...

From Prince William’s temper to Prince Harry’s manhood, the king’s exiled son doesn’t disappoint with his new page-turner, Spare. But why is Prince Harry revealing so much about the inner workings of his family? Is he a victim or a villain? And is he doing real harm to the Royal Family? Jenny Bond joins Fionnán Sheehan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Natalie McNally was attacked and stabbed to death on the 18th of December in her own home in Lurgan, she was 15 weeks pregnant. The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar to explain what we know about Natalie’s death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crypto currencies have had a bad year but what exactly are they - the future of money, financial freedom or just an elaborate scam? Ciarán Dunbar sits down with Kurtis Reid to find out more about Bitcoin and other crypto and to find out more about the the 24-year-old from Newry who’s a member of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, an exclusive group that includes Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber and Emine...