The UTV Podcast

We hear the concerns of local people over the state of Lough Neagh and the damage being done by toxic blue-green algae. As the government's hugely controversial legacy bill clears all parliamentary hurdles, what now for those who fear they may never get the justice they want. Eden Wilson has a special report. We talk to the legal expert Joshua Rozenberg. We'll also be joined by Sandra Peake from t...

On this episode of the UTV Podcast, Carol Jordan speaks to Anne Devlin from the Economic and Social Research Institute to discuss disability rates in Northern Ireland, the economic realities for those with disabilities and how they could be affected in this time of unprecedented budget cuts. UTV journalist Jordan Moore also also talks to Dermot Devlin a wheelchair user and disability activist who...

In this week's View From Stormont, after a very public slapdown from the Secretary of State, are relationships deteriorating between the British and Irish Governments? Our Political Editor Tracey Magee has an in-depth interview with Chris Heaton-Harris. Policing in crisis, where now for the PSNI and the Policing Board? Eden Wilson has a special report; and we'll be joined by security journalist Br...

A week on from the resignation of PSNI chief constable, Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates discuss who is running the crisis-hit organisation. They discuss how a court judgment rapidly led to turmoil at the top, the options facing the Policing Board and who would want the job. They also discuss how some in the PSNI may have been pleased to see the turnover of the past week.

UTV is at the heart of the Rugby World Cup bringing you a special programme previewing the tournament – ‘UTV in France’ which airs next Thursday 7 September at 10.45pm. Ireland are one of the favourites to lift the cup and with expectations soaring, we got the views of former Ireland captain Rory Best, on their chances. Rory has been to four World Cups and he talks about what Ireland need to do to...

Barbie has broken numerous box office records, including becoming the first film to be directed by a woman to earn over $1billion. In the latest episode of the UTV Podcast, journalist Tori Watson finds out how audiences have received the film on the big screen and she speaks to gender-equality expert Emma Rainey about its portrayal of gender roles.

August 8, 2023, will go down as a key date in UK policing history. That was when the PSNI, in answer to a simple question on the make-up of the organisation, released detailed information that has put at risk everyone of its officers and staff at risk. In this episode of the UTV Podcast, Carol Jordan discusses the security breach with Jordan Moates. They discuss the ramifications, they likely cost...

UTV's Gareth Wilkinson discusses the 25th anniversary of the Omagh bomb with Peter Moor and how the devastating attack helped bring the town together and instil some comfort. Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed by the bomb planted by the Real IRA, the worst loss of life in any incident in Northern Ireland’s troubled past. It came just months after the historic Go...

UTV Life presenter Pamela Ballantine is urging anyone who is called for a routine mammogram to make sure they attend the appointment. The call comes as the broadcaster revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer just days after Christmas last year. Speaking to friend and colleague Ali Fleming about her experience, Pamela spoke about the treatment she went through, losing her hair, and paid tribu...

Winnie M Li was visiting Belfast in 2008 when she was attacked by a stranger. Her attacker was recently jailed again for assaulting and robbing a 92 year old woman. With reports of sexual assaults at an all-time high, she has called on the criminal justice system to do more to support victims, and to stop repeat offenders. She spoke to UTV reporter and presenter Sarah Clarke about her experiences...

The secretary of state has said he is 'optimistic' about a return of Stormont, but he's refused to say when. As MPs went on summer recess, Chris Heaton-Harris was in Hillsborough to wrap up the latest round of political party talks aimed at ending the current deadlock. In an exclusive interview with UTV's Political Editor Tracey Magee, he said there would be no further talks about financial suppor...

From the north-west to the world, Derry Girls became a worldwide TV hit. And the props, sets and memorabilia from the show are now part of an exhibition at the city's Tower Museum. In this next episode of the UTV Podcast, Rita Fitzgerald sits down with Shauna Bray and Aoife O'Neill - two original Derry girls who inspired some of the stories which made the show.

Hidden NI returned to UTV for a second series. Presenter Sara O'Kane uncovers some of the hidden gems some people may not know exist for the show. In this podcast the programme's senior producer Alison Fleming discusses with Carol Jordan the making of the programme - from kayaking and swimming with the dolphins to visiting the Moira Depot which looks after historic buildings. You can read Ali's bl...

With little sign of an Executive returning any time soon - and public services in crisis - we reflect on what's likely to happen in the weeks and months ahead with an expert panel. We're joined by Dr Clare Rice from the University of Liverpool, Dr David McCann from Slugger O'Toole, Professor Deirdre Heenan from Ulster University, Kevin Doyle from the Irish Independent and the commentator Alex Kane...

An academic has warned how devastating cuts to Northern Ireland's public services will last for years. Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, a social security researcher and lecturer at the Ulster University, was talking to Carol Jordan for the latest UTV Podcast. Her comments come after two university research reports found how woman have been forced to skip meals in order to feed their children and that cuts to...

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne is facing a huge task in maintaning his legal responsibilities in the face of huge budget cuts. In this podcsat he also discusses legacy, officer misconduct and his time as Northern Ireland's top police officer with Jordan Moates.

Sara O'Kane has a special report from Fermanagh where she talks to those struggling to make ends meet with no end in sight for the cost of living crisis. You'll hear from Katie Watts from Monseysavingexpert.com. And we'll be joined by Alan Bridle the UK Economist with Bank of Ireland, Roger Pollen from the FSB and the Mental Health champion Siobhan O'Neill. Chaos over hidden payments to a presente...

He’s a mainstay in Northern Ireland homes. June 2023 marks Paul Clark's 50th year in journalism. In an extended interview with Tori Watson, he reflects on the many twists and turns of his career, as well as the personal challenges he’s faced along the way. From his days as a cub newspaper reporter, to his time as a radio DJ, his first break into television reporting and becoming one of Northern Ir...

With interest rates rising to their highest levels in almost 15 years, experts are warning of a mortgage timebomb with each jump putting extraordinary pressure on many homeowners across the UK - with mortgage repayments rising with each move.

After the Commons vote which saw just seven MPs side with Boris Johnson, could this be the end of the former Prime Minister's political career? I'll be joined by the Talk Radio Political Editor Peter Cardwell, Professor Jon Tonge from The University of Liverpool and Allison Morris from The Belfast Telegraph Living in fear. We ask what needs to be done to stop women being murdered in Northern Irela...

Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 Northern Ireland's economy has failed to catch up with the rest of the UK. Carol Jordan speaks to economists Dr Graham Brownlow from Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University's Dr Karen Bonner to discuss the reasons behind our stagnant economy. Produced by Jordan Moore.

We ask if any sort of agreement can be found on how we remember the dead of the troubles as the Sinn Fein MP John Finucane is heavily criticised for attending an IRA commemoration at the weekend. Here disucssing all the difficult issues related to legacy: Kenny Donaldson from the victims and survivors group SEFF, Daniel Holder from the Committee on the Administration of Justice, Commentator Chris...

International football returns this week with both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland facing double headers in their Euro 2024 qualifiers. Northern Ireland travel to Denmark before welcoming Kazakshtan to Belfast. The Republic are off to Greece before hosting Gibraltar. Michael O'Neill has been forced to name a young squad but one of his former players is backing them for success.

This week saw the managerial merry-go-round kick into full swing in the Irish League. UTV Sport Correspondent Ruth Gorman sat down with former Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey to discuss his recent departure from the club.

A special report from Eden Wilson. She examines modern life south of the border. She hears how society has been changing. We ask if the Republic is a place to which some Unionists could give allegiance. As demands grow for a border poll, we examine how that might all work with the DUP Peer Lord Weir, former Ulster Unionist leader Lord Empey and Former SDLP Leader Mark Durkan. Analysing all of the...