Shows / The BelTel
The BelTel
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.
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Episodes
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: The complex legacy of SAS legend Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne
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…
- The BelTel
BelTel Revisited: The murder of Sean Fox and the hitmen taking out the ‘Marbella Crew’
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…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: Bloody Friday- the IRA’s blitz of Belfast
The 21st of July 1972 was the most prolific day of IRA bombings during the Troubles. Nine people were killed and 130 injured as a blitz of 22 bombs detonated…
- The BelTel
BelTel Sport: Does the Irish League have a bright future or is it still stuck in the past?
With attendances on the rise, wealthy investors on board and more media coverage than ever before, Irish League football is on something of a high. But it’s…
- The BelTel
Unsolved: Why was the murder of Rosaleen O'Kane not investigated?
Rosaleen O’Kane was found in a burning flat in north Belfast in 1976, her body stripped and set on fire. Rosaleen was 33 years old. Why did the RUC not…
- The BelTel
PSNI Data Breach: officers left vulnerable due to ‘human error’
The PSNI has been plunged into crisis after an accidental data breach saw the details of over 10 thousand PSNI officers and staff made available online.With…
- The BelTel
Brian Rowan: "We need outsiders to sort out the legacy of the Troubles"
Former BBC correspondent tells Ciarán Dunbar that only an international body can help Northern Ireland deal with legacy issues. Brian Rowan is a well-known…
- The BelTel
Twitter becomes X: What is Elon Musk thinking and where can those fleeing the platform go?
‘Twitter’ has become ‘X’. What is Elon Musk’s thinking, and could it actually be a good call? Some want to move on from the platform but what are the…
- The BelTel
QAnon: The ultimate conspiracy theory - the cabal, a shaman and a former US president
Who is Q and why do so many people follow the QAnon conspiracy theory today? Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Will Sommer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- The BelTel
Stormont: Politics isn’t working so does Northern Ireland have a workable plan B?
Northern Ireland’s political Assembly and Executive are moribund, and many commentators are now doubtful that they will ever return. Is it time for Plan B and…
- The BelTel
Ronan Hughes and ‘Mo’ Robinson: The Armagh people smugglers and their 39 victims
County Armagh lorry drivers Mo Robinson and Ronan Hughes are doing serious jail time for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated in a trailer…
- The BelTel
Sinead O’Connor: Singer, songwriter, storyteller
From a troubled childhood to global fame, Sinead O’Connor’s unique voice, talent and personality captivated audiences across the world. Our sister podcast the…
- The BelTel
Will Northern Ireland ever solve its ‘flags’ issue?
People in Northern Ireland have been arguing over flags for as long as anyone can remember. Time and time again police and politicians have argued over it, but…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: Belfast Pride, how it began and what life was like for gay people in NI
The first Belfast Pride was held in 1991, a handful of people took part. At that time, Northern Ireland which was much less tolerant and understanding of…
- The BelTel
The Peace Train: The IRA’s campaign against cross-border trains and the group set up to oppose it
The IRA’s aim was to unite Ireland - so why did it do its best to stop cross-border railway services? It came very close to succeeding but were strongly…
- The BelTel
Suwei Shang: Where is the woman who stabbed her Derry husband to death?
Suwei Shang was last seen 10 years ago when she left court after admitting killing her husband. After her arrest, more than £100,000 was discovered in her bank…
- The BelTel
The history of Pride: From the Stonewall Riots to Mardi Gras, how the LGBGT+ movement began
To celebrate Pride month, the Indo Daily finds out how the global parade got started and why the fight for equality and Gay rights goes on for the LBGTQ+…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: Patricia Curran, who really murdered the judge's daughter? (Part 2)
Patricia Curran’s mutilated body was discovered just 40 yards from her home at 2 o’clock in the morning on the 13th of November 1952. She was a judge’s…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: The murder of Patricia Curran and the innocent man framed for it (Part 1)
The early hours of the morning on the 12th of November 1952, a judge’s daughter, Patricia Curran, is found dead in the garden of her family home. She had been…
- The BelTel
PROMO: ‘I’m Not Here to Hurt You’ – A new podcast about Ireland’s most ‘polite bank robber’
How does a high-flying academic become one of Ireland's most prolific bank robbers? From the award winning team behind the Indo Daily comes I'm Not Here to…
- The BelTel
Unsolved - the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and a search for the truth
The Dublin Monaghan bombings on May 17th 49 years ago killed 34 people, including an unborn baby, and injured almost 300. Almost half a century on, no one has…
- The BelTel
Rise of the far-right: Across Europe once untouchable parties are making it in power
Across Europe political parties regarded as ‘far-right’ are gaining in strength and some are gaining power. Are they a threat to democracy, why is the left so…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: Dissident Republicanism - why do they continue with violence?
The Provisional IRA have long since ended its armed campaign but republican political violence continues. What do groups like the New IRA hope to achieve, why…
- The BelTel
Drumcree: The crisis over an Orange parade which brought NI to the brink
The Orange Order wanted to march home from a church service in Drumcree back into Portadown, and still does. But the nationalists living on the Garvaghy Road…
- The BelTel
UFOs: Former Air Force officer says US is hiding alien spacecraft… and bodies
The US has given the wreckage of alien craft to defence contractors, a former Pentagon whistleblower has claimed. Some say we have to take him seriously and…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: The Twelfth - what is the origin of Orange culture?
The Twelfth goes back a long way.But what is the origin of the celebrations and of the Orange Order itself?Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Dr David Hume…
- The BelTel
Tubs: Ryan Tubridy, Noel Kelly & Dee Forbes – Profiling the 'talent', his agent & the director
The scandal engulfing RTE continues. The people at the centre of it, Dee Forbes, Noel Kelly and Ryan Tubridy have all made statements but are yet to answer…
- The BelTel
The Best of the BelTel: Serial Killers - how are monsters made?
We just can get enough of murder, horror and psychopaths. Why is that? And serial killers, are they born or made?Ciarán Dunbar spoke to Craig Jackson…
- The BelTel
Margaret Thatcher: The IRA's plot to kill the 'Iron Lady' in the Brighton Bombing
In 1984, a massive explosion rocked the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where the Tory party conference was being held. The bombing went down in history as one of the…
- The BelTel
Abusing witness protection: Allison Morris introduces the criminals given a new life paid for by the taxpayer
The witness protection scheme in NI has raised moral questions and lacks penalties for those who’ve exploited it and lied in court. For some of Northern…
- The BelTel
Entrepreneurship: Could teaching young people how to start a business be the key to economic progress?
According to Department of Communities figures from 2022 almost 250,000 in Northern Ireland live in absolute poverty – could entrepreneurship be a part of the…
- The BelTel
The RTÉ grilling, Ryan Tubridy’s contract and Patrick Kielty’s pay
What did we learn from the 2 day grilling of RTÉ bosses by TDs and senators on the inner workings of the €345,000 which the State broadcaster paid top…
- The BelTel
Best of the Beltel: Men are far more likely to be criminals than women, why?
A staggering 96% of the people in prison in NI are men. Why are men much more likely to turn to crime and end up in jail than women?Host: Ciarán Dunbar…
- The BelTel
Prigozhin, Putin, and what happens next in the battle for power in Russia
Yevgeny Prigozhin marched his Wagner troops to Moscow, the world watched and waited for a showdown between the mercenary fighters and Vladimir Putin. But it…
- The BelTel
EXTRA: What Director General Dee Forbes knew – RTÉ break silence on Ryan Tubridy pay scandal
RTÉ has released a statement finding there was "no illegality" involved in the undeclared payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy, but Dee Forbes was centrally…
- The BelTel
China and the USA: What’s driving tensions between the nuclear superpowers?
China and the USA are world’s most powerful countries, both militarily and economically. Recent tensions between the two over the future of Taiwan, amongst a…
- The BelTel
Punishment attacks: ‘What does it say about us that we tolerate the beating, shooting and abuse of our children?’
Thousands of paramilitary attacks have been carried out in NI since the Good Friday agreement. Often, they are attacked by appointment – people turn up to be…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: Prigozhin - who is he and what is the Wagner group?
Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner group of mercenaries have rebelled against the Russian military. Putin called it “a stab in the back”. It is the biggest threat to…
- The BelTel
Good Friday Agreement: Alex Kane’s historic interview with David Trimble
It has been 25 years since the first Assembly election following the Belfast Agreement. David Trimble, later Lord Trimble, was one of the key architects of the…
- The BelTel
Suzanne Breen: Jamie Bryson sets up secret talks between UDA, UVF and top Tory Simon Hoare
A chance meeting between loyalist activist Jamie Bryson and Tory Simon Hoare led to the MP meeting loyalist leaders in Belfast. Northern Ireland Affairs…
- The BelTel
Extra: Race against time: the search for missing Titanic tourist sub
Disaster at 13,000 feet below sea level. A trip to see the Titanic has gone horribly wrong for the occupants of a submersible that has now lost contact. The…
- The BelTel
‘Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland’: Sam McBride interviews directors of stunning BBC doc
The BBC series Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland has been hailed as the finest ever on the Troubles. Featuring contributions from loyalists, republicans…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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 BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
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…
- The BelTel
Best of the BelTel: The Birmingham Six, why were they framed and who really planted the IRA's bombs?
Hugh Callaghan, one of the Birmingham Six, who was wrongly jailed for IRA bombings has died at the age of 93. Why was he framed for the pub attacks which…
- The BelTel
Phillip Schofield scandal: 'Unwise but not illegal', but will ITV's morning show survive the fallout of his affair?
Phillip Schofield's admission to an affair with a much younger employee on This Morning has opened up a whole new discussion around the ITV show's working…
- The BelTel
Ireland’s Defence Forces: Not neutral, just defenceless and couldn’t cope with united Ireland, says TD
In percentage terms the Republic of Ireland spends less on defence on than any other county in the EU, even Malta and Luxembourg. Ireland has no military…
- The BelTel
John Caldwell trial: Allison Morris has the latest as seven are charged
Seven men have been remanded in custody after being charged with the attempted murder PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell. A court has heard that the…
- The BelTel
Allison Morris and Sam McBride survey the NI political landscape after an election earthquake
There’s been a profound change in NI politics. Sinn Féin has surged to new levels of support but the DUP held their ground in the local government elections…
- The BelTel
GAA manager Rory Gallagher, Nicola Gallagher and the domestic abuse allegations
Warning: today's episode contains content some listeners may find distressing. Earlier this month, Nicola Gallagher wrote a Facebook post detailing serious…
- The BelTel
Lives taken (Pt 4 of 4): ‘I’m still seeking the truth, 51-years-on, I don’t want Robert’s name forgotten’
Shane Laverty’s brother, Robert, was killed by the IRA in 1972. Robert was an RUC officer and was just 18-years-old. Shane tells Robert’s story because he does…
- The BelTel
Lives taken (Pt 3 of 4): RUC victim’s son says ‘The IRA had a choice, but they took away other people’s choices when they took their lives’
David Hallawell was just 13 when his father, John, was shot dead by the IRA in 1983. John was an RUC officer and was 35 years of age. David Hallawell reflects…