The BelTel

 The Rev Ian Paisley rose to prominence as the face of hardline unionism but the first time some would have heard of him would have been in connection with Maura Lyons. In 1956, the west Belfast teenager was smuggledto Scotland by members of the Free Presbyterian Church. She was a 15-year-old Catholic girl who converted to Free Presbyterianism, in the face of the strong objections of her family. They accused the Rev Ian Paisley of “abduction”. At one point, he gathered his supporters in the Ulster Hall to listen to a recording of Maura’s voice at the Ulster Hall, renouncing her Catholic faith as a “religion of fear and dread”.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by journalist Malachi O’Doherty, who grew up in west Belfast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest BelTel / LucidTalk polling reveals Sinn Féin keep the top spot as both the DUP and UUP see a slight boost in popularity, but the trend is worrying for Alliance. But Almost half of unionists say they would vote for Reform UK.  And as talk of a border poll refuses to go away, most people want to know what exactly the criteria for calling one would be. And finally, as Catherine Connolly wins the presidential elections down south, the polling reveals how NI voters would have voted. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalist Aoife Moore and political commentator Alex Kane.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Members of the UVF unit responsible for the Dublin and Monaghan bombings have been named for the first time. The bombings in May 1974 killed 33 civilians and injured almost 300 – it was the deadliest attack in the Republic’s history. Three car bombs exploded in Dublin during rush hour and a fourth exploded in Monaghan almost 90 minutes later. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir ‘Nobody’s Girl’ has brought new details of Prince Andrew’s alleged involvement in her abuse to light. Despite his repeated denials, new details and police inquiries continue to deepen the scandal, now pulling his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, into the spotlight into her own financial ties to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein Kevin Doyle is joined by former Royals Correspondent Jennie Bond and columnist Sinéad Ryan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to a report by the Equality Commission, Flags and sectarian grievances are ‘hindering NI boxing’. The review comes after boxer Daryl Clarke claimed he was excluded from Northern Ireland’s 2022 Commonwealth Games team because of his identity.  The report also cites the continued display of flags, emblems and identity symbols at events, and a lack of formal procedures for reporting harassment and discrimination.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph journalist Niamh Campbell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soldier F has been cleared of two murders on Bloody Sunday. A judge in Belfast has ruled the evidence against the veteran fell below the standard needed. Soldier F was found not guilty of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney both shot dead by soldiers on January 30,1972. He was also cleared of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O’Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, and an unknown person. He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts. Predictably, the verdict has divided opinions.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent, Allison Morris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With days to go in the two-horse race to the Irish Presidency, who is likely to come out on top, and what could the winner mean for Northern Ireland? And up at Stormont, relations between politicians have become quite strained recently. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Irish Independent Politics Correspondent John Downing, and by Belfast Telegraph Assistant News Editor, Brett Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Many people in the south have no northern friends'Some clinging to the NHS... but people live longer under Republic's systemHow can you argue for and against anything at the same time?The ‘conversation’ on a united Ireland is now constant, whether it's wanted or not. Despite unionists and others saying campaigning for a border poll is not appropriate, nationalists continue to push for it. Sam McBride and Fintan O’Toole are amongst the island of Ireland’s best-known journalists. They have written a new book entitled ‘For and against a united Ireland’, in which they both write a chapter making the case for and against unity. They joined Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine a sporting arena in which the taboo becomes the rule; where athletes aren’t tested, but encouraged to push the “chemical boundaries” of sport. Welcome to the Enhanced Games. It’s being sold as the future of sport, but not everyone’s buying it. Critics say it’s reckless and unethical. Dangerous, even. But who is footing the bill for the games, and what do they stand to benefit?Kevin Doyle is joined by Ciarán Lennon and the Athletic reporter Jacob Whitehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Northern Ireland’s most powerful drug barons - ‘The Chocolate’ - can finally be unmasked. 48-year-old Newry man John McGivern has been forced to confess to a raft of drug charges, including dealing cocaine. He is the latest member of the criminal aristocracy brought down in the wake of the gangster phone network Encrochat getting hacked by French spies. ‘The Chocolate’ is now likely to be sent to Maghaberry but the question on Newry’s streets now is - who will fill the vacuum? Niamh Campbell is joined by Ciaran Barnes from the Sunday Life and by Allison Morris from the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.