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The BelTel

Latest episodes

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Dec 13, 2024 • 27min

Don Anderson: The NI journalist who escaped fall of Saigon as airport burned tells the story of reporting Vietnam

Don Anderson was one of the BBC’s TV reporters in Saigon during the final days of the Vietnam War. He joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell his incredible story of his time in Vietnam, including accidentally finding himself in a minefield, his near-death experiences on the front line, and the fall of Saigon in April 1975.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 11, 2024 • 23min

‘Peace’ game is up for UVF chief Winston “Winkie” Irvine as he finally admits gun charges

UVF chief Winston “Winkie” Irvine is facing jail time after pleading guilty to firearms charges. It means the well-known loyalist Irvine’s dual-career has a tax-funded community worker and paramilitary is well and truly over.  Who’s Winkie Irvine? How did he get caught? What does this mean for his role in loyalist transitioning?  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 9, 2024 • 28min

'Revolutionary Years' : 1913 to 1923, 10 years which changed Ireland

In 1913, Ireland, the whole of Ireland, was an integrated and peaceful part of the UK – albeit one with a strong home rule movement and a strong counter-home rule movement. It had two private and opposing armies and a secret underground brotherhood dedicated to winning an Irish Republic by force. A world war, a rising, a guerilla war and a civil war later, most of Ireland had left the UK by 1923, becoming the Irish Free State, and of course, Northern Ireland was born. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Professor Mike Cronin of Boston College Ireland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 8, 2024 • 26min

MasterChef's Gregg Wallace: What is being alleged?

What are the allegations being made against Gregg Wallace that have led to him stepping down as host of the BBC’s flagship show MasterChef and doe sit mean for the BBC and the MeToo movement? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Enda Brady & Niamh Horan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 6, 2024 • 18min

‘Mr-Fix-it': Newry's Rory Trainor facing jail for EncroChat money laundering, Ciaran Barnes reports

Newry millionaire money launderer ‘Mr-Fix-it' is now facing lengthy jail time. Rory Trainor was snared following a Europe-wide investigation into the EncroChat phone network. After spending almost 5 years fighting 39 charges he admitted guilt to drug and illegal cash charges, confessing to laundering almost £1.4 million. Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 4, 2024 • 23min

The chicken farmer, the ‘Triads’ , and the cannabis in the shed, Sam McBride reports

When Sam McBride went investigating a massive cannabis operation in Hillsborough he was confronted by an angry poultry farmer, Clive Weir. Not only did Weir deny knowledge of the weed growing in his shed, he lambasted the PSNI for not catching the perpetrators. His denials seemed ridiculous and eventually he plead guilty. The PSNI said somebody approached Weir - a Chinese ‘Triad-like’ crime gang - and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell this unlikely story.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 2, 2024 • 22min

Ian Ogle: Ciaran Barnes on the murder that rocked the East Belfast UVF

Loyalist Ian Ogle was murdered just yards from his east Belfast home in an attack compared to an attack from a “pack of hyenas”. Five people have now been found guilty of his murder The killing effectively brought down the leadership of the East Belfast UVF, leading to huge PSNI task force pressure which resulted in over 30 drug dealing convictions. Ciaran Barnes tells Ciarán Dunbar the story of the brutal murder of Ian Ogle.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 30, 2024 • 27min

'Notorious' - Conor McGregor’s career and legacy is in freefall – what next?

One week on from the verdict in Nikita Hand’s civil rape case against Conor McGregor, the Irish MMA fighter’s career is in freefall. Since last Friday, products associated with McGregor, including Proper No. Twelve whiskey, have been removed from shelves, murals have been whitewashed over and marches have taken place in solidarity with victim Ms Hand. What next for the Dublin MMA star who once had it all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 29, 2024 • 29min

Joe Lynskey: The monk who joined the IRA and was 'disappeared' by it over trying to kill his love rival

Remains exhumed from a grave in County Monaghan are being DNA tested to determine whether they include those of Joe Lynskey. One of the ‘disappeared’, the former monk turned IRA man was abducted, murdered and secretly buried in 1972. Lynskey is understood to have tricked a fellow IRA man into shooting a love rival – also a member of the IRA. The IRA ‘court martial’ sentenced him to death Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell Joe Lynskey’s story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 27, 2024 • 22min

The life and crimes of UFF hitman and Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair sidekick Gary ‘Smickers’ Smith

Gary ‘Smickers’ Smith was Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair’s deputy on the Shankill. As a UFF hitman, he was involved in over 20 sectarian murders. Smith lived in exile in Scotland upon his release from the Maze prison. Last year he was convicted of sexual communications with a 12-year-old boy – he narrowly avoided jail. He died at the start of this month aged 60. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday World Reporter Hugh Jordan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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