The BelTel

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says that he is “not planning” for a 2030 border poll. He’s currently promoting his Shared Island Initiative – which some unionists fear is a trojan horse for Irish unity but others are comfortable with. Republicans have always been distrustful of the Fianna Fáil leader. Sam McBride recently sat down with the Taoiseach, producing an interview that has sparked debate, satisfaction, and anger - has Micheal Martin really ruled out unity?He joins Ciarán Dunbar to interpret what the Taoiseach thinks of a united Ireland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belfast pensioner Oliver MacCormack has been handed a seven-year sentence for exploiting vulnerable young women by plying them with heroin and forcing them to work as prostitutes. Three other men have already been sentenced as part of the same investigation, the oldest of which being 79. Some question whether the sentences handed out to the gang was stiff enough. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How successful were far-right attempts to influence loyalism and how deep do radical right links with loyalism go today? From the National Front to Combat 18, the English far-right has tried to colonise loyalism but how successful were they?   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Aaron Edwards.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday night at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a heart-stopping playoff to win the Masters for the first time in his career. The Holywood man has become the sixth person to complete a career grand slam. In a special edition of the BelTel, Keith Bailie is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Chief Sportswriter Steven Beacom and Chief Audience Editor Gareth Hanna.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Lynskey, one of the Disappeared, was murdered by his IRA colleagues in 1972 and his body secretly buried. Remains recently found in a County Monaghan grave were hoped to belong to him, but the DNA says no. The finding leaves a new mystery - who was the extra body in the plot, and if it wasn’t Joe Lynskey - then whose remains are they? What are republican sources saying about the prospects of finding him now?  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent, Allison Morris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland has long flirted with the far-right – and has had political movements with profoundly antisemitic views. Historian Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc has written a new book - ‘Burn Them Out – A History of Fascism and The Far-Right in Ireland’ investigating the history of fascism in Ireland. He joined Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few months ago, one of Stormont’s most senior civil servants vanished. Mark Browne was the top official in Stormont’s Department of Education. But sources have now told the Belfast Telegraph that Mr Browne and the Education Minister Paul Givan clashed over how to tackle what is now a multi-faceted crisis in Northern Ireland’s education system. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Catholic Bishop of Derry has warned of “illicit” masses being held in the city by clergy not recongnised by the hierarchy. Bishop Dónal Mac Keown claims these services are being carried out by an ultra-conservative splinter group of the Society of Pius the Tenth known as SSPX Resistance. SSPX Resistance are certainly uncompromising traditionalists, but the splinter group has been accused of antisemitism and having ties with the far right. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter, Liam Tunney.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The owner of a controversial Ballymena based ‘brand building’ company has announced its closure. FBA Brand Builder was run by 34-year-Darren Campbell – he charged clients for his guidance on selling products to the US Market on Amazon. The Belfast Telegraph has revealed some questionable practices, including encouraging clients to lie on credit card applications and facilitating paid amazon reviews.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Liam Tunney, who broke the story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a speech on America’s so-called ‘Liberation Day’, Trump accused the global community of stealing American jobs and ‘ransacking’ US industry. The President has imposed tariffs of 20% on goods from the EU, while goods from the UK, including NI, will be subject to a 10% tariff. What do the tariffs mean for Northern Ireland, how has Brexit changed our situation, and could the tariffs start a global trade war?  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Business editor Margaret Canning.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.