On October the 15th, 2021, the PSNI launch a raid an apartment in Ballymena, as part of a wider operation against drug in the town. The man who lived there was 61-year-old Noel Johnson. Moments later, he was dead. Once an acquaintance of Liam Neeson, this Catholic from Loyalist Harryville had been known as the ‘cocaine king’ of Ballymena. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by John Laverty, who knew Noel Johnston well.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John DeLorean was an eccentric but brilliant engineer. He had remarkable success in the US automotive industry, but he dreamed of striking out by himself and building a futuristic sports car. Incredibly, he was enticed to build that car in Belfast in the middle of the Troubles. Hollywood brought the DeLorean to the big Screen and the car, despite its obvious flaws, gained an iconic status.Andrew Madden joins Ciarán Dunbar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people believe that they could never be brainwashed into a cult or be totally enthralled by a cult leader, but it is believed that thousands of people find themselves in that situation every year.  Ian Haworth never imagined that he would fall for it, he never thought he would lose his mind and freedom to cult – but that is what happened.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerard Mackin is the six-foot-tall gangland enforcer who is feared from the Falls to Limerick That is not surprising when you consider he was convicted of nailing another person to a floor – with a nail gun. He has been in the Continuity IRA and in INLA. He was given a one-million-euro contract by the Kinahan crime clan to take out their arch-rival Gerry Hutch.   Born in west Belfast, Gerard Mackin’s crime CV is formidable and his earned him the reputation as one of the most violent criminals in Ireland.   The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris tells his story.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December is drawing to a close, so it’s time for some seasonal escapism as we consider the humble festive art form that is... the Christmas movie. From heartwarming family classics, terrible turkeys to the downright weird and questionable, there truly is something for everyone on the big and small screen. But are the days of the family gathering around the TV and going through the schedule gone for good?Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guests: Dave Hanratty and Dee Molumby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Winston Rea, known as Winkie Rea, died aged 72 at the beginning of December. He was the ex-leader of the loyalist terror group, the ‘Red Hand Commando’, and until his death was on trial in connection with two sectarian murders. He denied all 19 terror charges against him. Who was Winkie Rea, what was the Red Hand Commando, and had the ruthless paramilitary man really become a man of peace? Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Alison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel's ambassador to the UK has strongly reject the prospect of a future Palestinian state. Tzipi Hotovely told Sky News Israel will not accept a ‘two-state solution’ So – what is Israel’s end game and are they now risking alienating their key ally, the US, as they continue their campaign in Gaza, seeking to destroy Hamas. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Bel Trew, the Independent’s Chief International Correspondent.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is no longer at the prison colony where he was being head. The loss of contact likely signals a Kremlin effort to tighten his isolation while President Vladimir Putin runs for re-election, his spokeswoman has claimed. A constant thorn in Putin’s side, could Navalny still play a role in the future of Russia?  Host: Rory Tevlin, Guest: Jason Corcoran   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Belfast Telegraph’s Northen Ireland editor, Sam McBride, joins Ciarán Dunbar with his assessment of what’s going on at Stormont. Is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson about to jump, and if he does will his party jump with him? The DUP says there’s ‘still some way to go’ in the negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework – others say the deal is done and we are just haggling over the price.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Considered the richest man in the world, South Africa-born tech moghul Elon Musk is rarely out of the news. His controversial social media statements have made him a villain to some, but a hero to others. A father to eleven children from three women, Musk has also expressed worries of a global population collapse. Who is Elon Musk, where did he come from, and what does he want? Belfast Telegraph Technology Reporter Kurtis Reid joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.