The BelTel

In January 2024, opponents of the then DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, and the deal he struck with the government over post-Brexit arrangements put together a political plot - ‘Operation Torpedo’ - Its aim, to wreck the proposed deal. The wire-tapping and subsequent live-tweeting of a supposedly secret meeting caused a sensation. The key figure in the scheme was loyalist Jamie Bryson. Now The BelTel can reveal more details about the ‘operation’ and the number of people involved. Guest: Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rev Harold Good witnessed the IRA decommissioning their arsenal of weapons. He facilitated secret talks at vital points during the Peace Process. In his new book he reveals his role as a back channel between the DUP and Sinn Féin.  He joins Ciarán Dunbar to discuss his role as a peacemaker, his experiences with Ian Paisley and his extraordinary friendship with Martin McGuinness.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A woman dubbed ‘The GAA catfish’ is now the subject of an official police probe after the PSNI received a complaint alleging harassment. The infamous catfish, who is believed to be from Armagh, is believed to have deceived up to 40 people including a number of Ulster GAA players. Who is the GAA catfish, how did she trick so many county players, and why did they fall for it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Niamh Campbell and Kurtis Reid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newtownards man Paddy Mayne was an unconventional soldier – a founder member of the SAS. He is one of the central characters in the BBC’s hit war drama, SAS: Rogue Heroes But there is much controversy over how he has portrayed, foul mouthed, thuggish and with a very dodgy accent. Military historians in particular, say that’s not how he was.   And this publicity has once again brought old questions to the fore – why was Mayne never given the Victoria Cross? And even, should he be given the honour posthumously?    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Andrew Madden.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood to start legal action against the Tate brothers over social media posts aimed at her. Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are self-professed ‘Alpha Males’ and now aspiring politicians with their own ‘Bruv Party’. This spat comes as Elon Musk called Labour MP Jess Phillips a ‘Rape Genocide Apologist’. Meanwhile, as Donald Trump returns to the White House Mark Zuckerberg says Meta is going more ‘Masculine’. How did the Tates get so much influence and are the ‘tech bros’ really that much of a threat to democracy?  Kurtis Reid and Margaret Canning join Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HMS Maidstone, an ex-Royal Navy Ship, was used in the early 1970s to hold internees. In January 1972, a group of IRA prisoners swam 270 meters through an ice-cold Belfast Lough in a bid to escape, greasing themselves in butter to squeeze out of the ship’s portholes. They then hijacked a double-decker bus before slipping across the border, humiliating the authorities. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by James Durney, author of ‘Jailbreak: Great Irish Republican escapes’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty-four days after John George was reported missing in Spain, a body was found. The father-of-two from west Belfast had travelled to Alicante in mid-December for a holiday, but worried family when he failed to return home for Christmas. The Belfast Telegraph can now reveal that Mr George’s return flight was booked in the days following his death. Allison Morris, who was investigating the disappearance, joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fierce clash between GAA president Jarlath Burns and former Derry manager Rory Gallagher has led to the threat of legal action and a split in public opinion. Was Burns right to raise his concerns about Gallagher’s potential appointment to a new gig? Kevin Doyle is joined by Colm Keys, Fionnán Sheahan, and Tessa Fleming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam McBride, the Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor, sheds light on secret DUP-UUP unity talks from 18 months ago. He discusses the urgent need for unionist alignment after electoral setbacks to Sinn Féin. The conversation reveals insights into potential mergers and coalitions aimed at revitalizing unionism’s future. McBride highlights the challenges of diverse opinions within unionist factions, addressing historical context and contemporary moral dilemmas that complicate the quest for unity amid Northern Ireland's evolving political landscape.

This Christmas the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland made available papers which were previously classified. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar to reveal his discoveries, including new details of Ian Paisley’s relationship with developer Seymour Sweeney, an ambitious plan to dam Strangford Lough, and the DUP’s discomfort with sex education booklet for children that included “activities too foul to describe”.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.