The BelTel

Seven men have been remanded in custody after being charged with the attempted murder PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell. A court has heard that the gang alleged to have tried to kill him involved both dissident republicans and non-paramilitary linked criminals. DCI Caldwell had investigated both. Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Allison Morris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s been a profound change in NI politics. Sinn Féin has surged to new levels of support but the DUP held their ground in the local government elections.  But for the first time - the number of nationalist voters is greater than the number unionists. How did this come about and what does all this mean for the future of our politics, culture and society?  Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests: Sam McBride and Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning: today's episode contains content some listeners may find distressing. Earlier this month, Nicola Gallagher wrote a Facebook post detailing serious domestic abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her former husband and GAA manager, Rory Gallagher. Rory, who managed Ulster champions Derry has since resigned, after the reaction to Nicola’s post. It has since emerged that Nicola's father sent five emails in total containing the allegations to Derry GAA between April and July last year. However, despite being listed on their website, the email address has been deactivated. What has been both the public and the GAA's reaction to the allegations? Host: Fionnan Sheahan Guest: Rodney EdwardsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Laverty’s brother, Robert, was killed by the IRA in 1972. Robert was an RUC officer and was just 18-years-old. Shane tells Robert’s story because he does not want his brother to be forgotten.  This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Hallawell was just 13 when his father, John, was shot dead by the IRA in 1983. John was an RUC officer and was 35 years of age. David Hallawell reflects on his father’s life and how his family had had to cope with his death.  This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Finlay’s father, Ronnie, shot dead in front of him, his brother and his mother.  Bryan was just 10-years-old, he thought his father would be safe as he had left the UDR, but Ronnie was gunned down on a farm in 1991.  This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble.  The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serena Hamilton was just seven and a half when the IRA murdered her father in 1977.  He as a part-time UDR man, but he was killed at his place of work, out of uniform and unarmed. David Graham was just 38-years-old. His murder had a huge impact on Serena. This interview is part of a four-part series featuring people who lost a relative to IRA violence during the trouble. The series was produced and presented by Kirsten Elder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Kielty will replace Ryan Tubridy as host of RTE’s the Late Late Show. But what do we know about the Dundrum native and how important is it for RTÉ to get this right? Host: Fionnan Sheahan. Guests: Melanie Finn and Samantha McCaughren.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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.  He told Ciarán Dunbar his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.