The BelTel

The Belfast Agreement left many questions unanswered, many problems unsolved and many points of disagreement.  Can those problems be solved without coming to a common understanding of what happened before that, the problem which the agreement set out to solve?  Dr Brian Lambkin joins Ciarán Dunbar to drill down into the agreement and what it really means.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a generation of bloodshed and division, Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement marked a new era in British Irish politics. But has it succeeded in its mission and is it even still relevant? The BelTel finds out. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests: David McCann, Sarah Creighton and Andrew Madden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Grimason was the journalist who waved the Belfast Agreement on our television screens with the iconic quote: “I have it in my hand”.  Sam McBride sits down with former BBC political editor Stephen Grimson who later went from poacher to game keeper and headed up Stormont’s press operation. Stephen was optimistic when he left journalism to sell Northern Ireland’s new era to the public. But it was far harder than he thought. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Controversial Christian Enoch Burke has alleged an Irish judge laughed, mocked and ridiculed him after he sought to raise concerns over the disclosure of documents to him by his former employer. The trial has concluded. Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Shane Phelan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

War continues in Ukraine at a huge cost in human life.  Russia continues to assault Ukrainian lines in the Donbas but with western tanks being supplied to the Ukrainians military observers expect a counter offensive. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have declared a ‘new era’ of friendship, but some commentators believe China is the real winner here.  Dr Alexander Titov is a history lecturer - he joins Ciarán Dunbar to discuss the latest developments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It remains one of the most gruesome and grotesque crimes in Ireland – a man murdered by his girlfriend’s daughters and carved into pieces. The Indo Daily hears more about Farah Noor's death at the hands of Linda and Charlotte Mulhall. Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Eugene MastersonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The secret security service MI5 raises terror threat to “severe” just before US president Biden visit to Northern Ireland - It means an attack is highly likely.   It comes after a senior police officer suffered life-changing injuries after being shot by the New IRA. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Quest: Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The East Belfast UVF says 20 “once prominent members” of the organisation have been expelled over drug dealing. In an official statement to Sunday Life the loyalist gang denied involvement in the drugs trade. But a judge has said the UVF is behind ALL drug dealing in the east of the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senior members of the South East Antrim UDA have been forced from their homes in a ‘purge’. Among those ordered to leave was Adrian Price, named in court as occupying a “command position” in South East Antrim UDA in Newtownards. And this all comes as new management takes over Carrickfergus based syndicate.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph our crime correspondent, Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been quite a big week for news in Northern, in Westminster and beyond. Boris Johnson and Donald Trump have been in the news and so has Stormy Daniels.  The Framework has been voted through the Commons with a massive majority.  And of course, the price of a pint is going up. Kurtis Reid, Liam Tunney and Margaret Canning join Ciarán Dunbar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.