The BelTel

Camogie players have criticised the sport’s association for kit rules deemed as ‘archaic’. Traditionally, camogie players have worn skorts in their kit, but players are now asking for the choice to wear shorts. Following widespread disruption over the issue, a vote is due to take place next week. Are camogie skorts sexist, or just a harmless tradition?  Olivia Peden is joined by the Belfast Telegraph reporters Niamh Campbell and Jessica Rice.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer has set out plans to reduce migration saying high figures have caused “incalculable” damage to British society. He says Britain risks becoming an “island of strangers” without better integration. But what will these plans mean for Northern Ireland? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by David McCann and by Enda Brady.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Adams has been under cross-examination in Dublin. The former Sinn Féin leader has taken a defamation case against the BBC. He claims a Spotlight programme defamed him - by alleging he sanctioned the murder of Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent for 20 years – Mr Adams denies any knowledge of the killing.  Mark Tighe has been covering the case for the Sunday Independent, he joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Séamus Ruddy was 33 when he was abducted, tortured, shot dead and buried in secret in northern France by the INLA in 1985. A former member of the IRSP, His killers believed he knew the location of an arms dump in northern France. The murder became part bloody schism within the INLA that left over a dozen men dead. After an extensive family campaign his remains were found in a forest in May 2017. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In centuries past, the word 'conclave' meant Catholic cardinals were literally locked away until a new pope had been elected. Today, it's the world that's locked out, as people await the unmistakable white smoke. In this episode, we lift the veil on the politics, power and prayers involved in electing a new pope. Why are phones confiscated? Who really pulls the strings? And who is the cardinal who has been banned from Conclave? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did supposed peacemaker David Ervine threaten to “bomb the **** out of Dublin”, why did the British Government allow the UDA to be a legal organisation for so long, and what does Gerry Kelly think of claims that he was put in charge of restructuring the IRA? The Belfast Telegraph’s Sam McBride found the answer to those questions in secret files at the Kew Archives in London; He joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Co Down man charged with raping and falsely imprisoning a woman has been on the run for almost two years after refusing to attend his trial, claiming to be a freeman of the land. It’s “false philosophy that is all too frequently before the court,” is the view of Newry judge Eamonn King about the so-called ‘freeman’ defence.  What is this all about? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent, Allison Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kurtis Reid, a Belfast Telegraph reporter, brings insight into the whirlwind surrounding Northern Irish rap group Kneecap, who face a political storm over their pro-Palestinian stance. He discusses the calls for their ban from prominent politicians like Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and the ongoing investigation by anti-terror police. The tension between artistic expression and political backlash is palpable, as Reid explores how the band's controversial lyrics and performances have sparked intense public debate about free speech in today's society.

The Northern Ireland under-secretary of state Fleur Anderson has said publicly that opinion polls will determine if and when a referendum on Irish unity is called. It’s never been exactly clear what would trigger a poll on a united Ireland – so has she overstepped the mark, made a mistake or actually let the cat out of the bag. And who are this middle-ground who have the magic votes? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Professor Jon Tonge from the University of Liverpool and political commentator Ursula Savage.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Stack was the chief officer in the maximum security Port Laoise prison, which housed IRA members. In March 1983, he was gunned down by the IRA in Dublin after attending a boxing match – he succumbed to his wombs 18 months later. Austin Stack has long fought for the truth and for justice for his father, meeting with Sinn Féin and IRA officials, including Gerry Adams, to try and get to the bottom of the killing. He joined Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.