The BelTel

The Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency has published more statistics from the 2021 Census.  They cover sexuality, employment, immigration, language and more besides. Andrew Madden and Niamh Campbell join Ciaran Dunbar for a deep dive into the stats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Michael O'Neill will take charge of Northern Ireland for the first time since he was reappointed manager of the national team. Can O'Neill recapture the magic of his first stint when he guided Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 and that famous win over Ukraine in Lyon? Host: Keith Bailie Guests: Steven Beacom, Stephen CraiganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost twenty years since the Provisional IRA ended its armed campaign republican political violence continues.  The shooting of PSNI detective John Caldwell was the latest attack by so-called dissidents. What do they want, what do they hope to achieve, and why do they continue with what they would describe as ‘armed struggle’?  Host: Ciarán Dunbar, Guest: Dr Marisa McGlinchey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simeon Burke, Enoch’s younger brother, is in jail and has missed his law exams. He is refusing bail saying was illegally incarcerated. He was arrested on 7 March and charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at the Dublin’s Four Courts. Amid chaotic and unprecedented scenes, police forcibly removed members of the Burke family from court.Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor of the Irish Independent, joins Fionnán Sheehan to discuss the Christian family’s struggles with the legal system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two-thirds of Northern Ireland back the Windsor Framework, according to the latest Belfast Telegraph / Lucid Talk polling. However, the same poll reveals that an overwhelming 73% of DUP supporters say ‘No’ to the deal. The Framework doesn’t deal with some “fundamental problems” created by the NI Protocol, according to DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it’s the “best deal available”. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Bill White from Lucid Talk as well as commentator Alex Kane. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drug deaths in Belfast are more than double what they were a decade ago, with 15 young people dying on city centre streets within just one-month last summer. A bid to introduce an overdose prevention room has recently received overwhelming support within Belfast City Council to tackle the issue, but not everyone supports the idea. Niamh Campbell is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Andrew Madden, QUB professor Dr Gillian Shorter and former heroin addict, Stephen Clarke, to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all dream of winning the Lottery, but then we hear stories about how winning the millions sent some people’s lives into a tailspin. The self-described ‘king of the chavs’ Michael Carroll being a famous example. Some have described winning the Lottery as a living hell that they would not wish on their worst enemies - can that fate be avoided? And should you tell people, or could you try and keep your win a secret? Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests Aine Toner and Kathy Garrett.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this day, 50-years-ago, on the 8th March 1973, the Northern Ireland Sovereignty Referendum was held - a border poll on a United Ireland. Why was it held and what happened? Lecturer, writer, commentator and deputy editor of the website Slugger O’Toole, David McCann, tells Ciarán Dunbar all about the 1973 referendum. This podcast was originally broadcast in September 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim Jong-un, the secretive monarch-like leader of supposedly communist North Korea, has recently unveiled his daughter to the world. That has sparked speculation that she could become the next dictator of the hermit state. But what does this mean for tense relations with the West? Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guest: Professor Peter Kabachnik. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.