

The BelTel
Belfast Telegraph
The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 4, 2023 • 18min
“My Name is Joseph”: How a young Belfast man lost his life in prison
How failures contributed to the death of a young Belfast Joseph Rainey died in 2013, 10 days after attempting to take his own life in Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre near Belfast. An inquest jury found that Prison Service and health trust errors or omissions contributed to the 20-year-old Belfast man’s death. Allison Morris interviews film maker Sean Murray about his short film, “My Name is Joseph”, the story of Joseph Raney’s life and death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 2, 2023 • 22min
Best of the BelTel: Dennis Donaldson, Britain's agent at the heart of Sinn Féin and the IRA
Denis Donaldson answered to former Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, and was at the heart of the republican movement for 20 years. So, how did he manage to spy for so long for the British? The Bel Tel finds out. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Belfast Telegraph Political Editor, Suzanne Breen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 30, 2022 • 28min
The Best of the BelTel: What happened to Lisa Dorrian?
In February 2005, 25-year-old Lisa Dorrian went missing from a caravan park in Co Down and has never been seen again. Almost two decades on, her family and the PSNI are still searching for her body in the hope for answers and justice. They have only one suspect in mind as to who killed Lisa, and her sister Joanne reveals she has even spoken to him. Host: Niamh Campbell. Guests: Joanne Dorrian, Ciaran Barnes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 28, 2022 • 23min
Best of the BelTel: Murdered in prison - How the INLA killed Billy Wright
Billy Wright, 'King Rat’, was gunned down inside the Maze maximum security prison. How did the INLA manage to get a gun inside the jail and what was the LVF’s bloody response? Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 26, 2022 • 24min
Best of the BelTel: ‘King Rat’, Billy Wright’s rise as a loyalist icon and LVF chief
Charismatic, religious, ruthless, cold, Billy Wright was feared by most people but respected by some people for ‘taking the war to the IRA’. Where did King Rat come from, how did he live his life and why did he take others’ lives? Host: Ciarán Dunbar, guest Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Allison Morris. Part Two of this podcast will continue the story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 23, 2022 • 42min
2022, a massive year for news, profound change and not short of farce
This year saw the death of the Queen and a major war in Europe. In Northern Ireland we have seen hitmen gunning down their victims in broad daylight. It’s all been very heavy, but we have also had a fair share of farce. Among which was that slap at the Oscars, Kanye West declaring his sympathy for Hitler and the Nazis, and of course there was Liz Truss. Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests: Eoin Brannigan, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Gillian Halliday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 21, 2022 • 25min
Best of the BelTel: Inside the mind of Hazel Stewart
Rural Castlerock in 1991; Embroiled in a sordid affair, Hazel Stewart and Colin Howell plot the double murder of their spouses, disguising them as suicides. Their crimes would not be revealed until 19 years later, when a guilt-ridden Howell confessed and provided evidence against his ex-lover in trial. But is Hazel Stewart truly a cold and callous killer as some think she is portrayed? Or is there more than meets the eye to this former Sunday school teacher?Host: Niamh Campbell. Guests: Allison Morris, Dan Keenan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2022 • 20min
Best of the BelTel: The story of the Castlereagh Raid
In 2002 the IRA walked into a Belfast PSNI station and walked out with the secret security files they were looking for. Who planned it and why? There was huge interest in this podcast when first published in May 2022.Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guest: Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 16, 2022 • 19min
Downfall: Sean Quinn, the Cavan Versailles and the wrath of the fairies
He was a millionaire by 30, but Sean Quinn's rise and fall is documented in a new book, which looks at his many investments, and how nothing, not even an ancient fairy fort, could get in the way of his plans. Host: Siobhán Maguire. Guest: Trevor Birney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 14, 2022 • 41min
Colin Harvey makes the case for a United Ireland
Ireland was partitioned in 1921 when most of the island left the UK to form the Irish Free State. Six Counties of the north-east immediately left to form Northern Ireland and to continue in Union. The majority have voted to stay in the UK ever since, but many nationalists want a referendum on the border. Prof Colin Harvey is Professor of Human Rights Law in Queens, he makes the case for Irish unity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.