A Tyrone man has lost over £12,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after an account claiming to be his friend roped him into what was a supposedly ‘low risk’ investment. Last year over 5,000 investment scams like this were reported to the PSNI – amounting to over £20 million. Olivia Peden is joined by Kurtis Reid, who spoke to a victim of crypto fraud.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 25 years of what it termed ‘Armed Struggle’ and the ‘Long War’ , the Provisional IRA called a “complete cessation of military operations” on 31st August 1994 – 30 years ago. By that stage, the organisation was responsible for the deaths of 1,700 people. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalists Brian Rowan and Allison Morris, Former Belfast Telegraph Editor Ed Curran and historian Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colum Eastwood, a Foyle MP who led the SDLP for nine years, announces his resignation, leaving a legacy of activism rooted in the Civil Rights movement. Backing South Belfast MP Claire Hanna as his successor, they discuss her potential to navigate the evolving political landscape. Garrett Hargan, a Foyle reporter, adds insights on the impact of this leadership shift on Derry’s community and the challenges the SDLP faces in engaging new voters and addressing local concerns during a critical time for economic growth.

David McCann, a political commentator on Northern Ireland's current landscape, and Sarah Creighton, an expert in political polling, dive into the shifting dynamics of local politics. They analyze Sinn Féin's climb and the Ulster Unionist Party's challenges following a leadership crisis. Conversations reveal the stark divisions on immigration among unionists and nationalists, alongside funding debates for the Casement Park project, underscoring deep-rooted communal tensions and the pressing need for political adaptation.

West Belfast greengrocer Harry Holland was murdered in September 2007. In an attempt to steal Harry Holland’s van, then 16-year-old Stephen McKee stabbed him in the head with a screwdriver, leaving the pensioner to die later in hospital. McKee was given 12 years behind bars for the murder but was eligible for pre-release back in 2016. To the relief of Harry Holland’s family, the now 33-year-old has been sent back to prison following his suspected involvement of ‘very serious’ reoffending. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iain Hay Gordon, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering Patricia Curran, joins to discuss the shocking revelations from declassified documents indicating government officials knew he was innocent but suppressed the truth. The conversation dives into the coercive interrogation tactics that led to his false confession and the political tensions in Northern Ireland at the time. Gordon reflects on the complexities of the judicial system and the ethical implications of reopening his case amidst fears of undermining public trust in the judiciary.

Patricia Curran’s mutilated body was discovered just 40 yards from her home at 2 o’clock in the morning on the 13th of November 1952.   She was a judge’s daughter – savagely stabbed to death - the pressure was on to find her killer.  An innocent - but compromised man - Ian Hay Gordon, was eventually blackmailed into signing a confession and sent to a Psychiatric hospital – only to be quietly released and packed off to home to Scotland.  In this episode of the BelTel, Journalist Stephen Gordon, tells us about meeting Patricia’s brother Desmond – who spent his life as a Catholic Priest in South Africa – a life some think was an act of redemption. And we ask the biggest question of all – if Ian Hay Gordon didn’t kill Patricia – then who did?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The early hours of the morning on the 12th of November 1952, a judge’s daughter, Patricia Curran, is found dead in the garden of her family home. She had been stabbed 37 times.  The BelTel looks at the shocking killing and how Ian Hay Gordon Gordon, a young Scot doing his national service in the RAF, was intimidated into signing a false confession, frightened that his mother would find out about his sex life.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by journalist Stephen Gordon, who’s been fascinated by this horrific murder for a long time.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam McBride, the Northern Ireland editor for the Belfast Telegraph, dives into the shock resignation of Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie. He discusses the internal strife that led to Beattie's departure and its ripple effects on party dynamics. McBride highlights the complexities of leadership within a decentralized party structure and the significance of honesty in politics. The conversation also explores the challenges of succession and the uncertain future of unionist politics, raising questions about potential mergers or new party formations.

The body of Portadown woman Margaret Perry was found a year after she went missing, the bodies of three men the IRA itself accused of her murder were found three days later. The IRA also accused them, all members or former members, of being British agents. Their bodies were found by different roadsides in Northern Ireland’s ‘murder triangle’. Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar. This podcast was originally published in January 2024.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.