The 2024 Olympics have officially started, but it's been 36 years since a Northern Irish athlete brought a gold medal home. The long wait for an Olympic champion could end this summer, with Northern Ireland having its fair share of star athletes competing for Team Ireland and Team GB. Keith Bailie is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Chief Sportswriter Steven Beacom to preview what promises to be an incredible fortnight of sport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Patrick Mayhew was Northern Ireland’s secretary of state between 1992 and 1997, a time when the peace process was just beginning, and the Troubles were still raging.  Files uncovered by the Belfast Telegraph in The National Archives at Kew in London have revealed new details about a secret memo Mayhew sent to PM John Major. The classified message suggests the IRA was in a stronger position at the time than previously thought, and questions some of the received wisdom about the intelligence war against the Provisionals. Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar with his recent findings from the Kew Files. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Armagh will face Galway in the Orchard County’s first All-Ireland final since 2003. Armagh only ever won once, back in 2002. Galway's last Sam Maguire was just the year before, in 2001. The excitement is building and the scramble for tickets is intense as pre-match analysis begins. Niamh Campbell is joined by Oisín McConville, Jessica Rice and Lee Costello.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the UVF’s formation, the paramilitary group has went on to kill over 500 people. Gusty Spence became infamous for leading the organisation and deciding their tactics. The ex-British Army soldier was charged and convicted with the first Catholic victim of the troubles. Aaron Edwards, author of ‘UVF: Behind the mask’ joins Ciarán Dunbar to discuss the origins of the modern UVF, the role of Gusty Spence and the first five years of the organization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31-year-old Whitney Hughes has been handed a 4-year sentence for drug offences. The so called ‘Cocaine Queen’ of Newry took over her father, Mark ‘The Chicken’ Lovell’s crime gang after he was gunned down in December 2022. Hughes admitted seven drug offences relating to possessing and supplying cocaine, MDMA and steroids, two counts of trading in counterfeit goods and one of possessing criminal property. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Brett Campbell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested last night as violence continued in south Belfast. The past two nights have seen disorder in the village area. On Monday over 30 petrol and paint bombs were thrown at police, with footage captured by Belfast Telegraph showing a firework being thrown at a police Land Rover and a masked man encouraging a child to partake in the violence. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph Visuals editor Kevin Scott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The so-called ‘Border Fox’, Dessie O’Hare, has been released from prison.  He is best known for kidnapping a dentist and chopping his fingers off. Originally an IRA man, O’Hare was one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles, confessing to being the triggerman in at least 26 murders.  Guest: Allison Morris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former priest Denis Bradley played a key role in the peace process as part of the ‘back-channel’ between the IRA and the British. His decision to become vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board in 2001 drew the anger – and violence of dissident republicans.  He gives Ciarán Dunbar his assessment of how to deal with dissident republicans today – he says the Irish government must talk to them.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In August 1980, a pastor, his wife and their three children went on a camping holiday that would change their lives forever and become one of the biggest stories in the world. “A dingo’s got my baby” were the words that divided Australia as Lynn Chamberlain was accused of a shocking crime.Host: Kevin Doyle                            Guest: Malcolm Brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The petrol bomb attack happened at the height of bitter disputes over parading Even by the standards of the Troubles the murder of the Quinn brothers on the 12th of July 1998, it shocked NI. The contentious parades issue which had caused deep tensions was changed overnight, albeit never solved, as society saw the issue with a fresh perspective. The horrific deaths of three children forced a rethink on all sides. Liam Tunney joins Ciarán Dunbar to tell the story of the tragedy, and its continuing impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.