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The BelTel

The BelTel

By: Belfast Telegraph
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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.

Belfast Telegraph
Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The death of Brian Murphy: Dublin's class distinctions and southside privilege on trial
    Sep 6 2025

    Twenty-five years ago, as a long summer drew to a close, a night out ended in tragedy. It changed the lives of four young men forever, ending another’s far too soon. It happened in the leafy, affluent suburb of Donnybrook in south Dublin. A fight broke out among a group of young men outside Anabel’s nightclub. When it was over, 18-year-old Brian Murphy lay on the ground. Hours later, he was pronounced dead. What followed wasn’t just a murder investigation - it was a case that exposed a deep divide in Irish society, focusing on the Dublin southside rugby schools and Blackrock College in particular.


    Host; Fionnán Sheahan, Guest; Sarah Cadden

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    25 mins
  • Father Ted's Graham Linehan arrested by armed police amidst Trans controversy
    Sep 4 2025

    Irish man Graham Linehan is one of the brains behind one of TV’s finest ever comedies – Father Ted. He is now a self-described ‘gender critical’ activist, causing much controversy and offence to those who believe in trans rights. In the latest twist, he was arrested by five armed police over posts made on X in April of this year.

    How did Graham Linehan go from comedic genius to such a divisive figure, and where exactly is the line between free speech and hate speech?

    Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s deputy features editor, Gillian Halliday, and from our news desk, Brett Campbell.


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

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    28 mins
  • IRA Stormont Spy Ring: What secret files reveal about Denis Donaldson and the Stormont crisis
    Sep 2 2025

    When an IRA Stormont spy ring was alleged in 2002, devolution quickly plunged into crisis. A PSNI raid on Sinn Féin's Stormont offices discovered a map of castle buildings with instructions on bypassing security, and intelligence on the prison service, including personal details of prison officers. But in 2004, Denis Donaldson – the most senior republican arrested during the raids – admitted he had been a British agent all along. Months later he was murdered in Donegal.

    Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has been back in the archives and has unearthed fresh details on the Stormont spy ring scandal, he joins Ciarán Dunbar.


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

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    27 mins
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