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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
  • Sam McBride and Fintan O’Toole: ‘There are good arguments for and against a united Ireland’
    Oct 19 2025

    The ‘conversation’ on a united Ireland is now constant, whether its wanted or not. Despite unionists and others saying campaigning for a border poll is not appropriate, nationalists continue to push for it. Sam McBride and Fintan O’Toole are amongst the island of Ireland’s best-known journalists. They have written a new book entitled ‘For and against a united Ireland’, in which they both write a chapter making the case for and against unity.

    They joined Ciarán Dunbar.


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

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    56 mins
  • The Enhanced Games: Will the ‘steroid Olympics’ be the evolution of sport or its undoing?
    Oct 19 2025

    Imagine a sporting arena in which the taboo becomes the rule; where athletes aren’t tested, but encouraged to push the “chemical boundaries” of sport. Welcome to the Enhanced Games. It’s being sold as the future of sport, but not everyone’s buying it. Critics say it’s reckless and unethical. Dangerous, even. But who is footing the bill for the games, and what do they stand to benefit?


    Kevin Doyle is joined by Ciarán Lennon and the Athletic reporter Jacob Whitehead.

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

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    25 mins
  • Newry drug baron ‘The Chocolate’ unwrapped at last
    Oct 16 2025

    One of Northern Ireland’s most powerful drug barons - ‘The Chocolate’ - can finally be unmasked. 48-year-old Newry man John McGivern has been forced to confess to a raft of drug charges, including dealing cocaine. He is the latest member of the criminal aristocracy brought down in the wake of the gangster phone network Encrochat getting hacked by French spies. ‘The Chocolate’ is now likely to be sent to Maghaberry but the question on Newry’s streets now is - who will fill the vacuum?

    Niamh Campbell is joined by Ciaran Barnes from the Sunday Life and by Allison Morris from the Belfast Telegraph.


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

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    31 mins
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