The BelTel
All Episodes

Far-right 'New Republican Movement’: Police investigate threats against Newry politicians
22:09|A criminal investigation has been launched after a group of masked and armed men issued threats where they described politicians in the Newry area as “legitimate targets”. In the video, the three masked men, who are shown holding what looks like firearms, say they are members of the ‘New Republican Movement’. One of the masked men accuses local politicians of ‘flooding our communities with undocumented military age men’, before hitting out at the supposed ‘sexual indoctrination’ of children. Olivia Peden is joined by Allison Morris.
Gerry Carroll on ‘misconstrued’ Palestine tweet, a socialist Ireland, and immigration
42:58|People before Profit has one MLA in Stormont – Gerry Carroll. But the west Belfast man, known for his pro-Palestinian views and critiques of capitalism, has a high profile. People before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll spoke to Ciarán Dunbar about what he thinks a socialist Ireland would look like, his views on a border poll, and his views on immigration and the far right.
Former Sinn Féin Publicity Director Danny Morrison on 'inevitable' united Ireland, close friend Gerry Adams, and Stormont ‘in trouble’
36:24|Danny Morrison was once Sinn Féin’s publicity director - well-known for the phrase ‘a ballot box in one hand and an Armalite in the other’. Now, he’s no longer involved in front-line politics and is better known as a writer. His latest work is an updated memoir entitled ‘All the Dead voices’, which was originally released in 2002. Danny Morrison joined Ciarán Dunbar.
What if Northern Ireland was nine counties?
26:04|Northern Ireland is six counties. But the province of Ulster was – and is – made up of nine counties – all including Ulster Protestants. As partition loomed, Unionists chose six counties and demographic dominance over nine counties with a much smaller protestant majority. But what if Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan remained in the UK? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Samuel Beckton, author of ‘The Unbroken Covenant: Could Ulster Unionists have controlled a nine-county Northern Ireland, 1920-1945'.
Julian Simmons on WW3 and Alien invasions, missing 'the old UTV', and losing his mum
31:14|Julian Simmons is a Northern Ireland broadcasting legend, best known for his colourful introductions to soaps on UTV. Although continuity was axed on the Channel during covid, Julian is still adored by the public, now swapping the tv studio for DJ decks and much more. But despite his bright plans for the future, Simmons says he fears that a comet coming through earth’s solar system could put humanity to an end. Julian Simmons talks with Ciarán Dunbar about his illustrious career, his childhood, and his thoughts on an alien visit to earth.
"It looks like a youth club": The open prison that lets NI’s most violent men roam free
23:42|Burren House is a part of Northern Ireland’s prison system that many of us have never heard of. It’s a pre-release open prison – supposedly intended to prepare murderers, sex offenders and others for release back into our communities. Some of the 25 criminals held in Burren House include serial sex attacker Tom Ward and former academic Gerry O’Kane, who stabbed his wife to death in a jealous rage. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life’s Ciaran Barnes.
Socialist vigilantes linked to pipe-bomb attacks on west Belfast far right
26:19|Members of a vigilante group targeting far-right activists have been blamed for pipe bomb attacks in west Belfast. Sources say the group, which calls itself the Socialist Republican Front, is leaving viable devices close to the homes of people they claim are connected to far-right organisations. Ciarán Dunbar joined by Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris.
Enoch Burke jailed again: Who is funding his crusade?
24:23|Enoch Burke and his family have been a recurring fixture in Irish media for the past three years. What began as a workplace dispute over his objection to transgenderism, has spiraled into a protracted and costly legal saga, one that has already seen him spend more than 500 days in jail for contempt of court. Now, he is set to return to Mountjoy once again - his fourth stint behind bars. It’s starting to feel like a never-ending story. So, how might this saga ultimately conclude? And who is financing the Burkes’ evangelical campaign? Host: Tessa Fleming. Guests: Shane Phelan and Cónal Thomas
Presbyterian Church mired in controversy as PSNI launch criminal investigation
38:19|The PSNI has is probing safeguarding failures in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It comes after the church’s moderator Trevor Gribben quit citing ‘serious and significant failings’ in safeguarding from 2009 to 2022, including concerns over a pedophile teacher who was a voluntary youth group leader in the church. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by The Belfast Telegraph’s Brett Campbell and the Sunday Life’s Angela Davison.
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