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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
  • ‘No one in the New IRA thinks bombings will lead to United Ireland’
    Apr 28 2026

    Dissident republican bombers have struck twice in recent weeks. On Saturday a bomb exploded at Dunmurry PSNI station in Belfast. The bombers used an almost identical method to those who tried to attack Lurgan police station last month. In both attacks a delivery driver was hijacked, threatened, and told to drive the bomb to its target. These attacks, claimed by the New IRA, came after a lull in violence– so what has sparked this outbreak?


    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph security correspondent, Allison Morris.

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

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    25 mins
  • Kew Files: Spooks tried to suppress Stakeknife story – and feared McGuinness article
    Apr 27 2026

    Today we know that Stakeknife existed, and that he was Freddie Scappaticci. We know that Scappaticci, at the top of the IRA unit hunting informers was himself an informer for British security forces. But prior to the story being brought to light by journalist Liam Clarke, then at the Sunday Times, the public, and indeed the IRA, had no idea. There was a clear public interest in the story, but when it began to emerge M15 and MI6 went to great lengths to try to keep a lid on it – and were worried about another story Clarke was investigating, which involved Martin McGuinness. Formerly secret ‘Kew Files’ reveal their motivations.


    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride.

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

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    38 mins
  • Stormont backed CIA-linked firm's software used by Donald Trump’s ICE
    Apr 23 2026

    Stormont, through Invest NI, is funding a CIA-linked firm whose secretive and powerful tech is being used by Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown force - ICE Software developed in Belfast by Nisos, a company founded by former intelligence operatives, is now being used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. A former Nisos employee says few people understand the significance of what’s involved, but “it’s like handing a toddler a loaded gun”. Invest NI, is an agency under Sinn Féin Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald’s department – she ordered officials to look into the funding.


    The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar.

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

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    37 mins
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