The BelTel

Tattle Life is a self-described “commentary website”.  Supporters of the site say it’s free speech, protects consumers, and that influencers are fair game, with the website saying it has a zero-tolerance policy to any abusive, hateful or harmful content. But critics claim users have published private documents, that the site facilitates vile and cruel trolling – even stalking.  

Last year, it was revealed County Antrim couple Neil and Donna Sands seemed to have taken the so-called ‘king of the trolls’, alleged owner of the site, Sebastian Bond, down. But now court has ruled he didn’t even know his crown was being seized.

Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid. 

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The murder of Pat Finucane is one of the most notorious of the troubles. The 39-year-old Belfast solicitor was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in 1989 by UDA gunmen. A series of investigations revealed collusion with the state. The first hearing of a public inquiry into the killing is set to take place next month – with Sir Gary Hickinbottom as chairman of the inquiry. Pat Finucane’s family, including his son, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane, has long fought for an inquiry into the case to be opened.  

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris to preview the inquest. 

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Fianna Fáil has turned the ripe old age of 100. But is the house that Éamon de Valera built in disarray? Irish Independent political correspondent John Downing reckons “they’re a very pale, poor shadow of what they were”. So, how did Dev shape the party in the first place? How did Seán Lemass modernise Ireland? Why did Charles Haughey command such loyalty? What made Bertie Ahern the “ultimate pragmatist”? And where does Micheál Martin stand among the leaders who have gone before him? 

Host: Fionnán Sheahan 

Guest: John Downing 

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The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe is now in its 15th week. This week the jury has heard evidence from the PSNI officers who found Noah’s remains. It also heard how a senior official went down into the culvert himself to help him understand what happened. 14-year-old Noah’s remains were found in north Belfast in June 2020 - six days after he went missing after cycling to meet friends. 

Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph.  

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David Graham is a former DUP councillor, and a former advisor to education minister Peter Weir. He has been a teacher and has worked for both Linfield and Rangers. He is also a political commentator.  

Recently he has been writing about the need for the unionist parties to bring in fresh talent.  

He joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel to discuss unionist politics, how to fix Stormont and Northern Ireland, and whether he expects a border poll.  

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Top civil servants had debated whether to effectively admit that Bloody Sunday was not as Lord Widgery's whitewash had claimed.  Documents uncovered in the formerly secret Kew Files reveal much debate among officials as to how they should deal with the legacy of the 14 deaths against the backdrop of the nascent peace process.   

In one of these files is a heartfelt handwritten letter to the Prime Minister, John Major; it is a plea for justice.  It was written by Kathleen Kelly, mother of Michael Kelly, who died after being shot by Paratrooper Soldier F.   

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by our Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. 

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The murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel remains one of the most disturbing crimes in Irish history.

In May 2018, Ana was lured from her home by a local boy. Three days later, her body was found in a derelict house – naked and violently assaulted.

Two boys, just 13 years old at the time of the killing, were the youngest in the State to be tried, and convicted, of murder. Eight years on, Irish Independent court reporter Eimear Cotter reflects on the horrific murder of Ana Kriegel and the public outrage that followed. 

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Five years ago, the DUP was in largest party in Northern Ireland, lurched to open civil war. The party had been led by Ian Paisley for 37 years – but an unprecedented outbreak of factional politics saw three different leaders in just 50 days.  

The middle one, Edwin Poots, lasted a total of just 33 days. 

To explain the background to the DUP’s woes and their long-term effect, Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s political editor, Suzanne Breen 

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An access hatch on the inlet to a culvert in which Noah Donohoe was found should have been locked six months previously, an inquest into his death has heard. But the jury also heard the storm drain was in good condition and had no history of unauthorised accessThe 14-year-old’s body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after he went missing. A post-mortem examination found the likely cause of death was drowning. The inquest into his death, which is being heard before a jury, is now in its 14th week. 

Liam Tunney reports. 

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There is a very senior, well-paid civil servant, working in the higher echelons of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 

Only a handful of officials work at that level and with every one of these individuals we are entitled to know who they are, what they do and what they are paid – but not when it comes to one man.

Or is it a woman? We don’t know. 

The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has discovered a top-mandarin that we know nothing about - a secret civil servant. 

The taxpayer is not allowed to know what they do, not allowed to know how much they are paid and not even allowed to know what their name is.  

Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel to explain this bizarre story.  

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