The BelTel

Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles. Known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire, he murdered 3 people at an IRA funeral in Milltown Cemetery, west Belfast. Following his release from prison in 2000, he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was ‘performance art’.

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran. 

This podcast was first published in April 2024.

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In the early hours of 7 August 1986, hundreds of Ulster Loyalists, some in paramilitary uniforms, spilled over the border and into the County Monaghan village of Clontibret. A trail of destruction ensued, and Gardaí were attacked with two officers ending up in hospital. The so-called ‘invasion’ was led by then DUP Deputy leader Peter Robinson. He was later convicted of unlawful assembly and given a fine. Ian Paisley said Robinson alone was responsible for the incident, Robinson blamed Paisley. 

To revisit the infamous Clontibret Invasion – Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride.

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From the parish newsletter to the daily death notices, we like to keep tabs on the comings and goings of life around us. And when it comes to celebrities, especially where fame and romance collide, we just can't look away. Take this week, for example, when TV power couple Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley announced their separation. But just how difficult is it to navigate a relationship under the unforgiving glare of the celebrity spotlight? And why are we, the public, so captivated by the rise and fall of celebrity couples? 

Host: Tessa Fleming  Guest: Melanie Finn 

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There are reports that the London UDA has transitioned into an “old comrades association”. The faction fundraised for loyalist activities in Northern Ireland during the troubles, and at times took part in smuggling weapons for the UDA. Two of the London UDA’s leading members, far-right activists Frank Portinari and Eddie Whicker, were arrested in Birmingham sting operation in May 1993. 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Dr. Aaron Edwards - an academic, author, and security analyst who broke this story. 

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The so-called ‘White Widow’ is one of the world’s most wanted Islamic terror suspects. Samantha Lewthwaite has been linked to 400 deaths and the 7/7 attacks, and is alleged to remain at large in Somalia. She’s been on the wanted list in multiple countries for 20 years – and she’s from Banbridge. 

How did she go from County Down schoolgirl to a hunted Al-Qaeda suspect? 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter James McNaney.

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The only suspect in the murder investigation into the fatal shootings of a mother and her two children in Co Fermanagh has died. Ian Rutledge (43) passed away from self-inflicted gun wounds on Monday. Rutledge was married to Vanessa Whyte (43) and was the father of her two children, James (14) and Sara (13). Vanessa and Sara were found dead in their Maguiresbridge home last Wednesday morning. James was taken to hospital in Enniskillen but died from his injuries later that day. 

With the latest, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life reporter – Angela Davison. 

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In 1960s Ireland, the showband scene was a massive cultural phenomenon. Ballrooms filled up night after night across the country, and at its heart was The Miami Showband, who were so beloved they were dubbed ‘The Irish Beatles’. But on July 31, 1975, everything changed. After a gig in Banbridge, Co Down, five members were stopped at what seemed a routine army checkpoint - some of the soldiers were real members of the British military, but all were members of the UVF. What followed left the showband world shattered and survivors forever scarred by an act of unimaginable violence. 

Host: Tessa Fleming Guests: Liam Collins and Des Lee. 

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Talk of loyalist paramilitaries disbanding is now generally seen as extremely unlikely. Cynicism abounds as to whether these armed groups will ever ‘transition’ into peaceful organisations – and of course whether they really can abandon rampant and lucrative criminality. But there does seem to have been some movement in a very unlikely place, the South-East Antrim UDA. 

The Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar.

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Three members of a family have been murdered in Maguiresbridge. The mother and her two children were shot in their family home – with two of them dying at the scene – another in hospital. Another person – a man – was seriously injured and is currently in hospital in Belfast. The PSNI say a so-called ‘murder-suicide’ is one line of inquiry and that it is “not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made”. 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter – Abdullah Sabri.

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In the 1970s and early 1980s, Jeffrery Dugdeon was the public face of the gay rights movement in Northern Ireland. He was a prominent figure in the campaign again laws targeting homosexuals – a campaign which endured a vicious backlash in the shape of Ian Paisley’s ‘Save Ulster from sodomy’ group. His victory in the campaign for decriminalisation has now been beautifully told in a short film from the BBC called ‘Outlasting’. The piece was directed by Lewis Doherty. 

Mr Lewis and Mr Dudgeon joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel. 

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