The BelTel

By Belfast TelegraphNews Daily News

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The BelTel episodes

January 08, 2024 The Persuader: Sam McBride and Stephen Walker on John Hume
John Hume was not just one of the most influential men in Northern Ireland politics, but in Irish history, as the leader of nationalism throughout most of the Troubles. The joint Nobel Peace Prize winner not only stood against violence but saw his once-radical ideas become mainstream. Sam McBride is joined by Stephen Walker, author of The Persuader to discuss John Hume’s life, ideas and legacy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
January 05, 2024 Best of the Beltel: Colm Murphy, the veteran republican found liable for Omagh Bombing
South Armagh republican Colm Murphy died earlier this year at the age of 70. He had been convicted but later acquitted of involvement in the Omagh bombing. He was later found liable in a civil court for the 1998 attack which killed 29 people. Murphy was at various points a member of the Provisional IRA, the INLA, the Real IRA, and was linked to the Óglaigh na hÉireann dissident group. The Belfast Telegraph’s security correspondent Allison Morris profiles him and explains what he was like in person.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 min
January 03, 2024 Best of the BelTel: How romance monster Phillip O'Shea went from online catfisher to real life stalker – and how he got caught (Part 2)
Philip O’Shea was initially charming when he contacted vulnerable women online. He was a friend, a flatterer, someone who could help. But his true intentions emerged very quickly – he was a cruel catfisher who forced women to send him compromising pictures. And it didn’t stop there, in this episode of the BelTel Sharon O’Neill tells Ciarán Dunbar how O’Shea went from online harassment to real-life stalking, and how he eventually got caught.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 min
January 01, 2024 Best of the BelTel: Romance monster catfisher threatens dozens of women – just for kicks (Part 1)
Philip O’Shea is a prolific online predator who lurked behind fake profiles, first coming across as charming friendly and flirty, then going in for the kill in an orgy of cruelty.

He forced them to send compromising pictures of themselves to him, blackmailing them not for money but for his own perverted satisfactions.

Sharon O’Neill tells Ciarán Dunbar how he managed to ensnare his victims.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 min
December 29, 2023 Best of the BelTel: The 'living hell' of winning the Lottery
We all dream of winning the Lottery, but then we hear stories about how winning the millions sent some people’s lives into a tailspin. The self-described ‘king of the chavs’ Michael Carroll being a famous example. Some have described winning the Lottery as a living hell that they would not wish on their worst enemies - can that fate be avoided? And should you tell people, or could you try and keep your win a secret? Host: Ciarán Dunbar. Guests Aine Toner and Kathy Garrett.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
December 27, 2023 Best of the BelTel: The life and crimes of Ballymena’s 'Cocaine King' Noel Johnston
On October the 15th, 2021, the PSNI launch a raid an apartment in Ballymena, as part of a wider operation against drug in the town. The man who lived there was 61-year-old Noel Johnson. Moments later, he was dead. Once an acquaintance of Liam Neeson, this Catholic from Loyalist Harryville had been known as the ‘cocaine king’ of Ballymena. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by John Laverty, who knew Noel Johnston well.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
December 25, 2023 Best of the BelTel: John DeLorean, the man who brought the future back to Belfast
John DeLorean was an eccentric but brilliant engineer. He had remarkable success in the US automotive industry, but he dreamed of striking out by himself and building a futuristic sports car. Incredibly, he was enticed to build that car in Belfast in the middle of the Troubles. Hollywood brought the DeLorean to the big Screen and the car, despite its obvious flaws, gained an iconic status.

Andrew Madden joins Ciarán Dunbar
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
December 22, 2023 Best of the BelTel: ‘How a cult brainwashed me, and how I escaped’
Most people believe that they could never be brainwashed into a cult or be totally enthralled by a cult leader, but it is believed that thousands of people find themselves in that situation every year.

Ian Haworth never imagined that he would fall for it, he never thought he would lose his mind and freedom to cult – but that is what happened.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27 min
December 20, 2023 Best of the BelTel: Gerard Mackin, the Belfast-born Kinahan enforcer the criminal underworld fears
Gerard Mackin is the six-foot-tall gangland enforcer who is feared from the Falls to Limerick That is not surprising when you consider he was convicted of nailing another person to a floor – with a nail gun.

He has been in the Continuity IRA and in INLA. He was given a one-million-euro contract by the Kinahan crime clan to take out their arch-rival Gerry Hutch.

Born in west Belfast, Gerard Mackin’s crime CV is formidable and his earned him the reputation as one of the most violent criminals in Ireland.

The Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Allison Morris tells his story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27 min
December 19, 2023 Stalkers, sexism and Santa: Could Christmas movies like Love Actually be made today?
December is drawing to a close, so it’s time for some seasonal escapism as we consider the humble festive art form that is... the Christmas movie. From heartwarming family classics, terrible turkeys to the downright weird and questionable, there truly is something for everyone on the big and small screen. But are the days of the family gathering around the TV and going through the schedule gone for good?

Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guests: Dave Hanratty and Dee Molumby
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 min

About The BelTel

From the publisher's feed

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…