The Twelfth of July is a day of joy, pride, and nostalgia for Unionists and Loyalists in Northern Ireland. The night before, bonfires will be lit across the country - a tradition that began when fires on hillsides were used to signal William of Orange’s march from Carrickfergus to the Battle of the Boyne. But a night of tradition and celebration for some is viewed by others as physically dangerous, and in some cases, undeniably sectarian. 

Are bonfires a sectarian safety risk, or just a harmless tradition? 

Olivia Peden is joined by Sam McBride, Loyalist activist Moore Holmes, and the chairman of the Schomberg Ulster Scots society in Kilkeel, Gareth Crozier. 

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

 We’re now in the melting pot of the GAA season, and two Ulster counties remain in the All-Ireland semifinals. Tyrone, who have a shot at a treble success after after their minor and under 20’s teams have won All-Ireland finals this weekend, are due to face Kerry this weekend.  

Niamh Campbell is joined by Tyrone legend and three-time All-Ireland winner Stephen O’Neill, and Belfast Telegraph GAA columnist Lee Costello. 

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

Senior loyalists and Key members of the Northern Ireland office have dismissed allegations that The UVF are on the verge of disbanding. One reported condition for the group’s disbandment was the formation of a 240-strong armed 'close protection team' to provide security for its ageing leadership - that suggestion has been branded 'farcical'. How close really are the UVF to disbanding, why are figures like Lord Alderdice saying its time to stop transition talks, and what would a transition look like? 

Belfast Telegraph’s Allison Morris joins Olivia Peden to answer some of the big questions.  

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

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay and former Sinn Féin election candidate and party worker Thomas O’Hara have been acquitted of charges concerning misconduct in public office.All three had repeatedly denied the charges. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said he believed that Mr Bryson, who has ambitions of pursuing a career as a barrister, had lied under oath in the trial – allegations he strongly denies. McKay said that the verdict wasn't the "last chapter" of the Nama story.

How did the trial unfold and what’s next for Bryson, McKay and the Nama story? 

Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph's Liam Tunney.

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

A Belfast Telegraph investigation has uncovered some strange actions concerning Ian Paisley Jr's constituency office in Ballymena, including thousands in unpaid bills that led to red letters and threats of court appearances. Who is the mystery owner of the now vacant office, and why were three mortgages taken out on the property? 

In part two of this special investigation, Sam McBride joins Olivia Peden. 

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

When Ian Paisley Jr lost his parliamentary seat last July, it was the end of an era. Once Westminster’s most expensive MP, Paisley Jr had built a political career on the legacy of his famous father – but it wasn’t without scandal. A Belfast Telegraph investigation has uncovered some strange financial dealings around his constituency office, which is now owned by the unnamed representative of a dead man. Authorities also had to repeatedly threaten court action to secure payment of the rates bill for his office in Ballymena. 

In part 1 of a special investigation, Sam McBride joins Olivia Peden. 

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

Conor McGregor’s appeal against a ruling in a civil rape case has began. In November 2024, Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her, won her claim against him for damages, with McGregor ordered to pay her more than €248,000 (£206,000). Lawyers for McGregor have dramatically withdrawn a bid to introduce new evidence in his civil rape appeal. The MMA fighter had asked the Court of Appeal to allow in new claims that Nikita Hand was punched and kicked by her then partner just hours after she says she was raped by McGregor in 2018. However, the allegations, made by former neighbours of Ms Hand, were withdrawn as a ground of appeal this morning.

Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, to unpack a busy opening day in Conor McGregor's civil rape appeal. 

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

The Boundary Commission was set up in 1924 following partition. Nationalists had hoped that the Commission would transfer hundreds of thousands to the Irish Free state, even make Northern Ireland unviable. But in the end, nothing was handed over. 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Cormac Moore, author of ‘The Root of All Evil: The Irish Boundary Commission’. 

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

Noah Donohoe’s body was found in a north Belfast storm drain on the 27th June 2020. The teenager had left his home in the south of the city to meet up with friends six days earlier. As an inquest, which has faced delays, nears, questions about the tragic and highly unusual death remain. 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Andrew Madden to detail the story. 

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

Excitement is mounting across the island as the race to the 2025 All-Ireland final begins. Tyrone will face Dublin and reigning champions Armagh are due to face Kerry in Croke Park this weekend. Will Armagh have what it takes to bring it home for a second year in a row, and could Tyrone’s bad luck finally turn into success? 

Niamh Campbell is joined by former All-Ireland winner and Armagh All-Star Diarmaid Marsden, and Belfast Telegraph GAA columnist, Lee Costello.  

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