• Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin struggle with questions over how they dealt with child sex offender
    Oct 3 2024

    Michelle O’Neill says she’s “aghast and horrified” that two Sinn Féin press officers, including their top spin doctor, gave references to a former colleague then under investigation for child sex offices – both have now resigned. Michael McMonagle has now plead guilty to 14 charges despite earlier denials and failing to turn up in court on two occasions. Sinn Féin suspended him as soon as they learned of the investigation, but he later gained employment with the British Heart Foundation, having provided the references.

    Guest: Sam McBride



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

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    30 mins
  • Arlene Foster: How we almost booked her as a renewable energy expert for 10k
    Oct 1 2024

    Former First Minister Arlene Foster has been advertising herself as a renewable energy expert at a cost of more than £10,000 a day. The Belfast Telegraph went undercover to get a quote for her services, the agency said that hiring the Baroness for a full day would cost “in the region of £10,000”. The decision to advertise her as a ‘renewable energy expert’ comes as a surprise to many due to her involvement in the RHI scandal.

    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride.


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

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    25 mins
  • “Michael Collins disappeared far more people than Martin McGuinness’ comrades in the Provisional IRA”
    Sep 29 2024

    During the Troubles, Republicans ‘disappeared’ 17 people - murdering them, and secretly burying them. But the Provisional IRA and the INLA were not the first republicans, or indeed combatants in Ireland, to use this method, it started long before the Troubles. Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc has spent over a decade researching the fate of ‘the disappeared’ and how this phenomenon came about . He joined Ciarán Dunbar.


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

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    27 mins
  • “We sold our house for this”: Cruise passengers ‘stranded’ in Belfast before 3-year long trip
    Sep 27 2024
    A cruise ship which has been docked in Belfast for four months has been facing repeated faults, leaving 600 passengers stranded in Northern Ireland. Villa Vie Residences’ ship ‘Odyssey' gives passengers the chance to live full time on a cruise ship. Randy and Kit Cassingham sold their home to embark on the trip - they join Olivia Peden to give their opinions on Belfast, their first July marching season, and what they expect from life at sea.

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

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    18 mins
  • Loyalists call on DUP education minister to block integrated Irish school in east Belfast
    Sep 26 2024

    The LCC includes representatives of the UVF, UDA and the Red Hand Commando. A political row has developed following a decision by the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan to meet them. During that meeting the LCC demanded he halt plans to build an integrated Irish medium school in east Belfast. Supporters of ‘Scoil na Seolta’ say the language is for all, and so is the school. But for many loyalists, the school is unwanted, unneeded and unwelcome.

    Niamh Campbell told the story to Ciarán Dunbar.



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

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    24 mins
  • "Sinn Féin need to be careful on meaningless dates for a border poll": Suzanne Breen
    Sep 24 2024
    As NI parties hold their annual conferences, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Suzanne Breen to answer some of the big questions. How did Gavin Robinson perform at his first DUP conference as leader? What’s behind Nigel Farage’s snub of Jim Allister? Would Keir Starmer back a Sinn Féin-endorsed border poll?

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

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    29 mins
  • There’s something about Eamonn (Holmes)...
    Sep 22 2024

    NI is fascinated by Eamonn Holmes – and that’s a fact. The Belfast-born broadcaster regularly features as one of the top Google searches in the region, with stories featuring Holmes bringing in a large audience. Following his split from wife Ruth, the 64-year-old has been spotted hanging out with 42-year-old relationship counselor Katie Alexander.


    Ciarán Dunbar is joined Áine Toner to explain what the man clearly has.


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

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    22 mins
  • East Belfast GAA: Huge growth, hoax bombs condemned, but ‘concerns’ voiced
    Sep 19 2024

    All unionist politicians condemn the intimidation of East Belfast GAA but some voice concerns over the GAA in general and the allocation of a local pitch to the new club. Security alerts at the Henry Jones Playing Fields disrupt sport and life in the area on a regular basis. How and why was the club formed, why do some people have a problem with it, and who’s behind the intimidation?

    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Liam Tunney, and by TUV councillor, Ron McDowell.



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

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    23 mins