Rephonic
Artwork for The BelTel
Northern Ireland
Jeffrey Donaldson
IRA
Democratic Unionist Party
Alliance Party
Stormont
Glenanne Gang
Michael Stone
The Falklands War
Northern Ireland Office
Martin Mcguinness
SDLP
DUP
Graham Eve
Northern Ireland Conflict
James Mitchell
Gerard Hucker Moyna
Good Friday Agreement
Sinn Féin
Irish Unity

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 by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes745Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for The BelTel

Latest Episodes

Thirty years ago, Wicklow publican Tom Nevin was shot dead as he counted the takings following a busy day at Jack White’s Inn. Initially, the incident appeared to be a robbery gone wrong, but grieving wife Catherine Nevin would eventually emerge as t... more

Roger Casement was hanged in August 1916 for treason against the Crown. Formerly Sir Roger, his assistance to Germany during the First World Ward was undeniable and from a British point of view he was a traitor.

From from an Irish nationalist point... more

Belfast poet, Sinéad Morrisey, was brought up in a Communist family. Hers was a childhood lived in the little world created by the party, a world apart from others and from the Troubles.  

It involved smoke-filled rooms, endless meetings, and dreams... more

Members of the jury in the Noah Donohoe inquest have been asked to indicate their availability for the month of May.

The inquest officially began on the 19th of January and was expected to finish up in mid-March.

Fourteen-year-old Noah’s body was... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mary Wilson
Former RT Legal Affairs Editor and Drive Time/Morning Ireland presenter
RT Radio 1
Episode: Black Widow Part 1: The murder of Tom Nevin and one of Ireland’s most notorious criminal cases
Rory Carroll
Author of A Rebel And A Traitor, Guardian Ireland correspondent
The Guardian
Episode: Roger Casement: Protestant British hero who became a 'rebel and a traitor'
Sinéad Morrisey
Belfast poet and author of Among Communists
Independent author
Episode: ‘Among Communists’: Belfast poet, Sinéad Morrisey tells her family and political story
Angela Davison
Journalist for The Sunday Life
The Sunday Life
Episode: Stephen McCullagh: What we couldn't report while Natalie McNally murder trial was ongoing
Sam McBride
Northern Ireland editor at Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Telegraph
Episode: Stormont’s extreme censorship of Famine remarks – and how we unravelled it
Gerard Shannon
Historian and author
Historian and author of Rory O'Connor: To Defend the Republic
Episode: Rory O’Connor: The Anti-Treaty IRA leader executed by his former friends
Kurtis Reid
Reporter with Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Telegraph
Episode: Inside the Gerry Adams landmark £1 IRA court case
Amy Quinn
Senior toxicologist, Forensic Science Northern Ireland
Forensic Science Northern Ireland
Episode: Noah Donohoe: No evidence of drugs in teen’s system at the time of death, witness says
Brenda Campbell
Counsel for Noah Donohoe's mother
Fiona Donohoe's legal representative
Episode: Noah Donohoe: No evidence of drugs in teen’s system at the time of death, witness says

Hosts

Abdullah Sabri
Host of The Bel Tel
Ciarán Dunbar
Host of The BelTel

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 323 ratings
  • Rather death centric

    A good podcast when I do listen, which is typically for insight regarding northern Irish history and culture that’s hard to get anywhere else. Especially recently though, the majority of episodes are meticulously reporting on deaths and murders past and present — much like a lot of other NI media — for which I turn straight off.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Mach3turbo
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Noah Inquest

    Liam Tunney is hurling a blinder in his reporting. The show is generally excellent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jerimiah1983
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Superficial

    Plenty of chat but very little information. Also-the headlines can be misleading.

    You travel hopefully but arrive with nothing. Disappointing!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States3 months ago
  • Never miss an episode

    I love listening to the podcast everyday. Nice mix of topics and stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Séamus Magee
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Superficial

    Plenty of chat but very little information. Also-the headlines can be misleading and disappointing.

    You travel hopefully but arrive with nothing. Disappointing!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critique bias and call for objectivity.
Listeners value the depth and context from investigative reporting.
Requests for longer episodes and better pacing.
Guests and hosts praised for interviews and coverage.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#228
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#28
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#194
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#194
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#103
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#184
France/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stephen McCullagh Trial: Man accused of Natalie McNally murder ‘recorded ex’s counselling sessions after she lost child’
Q: What has been revealed about the live streaming and the timing of events on the night Natalie McNally died?
Evidence suggests the live stream referenced by McCullagh was pre-recorded, not a real-time broadcast, which affects the perceived immediacy and intent surrounding the events of that night.
Stephen McCullagh Trial: Man accused of Natalie McNally murder ‘recorded ex’s counselling sessions after she lost child’
Q: Can you walk us through what the witness described about the counselling recordings and why they matter?
The witness described covert recordings made during post-loss counselling, which are central because they imply a level of surveillance by the defendant and raise questions about consent, privacy, and the overall conduct around Natalie's trauma.
Man abused at NI ‘Christian nightclub’ accuses Presbyterian Church and PSNI of failing him and ‘other victims’
Q: What was the response from church and Exodus leadership at the time?
The minister at the time offered prayers but no tangible action, and Exodus leadership, including Jim Brown, did not respond promptly to questions; later statements claimed they were abroad or unable to comment while acknowledging their links to safeguarding concerns.
Man abused at NI ‘Christian nightclub’ accuses Presbyterian Church and PSNI of failing him and ‘other victims’
Q: Where did the accusations take place, and who was involved?
The allegations involve a relative of the victim who served as a youth leader at Exodus, with abuse alleged to have occurred in Exodus premises in Coleraine and related activities; the victim's own church, First Dume Presbyterian, is also involved through connections to the individuals involved.
Desmond Boomer: The mystery of Malta plane accident, and the Belfast Engineer who never came home
Q: How did the family respond as new theories emerged?
The family pursued inquiries, FOI requests, and external research, while maintaining a personal drive to keep the story alive through a dedicated website and ongoing interviews, despite limited official revelations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The BelTel

What is The BelTel about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content centers on crime, politics, and current events in Northern Ireland, framed by in-depth courtroom coverage, inquests, and investigative reporting. Episodes frequently feature live courtroom analysis, expert witness perspectives (including pathologists and investigators), and long-form interviews that unpack both recent incidents and historical events. The cadence tends toward forensic detail, nuanced debate, and a focus on accountability, governance, and media coverage. A notable strength is assembling a mix of journalists, researchers, and occasional family voices to provide multiple angles on complex stories, making it useful for listeners who want thorough context beyond headlines and for potential guests or sponsors seeking a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The BelTel?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The BelTel:

1. The Troubles Podcast
2. The Indo Daily
3. Crime World
4. The State of Us
5. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

How many episodes of The BelTel are there?

The BelTel launched 4 years ago and published 745 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The BelTel?

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What guests have appeared on The BelTel?

Recent guests on The BelTel include:

1. Mary Wilson
2. Rory Carroll
3. Sinéad Morrisey
4. Angela Davison
5. Sam McBride
6. Gerard Shannon
7. Kurtis Reid
8. Amy Quinn

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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