The BelTel

Donaldson Trial: Eleanor Donaldson “did nothing” when told of an allegation of abuse, Newry court hears 01.06.2026 5min

Eleanor Donaldson “did nothing” when told of an allegation of abuse by her husband, Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has heard. The claim from one of the alleged victims came during week two of the former DUP leader’s trial. 63-year-old Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.  The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency.  Donaldson’s wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged offending.  The 60-year-old is facing a trial of the facts, not a criminal trial, after judge Paul Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.  Allison Morris was in court for day four of evidence.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Free Presbyterian minister jailed with Ian Paisley ‘dares’ colleagues to expel him 01.06.2026 38min

Sixty years after being jailed with Ian Paisley, a veteran Free Presbyterian minister is daring his clerical colleagues to expel him. Now, the Rev Ivan Foster – himself a former DUP Assemblyman – is facing discipline for criticising Free Presbyterian ministers. A second cleric, the Rev David Linden, is also facing disciplinary measures. 83-year-old Rev Foster has publicly accused the church of breaking its own rules.   Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donaldson Trial: Wife planted bug in MP’s car over suspicions of an affair, Newry court hears 29.05.2026 6min

Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife planted a listening device in his car after becoming suspicious he was having affair with a constituent, a court in Newry has been told.  The 63-year-old former MP in on trial in relation to 18 alleged historical sex offence charges, dating from 1985 to 2008 – including a charge of rape. He denies all of the charges against him.  His wife Eleanor Donaldson, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore in Co Down, is charged with aiding and abetting. She denies the charges.  She will not be in court and is facing a trial of the facts as she has been ruled medically unfit to stand trial.  Allison Morris was in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Donohoe Inquest: Searching culvert “not a priority” 29.05.2026 17min

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has been hearing its 17th week of evidence. This week the inquest heard a police constable say investigating the culvert in which the teenager's body was found was “not a priority” during the first few days of the search. The jury also heard an engineer say it was ‘Extremely unlikely’ Noah entered the watercourse from anywhere but culvert entrance at Premier Drive. Liam Tunney is the Belfast Telegraph’s chief reporter on the inquest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The very public break-up of Tommy Fleming and Tina Mitchell 29.05.2026 25min

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side. Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show. Details of their separation, of Tommy’s affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at BelfastTelegraph.co.uk/ourjournalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donaldson Trial: Jeffrey Donaldson asked alleged victim for forgiveness for ‘hurt and pain’ caused 28.05.2026 9min

The trial of Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged sex crimes has heard he wrote a letter to an alleged victim asking for forgiveness. The court was read the letter from June 2020 to a woman he is accused of abusing. In it he asked for her forgiveness for “hurt and pain I have caused”. In the letter to Witness A, he referred to “sinful and selfish actions” and wrote he wanted to “take full responsibility for all I have done”. An interview recorded in March 2024 was shown to the court, which showed Witness A recounting two main alleged incidents. The witness said that inappropriate touching had become “a very casual thing”. 63-year-old Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged historical sexual offences.  Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donaldson trial: Jury hears complainant wrote to defendants over “secret” 27.05.2026 8min

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep’  The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.  Allison Morris was in court.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dig begins for disappeared victim 29-year-old Seamus Maguire 26.05.2026 19min

A search has begun near the shores of Lough Neagh for one of the Disappeared. 29-year-old Seamus Maguire is thought to have been killed and secretly buried by republicans 50 years ago. The search operation is on land near to his homeplace of Aghagallon, near Lurgan.  It is the first search for one of the Disappeared to take place in Northern Ireland for 16 years.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Journalist Andrew Madden.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Finucane: Inquiry set to begin into the Belfast solicitor’s murder 24.05.2026 30min

The murder of Pat Finucane is one of the most notorious of the troubles. The 39-year-old Belfast solicitor was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in 1989 by UDA gunmen. A series of investigations revealed collusion with the state. The first hearing of a public inquiry into the killing is set to take place next month – with Sir Gary Hickinbottom as chairman of the inquiry. Pat Finucane’s family, including his son, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane, has long fought for an inquiry into the case to be opened.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris to preview the inquest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donaldson trial to begin: Attorney General warns public of contempt laws 21.05.2026 24min

The trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and the trial of the facts of his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, will be heard together.  Eleanor Donaldson, who had faced charges of aiding and abetting which she strenously denies, has been declared unfit to stand trial. Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences, including one count of rape, as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency spanning a time period between 1985 and 2008, with two alleged victims.  The former DUP leader’s trial and the trial of the facts will begin on Tuesday. The Attorney General has issued advice on commenting on legal cases.  What is a trial of the facts, can you comment online about the case, and what can we expect next week?  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Donohoe inquest, week 16: Jury hears of ‘terrifying’ conditions 20.05.2026 25min

The jury in Noah Donohoe inquest have heard a sixteenth week of evidence. The schoolboy was just 14 when his naked body was found in the storm drain tunnel on June 27, 2020. He had been missing for six days.  On Thursday, an expert witness gave testimony on the CCTV footage of Noah leaving his flat during the night before he went missing.   Earlier in the week the jury heard that conditions in culvert where his body was found would have been “terrifying”.  Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ulster's Lost Counties: Ed Burke on Loyalism and Paramilitarism in Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal 20.05.2026 38min

In 1920 a momentous decision was finalised - three Ulster counties, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan would not be included in the new Northern Ireland. It was felt that the new entity would be more secure without those counties which had nationalist majorities. But they also had large, Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist minorities - then abandoned in the new Irish Free State.  Ed Burke has written a new book – it's called ‘Ulster's Lost Counties: Loyalism and Paramilitarism since 1920’. In it he examines armed loyalism and resistance to Irish nationalism coming from the people of the three counties.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tattle Life: Why the case against gossip site fell apart 18.05.2026 22min

Tattle Life is a self-described “commentary website”.  Supporters of the site say it’s free speech, protects consumers, and that influencers are fair game, with the website saying it has a zero-tolerance policy to any abusive, hateful or harmful content. But critics claim users have published private documents, that the site facilitates vile and cruel trolling – even stalking.  Last year, it was revealed County Antrim couple Neil and Donna Sands seemed to have taken the so-called ‘king of the trolls’, alleged owner of the site, Sebastian Bond, down. But now court has ruled he didn’t even know his crown was being seized.Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

100 years of Fianna Fáil: The highs, the lows, the controversies 16.05.2026 28min

Fianna Fáil has turned the ripe old age of 100. But is the house that Éamon de Valera built in disarray? Irish Independent political correspondent John Downing reckons “they’re a very pale, poor shadow of what they were”. So, how did Dev shape the party in the first place? How did Seán Lemass modernise Ireland? Why did Charles Haughey command such loyalty? What made Bertie Ahern the “ultimate pragmatist”? And where does Micheál Martin stand among the leaders who have gone before him? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: John Downing  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Donohoe Inquest: Jury shown footage of Noah’s remains 15.05.2026 28min

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe is now in its 15th week. This week the jury has heard evidence from the PSNI officers who found Noah’s remains. It also heard how a senior official went down into the culvert himself to help him understand what happened. 14-year-old Noah’s remains were found in north Belfast in June 2020 - six days after he went missing after cycling to meet friends.  Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Graham: When my kids are 40 there won’t have been border poll, but unionism needs a reset 15.05.2026 41min

David Graham is a former DUP councillor, and a former advisor to education minister Peter Weir. He has been a teacher and has worked for both Linfield and Rangers. He is also a political commentator.  Recently he has been writing about the need for the unionist parties to bring in fresh talent.  He joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel to discuss unionist politics, how to fix Stormont and Northern Ireland, and whether he expects a border poll.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kew Files: Buried for decades, a mother’s harrowing letter amid officials’ Bloody Sunday papers 13.05.2026 38min

Top civil servants had debated whether to effectively admit that Bloody Sunday was not as Lord Widgery's whitewash had claimed.  Documents uncovered in the formerly secret Kew Files reveal much debate among officials as to how they should deal with the legacy of the 14 deaths against the backdrop of the nascent peace process.   In one of these files is a heartfelt handwritten letter to the Prime Minister, John Major; it is a plea for justice.  It was written by Kathleen Kelly, mother of Michael Kelly, who died after being shot by Paratrooper Soldier F.    Ciarán Dunbar is joined by our Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'All Ana wanted was a friend': Eight years on from the disturbing killing of Ana Kriegel 11.05.2026 34min

The murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel remains one of the most disturbing crimes in Irish history. In May 2018, Ana was lured from her home by a local boy. Three days later, her body was found in a derelict house – naked and violently assaulted.Two boys, just 13 years old at the time of the killing, were the youngest in the State to be tried, and convicted, of murder. Eight years on, Irish Independent court reporter Eimear Cotter reflects on the horrific murder of Ana Kriegel and the public outrage that followed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzanne Breen on the ‘DUP Civil War’ - five years on 10.05.2026 38min

Five years ago, the DUP was in largest party in Northern Ireland, lurched to open civil war. The party had been led by Ian Paisley for 37 years – but an unprecedented outbreak of factional politics saw three different leaders in just 50 days.  The middle one, Edwin Poots, lasted a total of just 33 days. To explain the background to the DUP’s woes and their long-term effect, Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s political editor, Suzanne Breen  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Donohoe Inquest: ‘I’ve f***ked it’ - Stormont employee’s panic over unlocked hatch 08.05.2026 25min

An access hatch on the inlet to a culvert in which Noah Donohoe was found should have been locked six months previously, an inquest into his death has heard. But the jury also heard the storm drain was in good condition and had no history of unauthorised accessThe 14-year-old’s body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after he went missing. A post-mortem examination found the likely cause of death was drowning. The inquest into his death, which is being heard before a jury, is now in its 14th week.  Liam Tunney reports.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.