Dave Rupert: The Chicago trucker recruited by the FBI to spy on IRA
Dave Rupert, a six and half foot tall, middle-aged trucker from Chicago, with no Irish links. Rupert was a tourist who enjoyed a pint and through a series of chance events became a trusted republican insider and then an agent working for the FBI. How did an American man with no background in republicanism end up living a double life as part of the Real IRA Army council, and why did its leader Mickey McKevitt believe him? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Abdon Pallasch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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NI Artist Colin Davidson on painting the late Queen, the Troubles and his most important work
Belfast man Colin Davidson is one of Ireland’s most celebrated painters. Queen Elizabeth II, Bono, Ed Sheeran and Seamus Heaney are among the host of famous faces to have sat for him. Yet the Belfast-born painter regards his greatest work as a series of 18 portraits, which he did for free. In his new book, titled ‘Twelve paintings: Conversations with Mark Carruthers’ the NI artist speaks to BBC Journalist about 12 of his key works about why he does what he does. Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride is joined by Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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‘Media amplifies opposition to Irish language’: Newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner
The newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner says the Irish language is not controversial and that opposition to it is “amplified” by the media. Dr Pól Deeds also said he couldn’t think of an example of language “weaponisation”. Unionist opposition to the language has long been justified as legitimate due to “weaponisation” of Irish by republicans. Dr Deeds spoke to the BelTel’s Ciarán Dunbar in a wide-ranging interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Scappaticci / Stakeknife’s extraordinary relationship with army revealed
The long-awaited report on the activities of IRA double agent ‘Stakeknife’, Freddie Scappaticci, has now been released. The investigation, which cost close to £48 million and took eight years, has revealed new details, despite not naming Scappaticci as Stakeknife. It reveals details of security forces confirming that the Stakeknife operation probably cost more lives than it saved and established. that Scappaticci ‘volunteered interest in helping security forces’. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris and Kurtis Reid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Disappeared commission chief on the search for the dead
Four victims of the Troubles - all believed to be victims of the IRA, remain missing. The so-called ‘Disappeared’, people murdered and secretly buried by republicans have long been searched for but the remains of Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire have yet to be found. A new search for Seamus Maguire is planned for the spring. The body responsible for finding them is the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains – informally known as the Disappeared Commission. The body is headed by former Garda Eamonn Henry, he joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.