The BelTel

In 1990, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy lost his seminal libel case against the Sunday Times.

But formerly secret files reveal the south Armagh republican was actually expected to win it – and that the paper was considering throwing in the towel.

But a tactical error by Murphy led to the paper deciding to fight – and not settle, costing him a fortune.

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride.
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There is a stalemate in Portadown and deep division in Stormont.
On the Orange side, the issue is the rights of a small number of people to march their traditional route – backed by a legal ruling.
On the Garvaghy Road, a community feels that march is sectarian harassment - and a relic of another age.
This is a local issue, but one which deep historical resonances, and one which many fear has brought Northern Ireland to the political brink.
Unionists accuse nationalists of not accepting the rule of law, while nationalists accuse unionists of unnecessarily opening an old wound.
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride and Allison Morris and hears from Claire Dickson in Portadown, and from Andrew Madden in Stormont.
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When journalist Siobhan Fenton was headhunted by Sinn Féin in 2020 she was an outsider.

Entering the party press office in Dublin, she was from Belfast, and didn’t support IRA violence.

At the time Sinn Fein was soaring, with Mary Lou McDonald expected to eventually become Ireland’s first female Taoiseach.

But that hasn’t happened. Instead, the party’s momentum faltered – although it remains the biggest party on the island.

What goes on inside of one of Ireland’s most secretive party, and how is the new generation of Sinn Féin staff changing the party?

After five years working for Sinn Fein, Siobhán Fenton was ruthlessly dumped, learning that she was being ditched through a media report in 2025.

She has released the book ‘Ourselves alone: Sinn Féin behind closed doors’ - and she joined Sam McBride on the BelTel.
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The Parades Commission has given go ahead for Drumcree Orange march down the Garvaghy Road - but with stringent conditions.
Permission has been granted for no more than 35 people, including five named marshals, to take part in the parade, which will depart Drumcree Church at 8am on Sunday September 27.
Nationalists are outraged by the decision; unionists have welcomed it.
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's security correspondent, Allison Morris.
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The former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson should serve at least 10 years in prison, a court in Newry has heard.
The remarks were made during a submission hearing for disgraced former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.
The former MP was convicted of a series of historical sexual offences earlier this year.
He was brought from Maghaberry high security prison to court for the hearing.
Submissions were made from prosecutors about the length of prison term he should serve.
Donaldson (63) had already been warned to expect a significant custodial term.
Allison Morris was in court.
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