his week, Fianna Fáil turns 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 

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.

The BelTel

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

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 – and the couple have to pay back £300,000 in damages.    

Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid. 

Tattle Life: Why the case against gossip site fell apart  

David Graham is a former DUP councillor, and a former advisor to education minister Peter Weir. 

The political commentator has been a teacher and has worked for both Linfield and Rangers.  

Recently, he’s 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.  

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

Top civil servants had debated whether to effectively admit that Bloody Sunday was not as Widgery 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 of the 14 deaths against the backdrop of the nascent peace process.   

The files also contain a heartfelt handwritten letter to the Prime Minister John Major, 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. 

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

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