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. 

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.

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

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 a 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. 

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

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. 

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

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. 

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

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