How does a high-flying academic become one of Ireland's most prolific bank robbers? From the award winning team behind the Indo Daily comes I'm Not Here to Hurt You. Out now, wherever you get your podcasts. 

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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PROMO: ‘I’m Not Here to Hurt You’ – A new podcast about Ireland’s most ‘polite bank robber’ 

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.

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

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. 

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

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. 

PROMO: ‘I’m Not Here to Hurt You’ – A new podcast about Ireland’s most ‘polite bank robber’

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