 

Five years ago, the DUP was in largest party in Northern Ireland, lurched to open civil war. 

The party had been led by Ian Paisley for 37 years – but an unprecedented outbreak of factional politics saw three different leaders in just 50 days.  

The middle one, Edwin Poots, lasted a total of just 33 days. 

To explain the background to the DUP’s woes and their long-term effect, Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s political editor, Suzanne Breen.

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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Suzanne Breen on the ‘DUP Civil War’ - five years on  

An access hatch on the inlet to a culvert in which Noah Donohoe was found should have been locked six months previously, an inquest into his death has heard. But the jury also heard the storm drain was in good condition and had no history of unauthorised accessThe 14-year-old’s body was discovered in north Belfast on June 27, 2020, six days after he went missing. A post-mortem examination found the likely cause of death was drowning. The inquest into his death, which is being heard before a jury, is now in its 14th week. 

Liam Tunney reports. 

Noah Donohoe Inquest: ‘I’ve f***ked it’ -  Stormont employee’s panic over unlocked hatch  

There is a very senior, well-paid civil servant, working in the higher echelons of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. 

Only a handful of officials work at that level and with every one of these individuals we are entitled to know who they are, what they do and what they are paid – but not when it comes to one man. Or is it a woman? We don’t know. 

The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has discovered a top-mandarin that we know nothing about - a secret civil servant. 

The taxpayer is not allowed to know what they do, not allowed to know how much they are paid and not even allowed to know what their name is.  

Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel to explain this bizarre story.  

Sam McBride’s hunt for Stormont’s secret civil servant on a vast salary 

Sinn Féin are still top of the polls north and south – but all polls show the party has lost ground. Many commentators think Sinn Féin have lost their direction and sense of purpose. 

So - has Sinn Féin really lost its mojo and what can it do about it?  

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by politics lecturer and commentator David McCann to discuss what Sinn Féin will have to do to hold its ground ahead of the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly elections.  

Suzanne Breen on the ‘DUP Civil War’ - five years on

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