Robert McCartney was murdered by members of the IRA in January 2005; he died after being stabbed in the street outside a bar in Belfast.  Like many other murders, the IRA might have hoped that it would eventually blow over, it did not, it became an international news story.  Two of his sisters tell Suzanne Breen what they thought of the subsequent criminal trials, and if they think they were used by politicians. 

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

The murder of Robert McCartney and the IRA cover up

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.

Siobhán Fenton: Former insider on Sinn Féin' ideological conundrums 

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. 

The mistake that left ‘Slab' Murphy with a big bill and a massive problem  

 “We’ll forget her soon enough.” That is the extraordinary comment Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, claims King Charles made in the days following her death. Now, Spencer’s new book has reignited old tensions and prompted a rare response from Buckingham Palace. Daily Mail features writer Fred Kelly joins Kevin Doyle  to ask why Spencer is speaking out now, whether his claims stack up and what this latest royal row means for Diana’s enduring legacy.

The murder of Robert McCartney and the IRA cover up

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