On the 13 October 1994, six weeks after the IRA announced a ‘complete cessation’, the Loyalist paramilitary groups declared their ceasefires.

The UVF’s Gusty Spence announced loyalist violence was over, in a step that is seen as one of the vital steps towards a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by former PUP leader Billy Hutchinson, Historian Aaron Edwards, and journalists Allison Morris, Mark Simpson, and Vincent Kearney.

This episode was originally published in October 2024.

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The UUP's Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister – with a stinging public resignation letter aimed at his UUP leader Jon Burrows

The row is over retaining emergency general surgery at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The Northern Trust had recommended its closure, despite widespread local opposition.

Jon Burrows told a public meeting in Coleraine that he wouldn't support any closure – despite the health minister being a UUP man.

Mike Nesbitt is understood to have asked his leader to publicly move away from that position, but Jon Burrows refused.

What's going to be the outcome of all of this for the UUP?

Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor, Suzanne Breen.

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After 25 years of what it termed ‘Armed Struggle’ and the ‘Long War’ , the Provisional IRA called a “complete cessation of military operations” on 31st August 1994 – 30 years ago.

By that stage, the organisation was responsible for the deaths of 1,700 people. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalists Brian Rowan and Allison Morris, Former Belfast Telegraph Editor Ed Curran and historian Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh.

This episode was originally published in August 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.