The State of Us

For nearly forty years John Linehan has played the Queen of the one liners May McFettridge. It’s a role he assumed almost by accident after a chance invitation on to a radio phone-in show from presenter at the time, Eamonn Holmes. In this Christmas edition of The State of Us, John takes time out from the annual pantomime at the Grand Opera House in Belfast and joins Tara and Declan to reflect on his long and successful career. John describes how one woman told him he had saved her life and what that meant to him; surviving a bomb attack in a Belfast pub in the early seventies; doing a gig at a funeral and how he sees modern day drag queens. (Content warning : mention of suicide. If you have been affected by any of these issues, there is support and information available at the BBC Action Line: https://bbc.in/4rB5Zw6 )

Exposure to sectarian and political violence in childhood is a defining feature in the lives of homeless people in Northern Ireland. That’s according to research into how people living in hostels here have grown up.The study found they are three times more likely to have experienced Troubles-related violence than the rest of society.The Childhood Adversity and Homelessness in Northern Ireland was carried out in partnership with the Simon Community. The charity’s Director of Homelessness Services Kirsten Hewitt and Head of Research Karen McAllister join Declan to unpick their findings while Donna, who was homeless at 18, tells us how growing up in west Belfast during the 1980s impacted her mental health.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

He was Stakeknife, Britain's top spy in the IRA. And he was also Freddie Scappaticci, a west Belfast man who rose through the ranks of the IRA, before fleeing Northern Ireland decades ago when claims about his double life became public.He died in 2023, but the details and circumstances of his life – and what he did while acting for the Army while in the IRA – has become the subject of books, podcasts and TV shows.Now, this week, a 160-page report into his recruitment and actions while active as a British agent was published following a nine-year, £45m investigation called Operation Kenova.It unveiled key details about Stakeknife that have not been heard before – while also being unable to officially name him as Freddie Scappaticci, a decision described as a “farce” by Northern Ireland’s chief constable.BBC News NI’s crime and justice correspondent Julian O’Neill joined Tara and Declan to step through the controversial life of one of the Army’s most prized assets during the Troubles – and how there are still questions to answer for those connected to recruiting and handling him. Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Blue-green algae, pollutants – and cocaine?The health of Northern Ireland’s lakes and rivers has been in the spotlight for some time and now scientists have found the widespread presence of drugs – including cocaine, painkillers and anti-depressants – in some of our major waterways.And, while the water sampled is not the same stuff as comes out of our taps, it does point towards another pressure point for Northern Ireland’s marine environment.Journalist Kathryn Torney and the study’s lead author Dr Billy Hunter joined Tara and Declan on the pink sofa to discuss some of the surprising findings and answer key questions – what does the level of cocaine tell us about drug abuse? What does increased levels of caffeine do to fish and other animals? And could more antibiotics in the water lead to more antibiotic resistance?Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) is the biggest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland, with more than 200,000 members across the island.And it has never had its moderator, or head of the church, resign in its 185-year history – until three weeks ago.The announcement that Rev Trevor Gribben was stepping down due to serious safeguarding failings over a 13-year period, and that the police were starting a criminal investigation, has rocked the Church. Further revelations in the days and weeks since have led to major questions – could there be a public inquiry? Can the Church’s leaders restore confidence? And will people come forward with allegations of abuse that lay bare those safeguarding failings?According to BBC Talkback presenter William Crawley, they already are coming forward and this story could be just beginning. He joined Declan in the studio to outline everything you need to know about the Presbyterian Church crisis so far and what could happen next. If you have been affected by any of these issues, there is support and information available at the BBC Action Line: https://bbc.in/4rB5Zw6Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

When Aidan Walsh announced his retirement from boxing last month, and said he was doing so with relief, it was clear his relationship with the sport is complicated.There were great days, not least winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and representing Ireland at the highest stage with sister, and fellow boxer, Michaela. But there were dark days too, when he struggled under the pressure of performing and suffered under the emotional jabs of some of the coaches he encountered.He joined Tara and Declan on the pink sofa to talk about why he's delighted to quit, how the smell of boxing gloves makes him stressed and why he doesn't know exactly where his Olympic medal is. Michaela Walsh also called into the studio to talk about her relationship with brother Aidan and how her boxing journey continues, possibly to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, you can find information and support on the BBC Action Line. Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Taxes, child benefits, electric cars and milkshakes - yes, we’re talking the Budget and how it could affect you.To help us along we invited some past guests of the programme back on to better understand what it all means. These guests all come from different circumstances – factory worker and new homeowner Jamie Jennings; single mum Louise McCullough; full-time worker Marc McKee who has a side-business as a content creator; plus libel lawyer Paul Tweed. And while everyone’s financial picture is different, a lot of their concerns – from home ownership to childcare and tax hikes – will feel familiar. So they kindly called in, while Ulster University professor Jodie Carson joined Tara and Declan on the pink sofa to help make sense of how people could see the benefits, and drawbacks, of this Budget. Boil the kettle or grab a milkshake if you like…How is the Budget affecting you? Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Jim Browning has more than four million followers on YouTube, is a star of the BBC’s Scam Interceptors programme and makes his living uncovering and exposing people trying to grift their way to your money – but no-one knows who he really is.Once a Northern Ireland-based engineer with a curiosity about who was behind those annoying phone calls, now he’s a ‘scam-baiter’ who looks to turn the tables on scammers.But moving in such dangerous territory means, for his safety, he uses a fake name and keeps his face hidden. He agreed to speak to Tara and Declan for today’s episode of The State of Us while wearing a hoodie and mask. We’re glad he did though as he talks everything scam, from pig butchering and helping the police to what you should do when you get a scam call, email or text.For more information on scams and what to do (and not to do), visit the BBC Scam Safe 2025 site: https://www.bbc.co.uk/topics/cz0x47klllztGet in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

The Christian religious education (RE) taught in schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful, the UK Supreme Court has ruled.In a unanimous judgement the UK's highest court allowed an appeal by an unnamed father and daughter from Northern Ireland.BBC News NI education correspondent Robbie Meredith joins Tara Mills and Declan Harvey to explain what it will mean for schools and pupils going forward. From nativities and assemblies to RE and sex ed – what is going to change?Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Earlier this week, Tara and Declan spoke to two fathers who lost their sons in a crush outside a County Tyrone hotel almost seven years ago – and during the conversation were struck by the fact that many young people were caught up in chaos outside the Greenvale Hotel.So in this episode they spoke to two of them – Jack McCullagh and Darragh Dalton, close friends of two of three teenagers who died that night, Morgan Barnard and Connor Currie.Jack and Darragh are now young men who since that night have done GCSEs, A-levels, degrees and set themselves up for careers – but who are still waiting for the day when they could be called to give evidence in court about that night.They told Tara and Declan about how their lives have moved on since Greenvale, the lingering trauma they still cope with and how closure is so important to them and the victims’ families.Meanwhile, Declan also speaks about talking to Mary Bullock, mother of the crush’s third victim Lauren Bullock, who has, until now, not spoken publicly about what happened. And we also have an update on where the criminal case is at as its long delay through the court system continues.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

It is almost seven years since three teenagers went to a St Patrick's night disco in County Tyrone and did not come home.Morgan Barnard, 17, Connor Currie, 16 and Lauren Bullock, 17, died in a crowd crush involving hundreds of young people outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown in March 2019. Their families say that delays in the legal system have been like a ‘second trauma’. Morgan's dad Jimmy, and Connor's dad Eamonn have been speaking to Tara and Declan for today's episode of The State of Us.For help and support: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Blue Lights’ winning streak looks set to continue, with season three of the award-winning police drama attracting plenty of attention from TV fans and critics alike.This season Michael Smiley, best known for roles in the likes of Spaced, Alien: Earth, Black Mirror and Bad Sisters, joined the cast as intelligence officer Paul ‘Colly’ Collins, whose long history with Ch Insp Helen McNally, played by Joanne Crawford, quickly becomes apparent. In today’s episode of The State of Us, recorded live at the Belfast Media Festival, they both joined Tara Mills and Declan Harvey to talk playing police officers, the “dance” of getting a scene right and their own, sometimes long-distance, relationship with Northern Ireland. Episode contains strong language. Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Darragh MacIntyre is an investigative journalist with BBC Panorama. When it comes to being at the forefront of breaking news stories, there’s not much Darragh hasn’t done over his career. From talking to paramilitaries and looking at the crimes of the Catholic Church, to getting the first UK interview with Virginia Giuffre. He joined Tara Mills and Declan Harvey in front of a live audience at the Belfast Media Festival to talk about the current crisis engulfing the BBC, his work as an investigative journalist, and the time he jacked it all in to become a Donegal pub landlord.His latest film, The Disappearance of Captain Robert Nairac is his third time to collaborate with Alison Millar. Over his career he has won a number of Royal Television Society Awards, Irish Film and Television Awards, and Celtic Media Awards.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Some women died of cervical cancer in Northern Ireland, while waiting to find out what went wrong with the Southern Trust’s screening programme.17,500 tests had to be rechecked. Women who had been diagnosed and treated for cancer were retraumatised after they were again contacted about abnormalities discovered during an audit of their cases.This process – known as disclosure – was so badly handled that patients complained that they were misled about the gravity of the news they were to receive, with some going without a family member because they thought it was a routine appointment.Others spoke about feeling intimidated in a room full of medical staff, with some women feeling "shocked" , "horrified", and feeling "it was a washing away of the truth".Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced an expert review into the reports, however, he stopped short of ordering a statutory public inquiry.In today’s episode of The State of Us – Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you through exactly what went wrong, and what all of this means going forward.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

At least 116 children – including 91 teenage girls – have been married in Northern Ireland since legal reform to criminalise the arrangement of child marriages was announced over three years ago.On 1 July 2022, Stormont’s then Finance Minister Conor Murphy said that work would begin on new legislation following a public consultation which showed overwhelming support to raise the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership to 18.Currently, 16 and 17-year-olds can still marry in Northern Ireland if they have permission from a parent or a guardian. You cannot get legally married in England, Wales or Ireland under the age of 18. The Scottish Government confirmed in July that it is committed to consulting on raising its minimum marriage age from 16 to 18. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey speak to data journalist Kathryn Torney, who has been delving into the figures. Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

A former paratrooper has been found not guilty of murdering two people on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972.Known only as Soldier F – he was also found not guilty of five counts of attempted murder. Thirteen people were shot dead, and 15 others injured, when soldiers opened fire at a civil rights demonstration in a predominantly Catholic part of the city.Soldier F - the only military veteran to be prosecuted over the shootings - was screened from public view. The trial took place without a jury, with verdicts delivered by Judge Patrick Lynch.On today’s episode, Tara Mills is at Belfast Crown Court, Declan Harvey is in Derry. We’ll hear from families, veterans and have political reaction.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

People in the arts community who have sympathy with Israel are treated “basically like a Nazi” according to the writer of a major new TV drama. David Ireland has said that the situation in Israel and Gaza is an “impossible thing to talk about” for some people working in the arts. Ireland is the writer behind the ITV crime thriller Coldwater staring Eve Myles and Andrew Lincoln, as well as The Fifth Step, a play currently starring Jack Louden and Martin Freeman and showing at the Soho Place in London.Born in Belfast, Ireland has said that there is a natural affinity between unionist communities in Northern Ireland and Israel. In this episode of The State of Us, he explores that, and much more – including his relationship with alcohol, God and the rest of the arts community. Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

The parents of a SEN teenager have been convicted for their son’s non-attendance at school in a case that has cost them £30k.The Education Authority took the case against James and Leigh Bryson after their son Archie, who is autistic, missed almost a year of school.The couple join Tara and Declan on the podcast to talk about having their lives dissected in court and feeling victimised by the process. We also ask them about being found to have failed to meet their legal duty to ensure their child has access to education.A spokesperson for the Education Authority said that following a long period of engagement, during which they say the Brysons were not cooperative, they were left with no other option but to pursue court action.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk

Donald Trump says the next stage of negotiations over his Israel/Gaza peace plan to end the war are under way. There are no details yet though, about when, where or how that will be carried out. The PM Keir Starmer says the focus in the days and weeks ahead is "the relentless implementation of this peace plan", which he calls "no small challenge."With Tony Blair being tipped to potentially help oversee governance of post-war Gaza, his experience in helping to bring about peace in NI is being lauded as a blueprint for negotiations in the Middle East.We are familiar here with talk of decommissioning, prisoner release and special envoys. But can the diplomacy that took place then, really be useful now? Kevin Connolly was a BBC foreign correspondent for more than 40 years. He has covered his fair share of peace declarations and the aftermath, including here in Northern Ireland during the years leading up to and after the Good Friday Agreement. He gives Tara and Declan his expert analysis about how much Northern Ireland's history can help in drafting a plan for the Middle East.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.ukWant to hear more about the Good Friday Agreement?Have a listen to Tara and Declan on the Year ’98 podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f6ltxb

When a man was convicted of raping a woman last month, he went on the run. His victim says she felt down when it took police nearly two weeks to publish his picture. Ahmed Abashar, 31, from University Avenue in Belfast, was convicted of rape last month but failed to appear in court. Jane, not her real name, said the lack of action made her feel the police "weren't taking it seriously".The Police Service of Northern Ireland said sexual crimes were "incredibly complex to investigate" and supporting victims was a priority.Abashar raped Jane in March 2023 after they met on an online dating site.A trial commenced on 23 September 2025 and he was convicted in court in his absence on 30 September. A bench warrant was then issued for his arrest.Jane said his image should have been released by police as soon as he failed to appear, adding that the "sooner you get it out, the sooner everyone can be on the lookout".So why did it take the PSNI so long to release the image? What is their policy on ‘mugshots?’ Why is it different to GB?BBC reporter Brendan Hughes tells Tara Mills & Declan Harvey that victims feel ‘ignored and not taken seriously’ when no mugshot is issued.Also today – our verdict on The Celebrity Traitors.Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk