The State of Us

As a preview to The State of Us live show at the Belfast Media Festival in November Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take an in-depth look at the popularity of court podcasts. Why are people so fascinated with the detail from inside trials and inquests. Register here to be in the audience on November 10th belfastmediafestival.co.uk.

The outcome of the most recent legal challenge of the decisions on the Drumcree march will be revealed next week. Today, lawyers for Garvaghy Road residents said they should not be conflated with dissident republicans. The PSNI’s barrister said mentions of the Provisional IRA were outside the confines of this case, and concerns should be taken up with the Policing Board.

Police intelligence found dissident republicans may have mounted gun attacks on officers had they cleared a path for a parade on the Garvaghy Road. Loyalist paramilitaries were also "depicting signs of frustration". The intelligence was revealed at Belfast High Court today, where Sir Chris Bryant’s decision to ban the contentious parade is being challenged by the Portadown Orange Order.

A special programme from The State of Us podcast. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey report on the fifteen year prison sentence handed down to Jeffrey Donaldson for child sex abuse. The former DUP leader was convicted in June of rape, gross indecency and indecent assault of two women when they were children. The programme hears what the judge said to the sixty three old former MP and knight of the realm, and also hears statements from the two victims and the police.

Garvaghy Road residents lost their bid to challenge the Parades Commission's decision in the Court of Appeal today. What arguments were made? Why did the right to march win out? And what does this ruling mean for other Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland?

The Secretary of State says his decision to ban the Orange Order’s Drumcree parade was taken in the best interests of peace. His action came after an agreement couldn’t be reached between the Portadown District Lodge and the Garvaghy Road residents. Sir Chris Bryant said he received advice from the Chief Constable that allowing the march down the mainly nationalist area could lead to serious injury, disorder and wider unrest. The State of Us hears more about what prompted his decision, gets reaction from those involved and asks what happens next.

Eleanor Donaldson’s trial of the facts earlier this year, as part of her husband Jeffrey Donaldon’s sex abuse case, brought a complicated legal process into the headlines. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey explain in detail what a trial of the facts is, and why it can be difficult for victims and survivors to navigate. They also hear from a woman whose abuser faced a trial of the facts last year and why she wants changes to the system.

The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in a bid by Garvaghy Road residents to challenge a decision to allow a controversial Orange Order parade down the predominantly nationalist road. Three judges listened to almost four hours of legal arguments inside a packed courtroom in Belfast. The deadlock over the proposed march in Portadown has lasted since the 27th of September. Declan Harvey and Tara Mills report on today’s developments and ask what happens next ?

As the Garvaghy Road residents prepare to head back to the Court of Appeal on Friday we learn more about what police told the Parades Commission before its determination. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey discuss the latest twists in the dispute over the contentious Drumcree march, including some straight-talking remarks from the PSNI chief constable and how an AI image has generated some controversy.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has been reported to the police by the Orange Order for attending a protest blocking the Garvaghy Road. What is the law on ‘spontaneous’ protests?

What are the rules around marching and policing. How do they play out in reality, do they apply to everyone and who enforces them? Tara Mills and Declan Harvey shed more light on the standoff at Drumcree.

How the courts gave the Drumcree march the go ahead. After the Parades Commission’s decision to allow the march, Garvaghy Rd residents and the Portadown Orange Order took their dispute to court. An overnight 15-hour legal battle ensued.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. The two women Jeffrey Donaldson abused as children came to court today, as his prison sentence was discussed. He will be sentenced in October. Eleanor Donaldson has been asked to attend court at a later date to hear the outcome of the verdict in her trial of the facts.

The Parades Commission has given the Garvaghy Road march the go ahead after 28 years. We explore the arguments that tipped the scale.

How did the Drumcree dispute bring Northern Ireland to a standstill? Tara Mills and Declan Harvey explain how it all began.

A special programme from The State of Us podcast. The former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty in June 2026 of rape, gross indecency and indecent assault of two women when they were children. His wife Eleanor Donaldson was found to have done the acts in relation to five charges , including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband’s offending. Jeffrey Donaldson’s appeal was lodged earlier in the summer and today we found out his wife has applied to appeal the verdict from her trial of the facts linked to her husband’s offending.

A special programme from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for the last six years. After almost six months of evidence, jurors deliver their verdict on where, when and how Noah died.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for six years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. After returning from the summer break, one juror is removed, leaving nine to decide where, when and how Noah died.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The jury are expected to resume their deliberations when the inquest returns next week.

A series from The State of Us podcast. Former Council CEO Anne Donaghy denied charges of deleting an email she had sent to former DUP First Minister Arlene Foster. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey bring you the evidence as it unfolds each day in court. On Wednesday the judge delivered her verdict.

A series from The State of Us podcast. Former Council CEO Anne Donaghy denies charges of deleting a Brexit email she had sent to former DUP First Minister Arlene Foster. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey bring you the evidence as it unfolds each day in court. The court hears she invited colleagues to her house on a Sunday to discuss the deleted email.

A series from The State of Us podcast. Former Council CEO Anne Donaghy denies charges of deleting a Brexit email she had sent to former DUP First Minister Arlene Foster. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey bring you the evidence as it unfolds each day in court.

A series from The State of Us podcast. Former Council CEO Anne Donaghy denies charges of deleting a Brexit email she sent to former DUP First Minister Arlene Foster. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey set out the case before they head into the courtroom to bring you the evidence as it unfolds each day.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. With no sign of any verdict the coroner makes a shock late night decision to adjourn the inquest until August or September.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. Jurors start work on answers to the inquest’s questions.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, finished his closing speech to the jury. The jurors will consider twelve questions, including if police made an error which contributed to the schoolboy’s death.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The Coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, begins his summing up and explains to the jury what findings they cannot come to.

A special programme from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is a convicted paedophile and child rapist. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, who faced five charges including four related to aiding and abetting, is found to have done the acts. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey have been in court throughout the trial and heard every piece of evidence put to the jury. They bring you the detail of the final day in the Donaldson sex abuse trial, and reaction to the verdicts.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The jury considers its verdict on a combined 23 charges for a second day.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The jury retires to consider its verdict on a combined 23 charges.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. All 76 witnesses have now given their evidence to the inquest.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. Eleanor Donaldson’s barrister has asked a jury to “bring an end to this nightmare for her and find her not guilty of all the charges she’s facing.”

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The police officer in charge of the investigation into Noah Donohoe's death apologises for a breakdown in relations between the PSNI and Noah's family.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. Barristers began giving closing statements today in court, as the case nears its end. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The final witness in the Noah Donohoe inquest has taken to the stand.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's defence team closed its case today. A barrister for Lady Donaldson told the court he’d nothing further to add.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The lawyers begin to tie up loose ends as the inquest enters its final stages.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. A special series from The State of Us podcast. Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC finished her cross examination of Jeffrey Donaldson today. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The inquest hears about the efforts made by police to contact the author Noah had been fixated with in the days and weeks before his death.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The court hears Eleanor Donaldson ‘s police interview whenever she was arrested in 2024. The jury hears from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in person as he takes to the witness stand and denies all the allegations against him. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. A police officer involved in the investigation into Noah's disappearance has been giving evidence.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. Four mental health experts have told the inquest they don’t believe a mental illness had a part in Noah’s death.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The court heard Eleanor Donaldson's police interview when she was arrested in 2024. She told police she was on ‘red alert’ for years regarding her husband. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The court heard Noah Donohoe could have been in the early stages of a psychotic episode on the day he disappeared.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The trial hears the moment police put the rape allegation to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson during interview. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. Five witnesses gave evidence in Newry Crown Court today. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The court hears Jeffrey Donaldson sent a message to a Church minister saying he wanted to repent. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. A former detective whose job it was to check all of Noah’s digital devices doesn’t remember seeing the last photograph taken on his phone.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death have dominated headlines for five and a half years. The inquest into his death will, for the first time, lay out the facts and evidence in this case. In this special series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. Noah’s mum wept and left the court as footage was shown in court of his final journey cycling through Belfast on the day he disappeared.

LONG: A special series from The State of Us podcast. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. Complainant B continued giving evidence and told the court she feels she should have gone to police with her allegations against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson years before she did. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website