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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]