Sam McBride
@sjamcbride.bsky.social
Northern Ireland Editor of the Belfast Telegraph & Sunday Independent. Author of Burned: The Inside Story of the Cash-for-Ash Scandal. Any views mine alone.
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Sam McBride
@sjamcbride.bsky.social
· Jun 25
📢 Some news from me: I've written a book with the erudite and eloquent Fintan O'Toole in which we each argue for - and then against - Irish unity, setting out objectively what seem to us each side's best arguments, and the issues people across the island of Ireland should consider.
Less than a year after being jailed for three years for his role in one of the biggest drugs farms ever uncovered in Northern Ireland, brazen farmer Clive Weir is already being allowed out of prison - despite the judge saying he'd serve at least 18 months.
Cannabis farmer seen back at home less than year into three-year jail term
Less than a year after being given a three-year sentence for his role in one of the biggest drugs farms ever uncovered in Northern Ireland, brazen farmer Clive Weir is already being allowed out of jai...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Less than a year after being jailed for three years for his role in one of the biggest drugs farms ever uncovered in Northern Ireland, brazen farmer Clive Weir is already being allowed out of prison - despite the judge saying he'd serve at least 18 months.
Reposted by Sam McBride
The Covid Inquiry has already cost over £200m, yet is hiding vast evidence of Stormont’s chaos which will now be destroyed – just as some hoped. Dame Hallett's inquiry - whose cost could have funded 500 experienced nurses for a decade - reeks of weakness.
Inquiry has cost over £200m, yet has hidden evidence of Stormont’s chaos which will be destroyed – just as some hoped
The only justification for the immense cost of a public inquiry is if it fearlessly and transparently sets out the truth in all its reality, whether pleasant or ugly.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 10:18 AM
The Covid Inquiry has already cost over £200m, yet is hiding vast evidence of Stormont’s chaos which will now be destroyed – just as some hoped. Dame Hallett's inquiry - whose cost could have funded 500 experienced nurses for a decade - reeks of weakness.
Reposted by Sam McBride
Forty years on from the Anglo-Irish Agreement, this is a fascinating piece on the private discussions, and for Unionism gear shifts, that followed on from the agreement and which would play a key role in eventually leading some Unionist leaders to a more pragmatic approach to NI’s future…
This day 40 years ago, Northern Ireland’s governance was revolutionised by the Anglo-Irish Agreement – but only now is the gulf between ferocious unionist rhetoric and unseen private compromise emerging. The speed of the unionist U-turn is staggering.
NI’s governance was revolutionised 40 years ago – but only now is gulf between ferocious unionist rhetoric and private compromise emerging
Forty years ago today, Margaret Thatcher and Garret FitzGerald signed an agreement which revolutionised Northern Ireland’s governance and precipitated one of the most dangerous periods of the Troubles...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Forty years on from the Anglo-Irish Agreement, this is a fascinating piece on the private discussions, and for Unionism gear shifts, that followed on from the agreement and which would play a key role in eventually leading some Unionist leaders to a more pragmatic approach to NI’s future…
On Ireland AM this morning, I was ready for questions about what Irish unity might mean for the economy, defence and public services...but wasn't expecting to be told that Fintan O'Toole and I are "a pair of stunners" and "look like a boyband".
Could Ireland Ever Be United? What Would It Really Take?
YouTube video by Ireland AM
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:07 PM
On Ireland AM this morning, I was ready for questions about what Irish unity might mean for the economy, defence and public services...but wasn't expecting to be told that Fintan O'Toole and I are "a pair of stunners" and "look like a boyband".
Paul Givan may be far happier with the Supreme Court ruling on religious education & school collective worship than you'd think. Many people seem not to have read the 40-page judgement; in fact, it hands substantial power to a conservative DUP minister.
Paul Givan may be happier with the Supreme Court’s religious education ruling than he appears
The Supreme Court ruling on how religious education is taught in Northern Ireland’s schools involves a problem for Education Minister Paul Givan, and a significant opportunity.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Paul Givan may be far happier with the Supreme Court ruling on religious education & school collective worship than you'd think. Many people seem not to have read the 40-page judgement; in fact, it hands substantial power to a conservative DUP minister.
In which the very funny Tim McGarry tries to get me to laugh, tries to get me to disclose how I heat my home, derides my alma mater - and demands I tell him if in a united Ireland he'll get bread in a fry. The dangers of agreeing to be interviewed by comedians...
Give My Head Podcast #063. Sam McBride
YouTube video by Give My Head Podcast
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
In which the very funny Tim McGarry tries to get me to laugh, tries to get me to disclose how I heat my home, derides my alma mater - and demands I tell him if in a united Ireland he'll get bread in a fry. The dangers of agreeing to be interviewed by comedians...
The Rathlin experiment: How a tiny island could have a big role in how we live our lives - a case study in why using public funds to help preserve tiny island communities once heading for extinction might be about more than tourism or nostalgia.
The Rathlin experiment: How a tiny island could have a big role in how we live our lives
Situated six miles off Northern Ireland’s northern shore is a success story — and Stormont has had a significant role.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The Rathlin experiment: How a tiny island could have a big role in how we live our lives - a case study in why using public funds to help preserve tiny island communities once heading for extinction might be about more than tourism or nostalgia.
For and Against a United Ireland reviewed by Andy Pollak: "I would make this balanced and scrupulous treatment of the great existential issue of this island required reading for every Irish & Northern Irish sixth year school student and first year undergraduate."
A sharp, clear-eyed look at Irish unity from two of the island’s best journalists…
Fintan O’Toole is the nearest thing Ireland gets to a public intellectual: a writer of erudition and intellect who tackles the political and cultural issues of the day and of the nation through a wide...
sluggerotoole.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:54 PM
For and Against a United Ireland reviewed by Andy Pollak: "I would make this balanced and scrupulous treatment of the great existential issue of this island required reading for every Irish & Northern Irish sixth year school student and first year undergraduate."
This day 40 years ago, Northern Ireland’s governance was revolutionised by the Anglo-Irish Agreement – but only now is the gulf between ferocious unionist rhetoric and unseen private compromise emerging. The speed of the unionist U-turn is staggering.
NI’s governance was revolutionised 40 years ago – but only now is gulf between ferocious unionist rhetoric and private compromise emerging
Forty years ago today, Margaret Thatcher and Garret FitzGerald signed an agreement which revolutionised Northern Ireland’s governance and precipitated one of the most dangerous periods of the Troubles...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
This day 40 years ago, Northern Ireland’s governance was revolutionised by the Anglo-Irish Agreement – but only now is the gulf between ferocious unionist rhetoric and unseen private compromise emerging. The speed of the unionist U-turn is staggering.
This is what the brilliant but brutal @infiniteguff.com believes I resemble: A hairy, grumpy, gloomy, four-fingered preacher of doom. If you've read For & Against a United Ireland & like it, you can vote for (or against) it in the @irishbookawards.bsky.social: www.irishbookawards.ie/nominee/for-...
November 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
This is what the brilliant but brutal @infiniteguff.com believes I resemble: A hairy, grumpy, gloomy, four-fingered preacher of doom. If you've read For & Against a United Ireland & like it, you can vote for (or against) it in the @irishbookawards.bsky.social: www.irishbookawards.ie/nominee/for-...
Reposted by Sam McBride
If you could vote for our book, that’d be lovely thanks.
The book is For and Against a United Ireland by @fotoole.bsky.social and @sjamcbride.bsky.social
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
The book is For and Against a United Ireland by @fotoole.bsky.social and @sjamcbride.bsky.social
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
November 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
If you could vote for our book, that’d be lovely thanks.
The book is For and Against a United Ireland by @fotoole.bsky.social and @sjamcbride.bsky.social
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
The book is For and Against a United Ireland by @fotoole.bsky.social and @sjamcbride.bsky.social
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
‘Delight, and a degree of surprise’: Man tells Nama trial jury of his reaction when Ian Coulter handed him £36,000 cheque in a coffee shop.
‘Delight, and a degree of surprise’: Man tells jury of his reaction when Ian Coulter handed him £36,000 cheque in a coffee shop
A corporate financier who worked for some of Northern Ireland’s biggest property developers has recalled his “delight” when Ian Coulter handed him a cheque for £36,000 while in a coffee shop.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
‘Delight, and a degree of surprise’: Man tells Nama trial jury of his reaction when Ian Coulter handed him £36,000 cheque in a coffee shop.
Careers ended, bereavements and a broken marriage: Wealthy developer who owed £0.5 billion tells Nama trial that allegations have "destroyed" both defendants, who he says are "honourable" men & says Ian Coulter is working with him "as we speak".
Careers ended, bereavements and broken marriage: Wealthy developer tells Nama trial allegations have destroyed defendants
One of Northern Ireland’s biggest property developers has told a jury that the two defendants in the Nama trial are honourable people who have “had their lives destroyed both professionally and person...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Careers ended, bereavements and a broken marriage: Wealthy developer who owed £0.5 billion tells Nama trial that allegations have "destroyed" both defendants, who he says are "honourable" men & says Ian Coulter is working with him "as we speak".
MLAs yesterday thronged the Assembly chamber to shout at each other – but pour out of it for legislative scrutiny. Many MLAs were far more more comfortable in their roles either denouncing or defending Paul Givan than in their main paid job as legislators.
MLAs throng the chamber to shout at each other – and pour out of it for legislative scrutiny
Shouting is easy, but governing is hard. Demanding someone else do something is harder than doing something yourself.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:25 AM
MLAs yesterday thronged the Assembly chamber to shout at each other – but pour out of it for legislative scrutiny. Many MLAs were far more more comfortable in their roles either denouncing or defending Paul Givan than in their main paid job as legislators.
Reposted by Sam McBride
"We've always punched above our weight."
It was great to chat with Fintan O’Toole, co-author alongside Sam McBride of 'For and against a united Ireland'. It's shortlisted for the 2025 @thejournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year.
VOTE OPEN: scxo9qtv33a.typeform.com/apiba25-vote
It was great to chat with Fintan O’Toole, co-author alongside Sam McBride of 'For and against a united Ireland'. It's shortlisted for the 2025 @thejournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year.
VOTE OPEN: scxo9qtv33a.typeform.com/apiba25-vote
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
"We've always punched above our weight."
It was great to chat with Fintan O’Toole, co-author alongside Sam McBride of 'For and against a united Ireland'. It's shortlisted for the 2025 @thejournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year.
VOTE OPEN: scxo9qtv33a.typeform.com/apiba25-vote
It was great to chat with Fintan O’Toole, co-author alongside Sam McBride of 'For and against a united Ireland'. It's shortlisted for the 2025 @thejournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year.
VOTE OPEN: scxo9qtv33a.typeform.com/apiba25-vote
Reposted by Sam McBride
Forty years on from the Anglo-Irish Agreement, our latest #BehindTheHeadlines gathered leading voices in diplomacy, history, and journalism to reflect on its legacy and ongoing relevance.
Read now: www.tcd.ie/trinitylongr...
#HubMatters
Read now: www.tcd.ie/trinitylongr...
#HubMatters
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Forty years on from the Anglo-Irish Agreement, our latest #BehindTheHeadlines gathered leading voices in diplomacy, history, and journalism to reflect on its legacy and ongoing relevance.
Read now: www.tcd.ie/trinitylongr...
#HubMatters
Read now: www.tcd.ie/trinitylongr...
#HubMatters
Frank Cushnahan was told both in person and in writing that he had to declare potential conflicts of interest, Nama’s head of compliance has told the former banker’s trial in Belfast.
Top NI businessman told in writing and to his face that he had to declare interests, Nama official tells trial
Frank Cushnahan was told both in person and in writing that he had to declare potential conflicts of interest, Nama’s head of compliance has told the former banker’s trial in Belfast.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Frank Cushnahan was told both in person and in writing that he had to declare potential conflicts of interest, Nama’s head of compliance has told the former banker’s trial in Belfast.
If you'd like to see me debating a united Ireland with Fintan O'Toole, bringing our book to life on the stage, there are just a few tickets left for the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 30 November.
🎟️Get them here:
🎟️Get them here:
NCH Talks: Fintan O’Toole & Sam McBride: For and against a united Ireland | National Concert Hall
The National Concert Hall is a national cultural institution and the designated home of music in Ireland.
www.nch.ie
November 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
If you'd like to see me debating a united Ireland with Fintan O'Toole, bringing our book to life on the stage, there are just a few tickets left for the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 30 November.
🎟️Get them here:
🎟️Get them here:
A spy, a rebel, a moral medic, and a decades-long quest for a dead foe's bones: From one of the Troubles’ darkest atrocities has come one of its most uplifting acts - an ex-IRA prisoner who has privately laboured to return Robert Nairac to his family.
How one noble act prompted ex-Provo’s quest to find remains of Robert Nairac
For decades, a former IRA man has undertaken a private search for the body of one of the Troubles’ most mythical victims, Robert Nairac.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A spy, a rebel, a moral medic, and a decades-long quest for a dead foe's bones: From one of the Troubles’ darkest atrocities has come one of its most uplifting acts - an ex-IRA prisoner who has privately laboured to return Robert Nairac to his family.
Civil servants & MLAs are gorging on taxpayer-subsidised food while juries go unfed. Ordinary people giving up their time to serve the cause of justice are being treated shabbily in a host of other ways while Naomi Long's officials dance around questions.
Civil servants and MLAs are gorging on taxpayer-subsidised food while at the same time juries are refused so much as a toaster
In Laganside’s court 13, a jury has been sitting intermittently since September. They’re being trusted to hear a complex months-long fraud trial in which their verdict could send two men to jail – but...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Civil servants & MLAs are gorging on taxpayer-subsidised food while juries go unfed. Ordinary people giving up their time to serve the cause of justice are being treated shabbily in a host of other ways while Naomi Long's officials dance around questions.
Talking with former Irish diplomat Rory Montgomery and @fotoole.bsky.social on the @arinsproject.bsky.social about our new book For and Against a United Ireland.
🎧Full podcast episode: t.co/ELXfJv4jZG
📖Get the book here: shop.ria.ie/products/for...
🎧Full podcast episode: t.co/ELXfJv4jZG
📖Get the book here: shop.ria.ie/products/for...
November 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Talking with former Irish diplomat Rory Montgomery and @fotoole.bsky.social on the @arinsproject.bsky.social about our new book For and Against a United Ireland.
🎧Full podcast episode: t.co/ELXfJv4jZG
📖Get the book here: shop.ria.ie/products/for...
🎧Full podcast episode: t.co/ELXfJv4jZG
📖Get the book here: shop.ria.ie/products/for...
Nama’s chief executive has come under pressure to explain why the Republic’s bad bank never reported Frank Cushnahan to the Garda over an alleged £5m payment the Nama boss said was totally inappropriate.
Why didn’t Nama go to Irish police over alleged ‘inappropriate’ Cushnahan £5m, his lawyer asks Nama’s boss
Nama’s chief executive has come under pressure to explain why the Republic’s bad bank never reported Frank Cushnahan to the Garda over an alleged payment he said was totally inappropriate.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Nama’s chief executive has come under pressure to explain why the Republic’s bad bank never reported Frank Cushnahan to the Garda over an alleged £5m payment the Nama boss said was totally inappropriate.
Reposted by Sam McBride
Belfast Telegraph joins The Trust Project as part of drive for media transparency 🤝 tinyurl.com/46vs7547
Here's an explainer from @sjamcbride.bsky.social, Niamh Campbell and Claire Williamson on why we've partnered with @thetrustproject.bsky.social 👇
Here's an explainer from @sjamcbride.bsky.social, Niamh Campbell and Claire Williamson on why we've partnered with @thetrustproject.bsky.social 👇
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Belfast Telegraph joins The Trust Project as part of drive for media transparency 🤝 tinyurl.com/46vs7547
Here's an explainer from @sjamcbride.bsky.social, Niamh Campbell and Claire Williamson on why we've partnered with @thetrustproject.bsky.social 👇
Here's an explainer from @sjamcbride.bsky.social, Niamh Campbell and Claire Williamson on why we've partnered with @thetrustproject.bsky.social 👇
A top Nama figure has told a jury he has no idea what work a law firm did for a huge fee of £15m for the deal in which the Republic’s bad bank sold all its Northern Ireland loans - and he wasn't even told the firm was involved until the deal was done.
Top Nama figure says he has no idea what law firm did for £15m fee at centre of fraud trial — and wasn’t even told it was involved
One of Nama’s most senior figures has said he has no idea what work a law firm did for a success fee of £15m for the deal in which the Republic’s bad bank sold all its Northern Ireland loans.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:48 AM
A top Nama figure has told a jury he has no idea what work a law firm did for a huge fee of £15m for the deal in which the Republic’s bad bank sold all its Northern Ireland loans - and he wasn't even told the firm was involved until the deal was done.