Explore every episode of the podcast The State of Us
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. The new legal battle lines | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:13:39 | |
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. | |||
| 5. Was the law broken? | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:14:35 | |
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? | |||
| 4. Rules v Reality | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:16:35 | |
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. | |||
| 3. Inside the court battle | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:15:24 | |
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. | |||
| 21. Victims face Donaldson | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:11:13 | |
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. | |||
| 2. Drumcree Now | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:17:50 | |
The Parades Commission has given the Garvaghy Road march the go ahead after 28 years. We explore the arguments that tipped the scale. | |||
| 1. Drumcree Then | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:15:10 | |
How did the Drumcree dispute bring Northern Ireland to a standstill? Tara Mills and Declan Harvey explain how it all began. | |||
| 20. Jeffrey and Eleanor to appeal | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:10:48 | |
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. | |||
| 80. The verdict explained | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:28:00 | |
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. | |||
| 79. Second juror removed | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:04:45 | |
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. | |||
| 78. The inquest returns | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:15:47 | |
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. | |||
| 4. The verdict | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:10:40 | |
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. | |||
| 3. The Sunday meeting | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:18:52 | |
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. | |||
| 2. ‘Oh no, who sent that?' | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:20:46 | |
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. | |||
| 1. The deleted emails | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:09:13 | |
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. | |||
| 77. Shock adjournment | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:11:06 | |
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. | |||
| 76. Jury out | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:04:30 | |
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. | |||
| 74. Jury findings restricted | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:13:32 | |
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. | |||
| 75. Final words to the jury | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:17:04 | |
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. | |||
| 19. The verdict | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:27:10 | |
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. | |||
| 18. Jury still deciding | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:01:08 | |
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. | |||
| 17. Jury considers verdict | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:12:35 | |
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. | |||
| 73. What we'll never know | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:15:25 | |
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. | |||
| 16. Final arguments Part 2 | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:11:11 | |
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.” | |||
| 72. Police apology | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:21:21 | |
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. | |||
| 15. Final arguments | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:22:09 | |
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 | |||
| 71. The final witness | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:10:50 | |
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. | |||
| 14. The defence closes its case | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:03:06 | |
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. | |||
| 70. Tracing phone movements | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:11:39 | |
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. | |||
| 13. 'Sinful and deceitful' | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:12:54 | |
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 | |||
| 69. Tracking down Jordan Peterson. | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:16:46 | |
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. | |||
| 12. Jeffrey in the witness box. | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:15:23 | |
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 | |||
| 68.Questions not asked. | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:10:13 | |
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. | |||
| 67. Psychiatrists ‘can’t explain it’. | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:12:38 | |
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. | |||
| 11.Eleanor's police interview | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:17:58 | |
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 | |||
| 66.Did Noah have a psychotic episode? | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:13:45 | |
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. | |||
| 10.Jeffrey's police interview | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:13:50 | |
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 | |||
| 9. Court told Eleanor ‘still loved’ Jeffrey | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:15:54 | |
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 | |||
| 8. Jeffrey's WhatsApp message | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:08:22 | |
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 | |||
| 65. The Last Photo | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:09:33 | |
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. | |||
| 64. Noah's final journey | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:12:35 | |
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. | |||
| 7. Tearful witness blames herself. | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:13:55 | |
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 | |||
| 6. Rape allegations | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:12:39 | |
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. One of the two women accusing Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of sexual assault told Newry Crown Court he raped her when she was of primary school age. WARNING : Contains explicit detail that some listeners may find distressing. Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website | |||
| 5. Woman told she’s ‘making up’ abuse | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:11:24 | |
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. One of the two women accusing Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of child abuse was challenged by Eleanor Donaldson’s defence team, saying she was making up the incidents – or had dreamt them. WARNING : Contains distressing content Find more on this story at the BBC News NI website. | |||
| 63. Is key expert impartial? | 29 May 2026 | 00:11:01 | |
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 key Department for Infrastructure witness was challenged by the Donohoe family’s barrister. | |||
| 4. Eleanor accused of seeing abuse | 29 May 2026 | 00:07:48 | |
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 hears claims that she witnessed her husband’s alleged abuse but did nothing to stop it. WARNING: Contains distressing content Find more on this story at bbc.co.uk/news/northern Ireland or the BBC News NI website | |||
| 3. Letter of 'regret' | 28 May 2026 | 00:07:08 | |
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 is told Sir Jeffrey Donaldson wrote a letter to one of the two alleged victims expressing ‘regret’. WARNING: Contains distressing content For more on this story go to the BBC News NI website. | |||
| 62. Tunnel ‘not seriously dangerous’ | 28 May 2026 | 00:11:51 | |
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. An expert employed by the Department for Infrastructure tells the inquest he wouldn’t go as far as saying the tunnel where Noah died was ‘seriously dangerous’. | |||
| 2. The Prosecution’s case | 27 May 2026 | 00:11:15 | |
A special series from The State of Us podcast. Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. Today the Prosecution set out their case. WARNING : Contains distressing content – For more on this story check out bbc.co.uk/news/northern Ireland or the BBC News NI website | |||
| 61. Bodycam footage lost | 27 May 2026 | 00:09:27 | |
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 detective who stayed on Noah Donohoe’s case for a few years said he wasn’t aware of a number of pieces of evidence. | |||