Journalists in running for awards

Three Irish Examiner journalists are in the running for prestigious prizes at the National Newspapers of Ireland annual awards.

The awards, which are designed to reward high standards in the media, attracted more than 600 nominations for work published in the past year.

Among those shortlisted were Irish Examiner business editor Conor Keane, sports writer Ewan McKenna, and political reporter Juno McEnroe.

During the year Mr McEnroe revealed that Environment Minister Phil Hogan had granted disgraced TD Michael Lowry a meeting just days after the damning findings of the Moriarty Tribunal were unveiled.

He also broke stories including that the State was to slash the exceptional needs payments for Communion and Confirmation to thousands of struggling families.

Mr Keane, who was previously named business journalist of the year in 2004, revealed the mishandling of payment protection insurance by financial institutions and the details of Ireland’s first commercial oil discovery.

Mr McKenna has received praise for his in-depth sporting interviews and is among six shortlisted in his category.

Shortlisted for the overall journalist of the year award are Mary Fitzgerald of The Irish Times, Michael O’Farrell of the Irish Mail on Sunday, and the team of reporters who covered the presidential election for the Irish Independent.

Chairman of the judging panel Michael Brophy said the standard of application had been very high.

“The response this year has been overwhelming and I would like to thank my fellow jury members who worked so hard and diligently to narrow it down from more than 600 entries to just 77 nominations,” he said.

The awards ceremony will take place on Oct 24 at Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel. Guest of honour is the Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly.

The NNI chairman Matt Dempsey said the occasion gave the industry an opportunity to recognise good journalism.