INM announces Sheahan and Bourke as editors

Former Irish Examiner political correspondent Fionnan Sheahan has been appointed as editor of the Irish Independent.

Mr Sheahan, who worked with the Irish Examiner as a news and political reporter for six years, takes up the role of editor having spent the last year as Independent News and Media (INM) group political editor.

Cormac Bourke, who moves from his role as executive editor of the Irish Independent, has been appointed to the role of editor of the Sunday Independent.

INM said both individuals would assume their new roles immediately and report to INM editor-in-chief Stephen Rae.

Mr Sheahan replaces Claire Grady, who unexpectedly stepped down as editor in August having spent 12 months in the role.

As group political reporter, Mr Sheahan had responsibility for political coverage across the group’s range of titles including the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, and Herald. The Tipperary native joined the Irish Independent as a political correspondent from the Irish Examiner in 2005.

He has covered a number of important political events for INM, including the 2011 presidential election.

Meanwhile, Mr Bourke replaces Anne Harris who vacated the role as editor of the Sunday title in December. He has worked across a number of titles in his career including the Irish Daily Star and Irish Mail on Sunday .