Irish Independent appoints first female editor

The Irish Independent has appointed Claire Grady as its first female editor.

She previously served as a news editor of the paper before becoming opinion editor, executive editor and then editor on the Herald.

It is one of two senior appointments made by Independent News & Media (INM) today. Ian Mallon takes on the new role of Head of News across the Irish Independent, the Sunday Independent and the Herald, and of digital.

"Claire is one of the outstanding journalists of her generation," " INM editor-in-chief Stephen Rae said this evening.

"It's an exciting time for the company and today's two appointments will ensure that the Independent's trusted brand of journalism continues seamlessly on all our platforms," he added.