Kennedy appointment makes history
Ms Kennedy was also the first Irish staff journalist to become an elected representative and later return to political journalism. She was a Progressive Democrat TD for Dun Laoghaire from February 1987 until her defeat in the general election of June 1989.
Ms Kennedy, 51, has worked with the Irish Times since 1990 and was most recently political editor of that newspaper. She began her journalism career with Examiner Publications in Cork before going on to become Ireland’s first female political corespondent with The Sunday Tribune.
She later worked as political correspondent with the now defunct Sunday Press from 1982 to 1987. It was during this period that she, along with Irish Independent journalist, Bruce Arnold, successfully sued the State for invasion of privacy after their phones were tapped.
The High Court ruled the phone tapping was unconstitutional and an abuse of power by the State. The phone taps were placed on foot of a warrant signed by Justice Minister Sean Doherty at the height of a particularly controversial period in Irish politics with Fianna Fáil leadership heaves against Charles Haughey.
Ms Kennedy left journalism for a time and on February 2, 1987, she was among 14 Progressive Democrat TDs elected after she polled 5,228 first preferences in the five-seat constituency of Dun Laoghaire. In the subsequent election of June 1989, she polled just 500 votes less but did not retain her seat.
Ms Kennedy returned to journalism as public affairs correspondent of The Irish Times, becoming a political correspondent soon after. She is a native of Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary and was educated at the Sacred Heart Convent at Ferrybank, Waterford and at Rathmines College of Commerce.
Ms Kennedy is married to David Hegarty, a well-known barrister and they have two daughters. Her appointment includes a seat on the board of The Irish Times. She succeeds outgoing editor, Conor Brady, who held the post since 1986. Other contenders for the job included business editor, Cliff Taylor and columnist Fintan O’Toole.
