Irish Examiner correspondent to receive OBE award

AFTER a half-century reporting the news, one of Ireland’s most respected journalists is finally making headlines himself.

Irish Examiner London correspondent, Aidan Hennigan, is to receive an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his outstanding services to journalism and Anglo-Irish affairs.

Mr Hennigan will be presented with the prestigious award by Buckingham Palace early in the new year.

A native of Ballina, Co Mayo, Mr Hennigan began his career as a trainee in the Western People newspaper and later worked for the Roscommon Herald before joining the Irish Press staff in Dublin.

He quickly gained senior status and in the early 1960s he was appointed London editor and moved to Britain where his worked spanned one of the most sensitive periods in Anglo-Irish Affairs.

He reported on the bombing attacks in London and other British cities which resulted in the trials and jailing of the Guilford Four, the Birmingham Six, the Maguire Family, Judith Ward and Danny McNamee.

A member of the Press Gallery and Lobby in the House of Commons and the Newspaper Society, he covered the various complex negotiations and bids to seek a settlement in Northern Ireland including the Sunningdale Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement.

When the Irish Press Newspaper Group closed down 10 years ago he became correspondent for the Irish Examiner.

He has also covered sessions of the EU and United Nations, the Vietnam Peace Talks in Paris, and the Election of Richard Nixon as US President.

The veteran newsman said he was delighted with the award but admitted he thought he was getting a tax demand from the Inland Revenue when the solemn envelope arrived.

“I’m very pleased to receive the award for covering some of the most critical and sensitive periods in Anglo-Irish affairs because of all that they meant for the Irish, the British and the large Irish community in this country.

“It was very important to convey all that was happening in a way that made sense to all sides and I’m pleased if this award means I did a good job.”

The OBE was created during World War I by King George V as a way of honouring the contributions of civilians to country and community.