Irish Examiner journalists scoop justice media awards
The newspaper’s Cormac O’Keeffe was the overall award winner for his three-part series, Inside Ireland’s Prisons.
At last night’s awards ceremony in Dublin, the judges said Cormac’s excellent and thought-provoking series set out the facts on the prison system, looking at issues of overcrowding, protection, violence, contraband-smuggling and high committal numbers.
His series included a look at a typical day in Wheatfield Prison, placing the spotlight on several of its inmates who agreed to be interviewed.
He also looked at alternative solutions to prison, presenting less costly options for the State and more successful outcomes for prisoner rehabilitation.
The Irish Examiner’s Conor Ryan was awarded a certificate of merit for his article, Rape — Public Attitudes — national survey.
Judges said they were very impressed with the series which focused on public attitudes to rape, inspired by a specially commissioned national survey by the Irish Examiner.
One of the startling facts that emerged was that female-dominated juries don’t convict in Irish rape cases.
His colleague Vickie Maye also won a certificate of merit award for The Irish Intern Who Never Gave Up.
It was the story of Walter Swift, released after 26 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and whose release was obtained through the determination of Irish solicitor, Niamh Gunn
The judges said Vickie’s writing style brought to life the personalities of all those involved.
Irish Examiner photographer Denis Minihane scooped the best legal news photo of the year prize for the pictures he took of Walter Smith.
When Walter visited Ireland, Denis took photographs of him at Cork City Gaol.
The judges said his superb images added depth, understanding and insight to Walter’s character.
