Two Irish Examiner journalists awarded merit certificates at Justice Media Awards

A total of 400 entries were received for the Justice Media Awards. Picture: File

Two journalists from the Irish Examiner received merit certificates at the Law Society of Ireland's 2024 Justice Media Awards on Thursday afternoon.

In the 'Human Rights/Social Justice Reporting (Print/Online)' category, Ann Murphy was awarded a merit certificate for work outlining the inadequacies of mental healthcare for children in care.

For her piece, Ann spoke to the grandfather and mother of a child who went missing from State care numerous times, and was subsequently located.

Ann Murphy was awarded a merit certificate in the 'Human Rights/Social Justice Reporting (Print/Online)' category. File picture: Denis Minihane

The teenager is one of around 300 children a year who go missing from State care, a figure which prompted her grandfather to question whether the State is meeting its obligations to children under both Irish and international law.

The Justice Media Awards judges said the piece highlighted “a significant gap in our services for children in Tusla”.

“It was journalism that drove action and prompted further research in the area,” the judges said.

The second merit certificate was awarded to Jack White in the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ category for his reporting with the Irish Examiner “on an important range of public interest stories, all while keeping the victims’ voices front and centre”. Jack now works with the Irish Times.

Thursday’s event, which is held annually by the Law Society of Ireland, saw awards handed out across 15 categories covering online, print, and broadcast media.

Jack White earned a merit certificate in the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ category. Picture: Moya Nolan

The awards aim to promote the highest standards in legal journalism, to foster greater public understanding of the law, the legal system, or access to justice issues, to inform and educate the public as to the roles in society of the law, the courts, law-enforcement agencies, and the legal profession, to disclose practices or procedures needing reform to encourage the development and modernisation of Irish laws, courts, and law enforcement agencies, and/or to assist the legal profession, the judiciary, and all others involved in the administration of justice in attaining the highest professional standards.

Among the key topics covered by award-winners were the Ashling Murphy murder trial, public interest investigative journalism, court delays, and law-reform issues.

“For over 30 years the Law Society has celebrated the best in legal journalism. We have immense pride in the Justice Media Awards and what they stand for,” said Law Society of Ireland president Barry MacCarthy.

We are honoured to support journalism that promotes a greater public understanding of the law and our rights, legal literacy, and the legal system.

Mr McCarthy said that the awards have been growing each year, and that 400 entries were submitted for this year’s event.

“I would like to congratulate each of today’s winners, from seasoned national and local reporters, podcasters, broadcasters, newcomers, and students. The winning entries were recognised for accurate legal content, relevance to the law, accessibility, and storytelling,” he said.

“The strength of the Justice Media Awards is only as good as its entrants. The Law Society is encouraged to see the standard and talent in Irish legal journalism continuing to expand.”