'Irish Examiner' reporters win at Justice Media Awards 

Cormac O’Keeffe received a Justice Media Award in the Print-Online Journalism (feature) category, Liz Dunphy received a Certificate of Merit, and Alison O’Reilly received a Justice Media Award in the Human Rights/Social Justice Reporting (print/online) category at the Law Society of Ireland Justice Media Awards. Picture: Jason Clarke

Three Irish Examiner reporters have been recognised at the Law Society of Ireland Justice Media Awards, which attracted a record 674 entries across multiple categories.

Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe topped the print/online journalism (feature) category for his reporting on the deportation system. The story 'Inside Ireland’s deportation system' was praised for showing "justice in action". 

The judges noted that "it put a human face to an emotive issue” as well as highlighting legal processes. 

The judges also commented on the “noteworthy accompanying visuals” from Irish Examiner photographer Chani Anderson.

Alison O’Reilly topped the human rights/social justice reporting category for her coverage of the burial site at the former Tuam mother and baby home.

Stories under the title “the 11-year investigation that led to Ireland's first ever mass exhumation” were praised as “an exceptional long-running series”.

The judges said Ms O'Reilly showed “sensitivity, commitment, professionalism” with public service journalism, “reporting on a human rights issue that shook the country". 

Southern Correspondent Liz Dunphy was awarded a merit certificate in the category for her work on the migrant crisis.

The judges praised her work for amplifying “the voices of those suffering at the edges of society” at a time when people can be numb to migrant crisis stories. They also said Ms Dunphy highlighted policies which impact migrant lives.

The 'Irish Examiner' team at the Law Society of Ireland Justice Media Awards. Picture: Jason Clarke

John O’Mahony, Group Editor for the Irish Examiner and The Echo, said: “It’s important to recognise journalists and journalism that makes a difference. It shouldn’t be taken for granted. It takes time, dedication, skill and resources.

“The Irish Examiner has consistently shown its willingness to support and encourage our journalists to challenge, change, and strive for better and that determination is needed now more than ever.”

More than 150 journalists gathered at the Law Society of Ireland on Thursday for the annual awards. 

The top award went to RTÉ Radio 1 for the podcast series First Conviction, which followed the investigation of a couple imprisoned for a crime against their child that never happened.

Other topics covered included coercive control, domestic violence, the Satchwell murder case, AI and data centres, and the DJ Carey case.

Law society president Rosemarie Loftus congratulated the winners and finalists.

“The Law Society Justice Media Awards continue to demonstrate the vital role journalism plays in helping the public understand the law, the courts, and the issues that shape our society," she said.