Fine Gael TDs 'surprised' at appointment of journalist as deputy government press secretary

Sources within Fine Gael said there was some belief within the party that political journalist Hugh O'Connell's interview with the man at the centre of the John McGahon controversy had harmed the party's election campaign

Long-serving political journalist Hugh O'Connell is to join Simon Harris's team as deputy government press secretary this week.

Some in Fine Gael are said to be "surprised" at the appointment of a journalist whose work they see as contributing to some of its electoral woes last year.

Long-serving political journalist Hugh O'Connell is to join Simon Harris's team as deputy government press secretary this week.

While Mr O'Connell's appointment is being seen as something of a coup within government circles, some within Fine Gael have voiced unease. Sources said there was some belief within the party that Mr O'Connell's interview with the man at the centre of the John McGahon controversy had harmed the party's election campaign.

Mr McGahon was acquitted in 2022 of assaulting Breen White outside a Dundalk nightclub in 2018, but the outgoing Fine Gael senator was found to be 65% civilly liable by a High Court jury.

In the early days of the election, Mr O'Connell interviewed Mr White and the Sunday Times published photos of his injuries.

Footage circulating on social media shows Mr McGahon on top of Mr White, striking him a number of times as two men intervene to stop the Fine Gael senator.

Mr McGahon did not win a seat in the Louth constituency, with Paula Butterly taking a seat for Fine Gael.

Within Fine Gael on Wednesday, some members who had supported the Louth senator said they were "surprised" at Mr O'Connell's appointment, specifically citing his reporting on Mr McGahon.

Mr O'Connell had been the political editor of the Sunday Times, having previously served as deputy political editor of Mediahuis group, political correspondent at the Business Post and political editor of TheJournal.ie.

He is the co-author of the book Pandemonium, which told the story of the State's response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Under the coalition arrangement, the party which holds the Taoiseach's office also holds the government press secretary's role, while the other party has its own spokesperson who takes on a deputy's role. Fianna Fáil's return to the Taoiseach's office will see former editor of the Sun newspaper in London Paul Clarkson return to the role.

Mr O'Connell will take up the role being vacated by former Newstalk and UTV Ireland presenter Chris Donoghue, who had moved into political circles to work for former foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney in 2017. It is understood Mr Donoghue is stepping away from the role for personal reasons. 

There is expected to be other movements with Simon Harris's internal team, which features a number of former journalists, including his chief of staff Sarah Bardon and deputy government press secretary Ciara Phelan. 

Former Irish Independent political correspondent Niall O'Connor was a member of Mr Harris's team through the election, having been a special adviser to former social protection minister Heather Humphreys.