Two nominations for Limerick Leader/Limerick Live reporter in Law Society’s Justice Media Awards

LIMERICK Leader/ Limerick Live reporter Donal O'Regan has seen two of his journalistic works shortlisted for the Law Society of Ireland Justice Media Awards.

The awards received a record-breaking 495 entries across 16 award categories. In total, 140 entries were shortlisted.

“The Justice Media Awards recognise outstanding print, broadcast and online journalism that contributes to the public’s understanding of justice, the legal system, and access to justice issues.

“Each shortlisted entry has been recognised for showcasing these key criteria and is now in with a chance of winning at the Justice Media Awards ceremony at the Law Society on Wednesday, June 25,” said a spokesperson.

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Mr O'Regan's two entries - Beautiful Boy, and This is not Justice - were chosen in the Print/Online Journalism (local) category for "outstanding legal journalism published in local newspapers or on local news websites". Each of the awards' entries included a series of articles.

The title of the entry Beautiful Boy was a nod to the John Lennon song played at the start of the funeral of UL Journalism student Joe Drennan, who was killed in a hit-and-run in Castletroy.

The coverage in the Leader and on Limerick Live commenced when Joe’s killer - Kieran Fogarty - was first charged for gangland offences at a special court sitting in Newcastle West. The dangerous driving causing death charge came later. 

It was the first of many court appearances for Fogarty that Mr O’Regan covered, culminating in the sentencing hearing and then weeks later, the judgement that made local and national headlines.

The family expressed their disgust that Fogarty “wouldn’t serve a day for killing our Joe" due to the concurrent sentencing that was imposed.

Mr O’Regan wrote stories on the petition, protests and calls on the DPP to appeal the sentence. He broke the story that a threatening letter was sent to the judge in the case. The DPP have since confirmed they are appealing the sentence.

The second shortlisted piece is This is not Justice.

There are few in Ireland who don’t know the name Natasha O’Brien but would they if the case wasn’t covered on a Wednesday last June?

A then serving soldier Cathal Crotty received a suspended sentence for assaulting Ms O’Brien.

"Two to put her down. Two to put her out," he had bragged to friends. 

Outside the court, a video of Natasha was recorded in which she said: “This is not justice." 

In the following days, Mr O’Regan revealed the first photo of her injuries. He followed up with an interview with Ms O'Brien who revealed at one point she thought "Why bother going on?”. 

Protests that drew thousands, the public backlash against the presiding judge, as well as Crotty’s own solicitor Sarah Ryan standing up for the judge were covered in the coverage.

Mr O’Regan also exclusively broke the story that a threatening letter was sent to the home of Crotty.

Reporter Chris McNulty of the Donegal Democrat - sister newspaper of the Limerick Leader - has also been nominated for his entry The time to justice in the same category.