Limerick Leader / Limerick Live scores three nominations in Local Ireland Media Awards

NOMINATIONS for this year’s Local Ireland Media Awards have been announced following a record number of entries, with the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live shortlisted for three awards.

The categories in which the Leader has been nominated include Best News Story, Political Coverage of the Year, and Best Use of Digital. 

Reporter Donal O’Regan has been nominated in the category of Best News Story. 

The article, headlined ‘Driver ignored mother’s plea to hand himself in after killing man’ was a court case covered by Mr O’Regan which outlined how Kieran Fogarty, then aged 19, killed University of Limerick journalism student Joe Drennan through his dangerous driving. 

Fogarty, aged 21, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston pleaded guilty to a number of offences including dangerous driving causing death and failing to offer assistance at the scene. 

Mr O’Regan outlined how despite pleas from his mother, Fogarty said he would not hand himself in.

“What do you want me to do, go up to the Barracks and say I killed someone stone dead on the road and I don’t even think they know it was me,” said Fogarty, who has a total of 46 previous convictions including five dangerous driving.

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The Limerick Leader / Limerick Live team’s coverage of the two elections in 2024 earned nominations in two award categories  - Political Coverage of the Year, and Best Use of Digital.

The entry in the Political Coverage of the Year category highlighted the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live team's comprehensive reporting of last November’s General Election.

The coverage featured a pre-election supplement, a live blog from the count centre at Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell, with engaging, rolling updates on tallies and results from both Limerick constituencies. The print editions also included detailed box-by-box figures and in-depth analysis.

The nomination in the Best Use of Digital category recognises the team’s coverage of the June 2024 local elections - a historic milestone for Limerick as it marked the election of the state’s first directly elected mayor.

The team produced an insightful pre-election supplement and provided a comprehensive, rolling blog from the count centre, which amassed 665 entries by the team on the ground over the course of the count. In-depth analysis and a box-by-box breakdown of how the people of Limerick voted were also featured in the print editions.

More than 700 entries were made for this year’s awards which introduced two new categories for Political Coverage of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year.

In total, Iconic Media Group - the parent company of the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live - has received eleven nominations.

The awards are now in their tenth year with its headline sponsors the National Lottery on board for the eighth time. This year’s awards have also received support from Coimisiún na Meán.

President of Local Ireland and Managing Director of the Southern Star Seán Mahon said: “This year's Local Ireland Media Awards have seen record entries again from talented journalist, digital and commercial local newspaper personnel across Ireland, which just goes to show how people in our industry view the prestige associated with winning a category. I don't envy our judges who have a challenging job deciding on the winners due to the high quality of entries. 

“I'd also like to thank the National Lottery for their continued support of these awards. Working together is a great fit because both the National Lottery and all our local newspaper members are passionate about supporting local communities.”

Mr Mahon is pictured below with Media Development Manager for Coimisiún na Meán Mairéad Nic Gabhann, Judges’ Chair Alison O’Connor and National Lottery Head of Corporate Affairs Jennifer Crowe

The National Lottery has its own special category for Community Journalist of the Year.

Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs for the National Lottery, said: “The stories shortlisted for this year’s National Lottery category are a testament to the strength and spirit of communities across Ireland.

“Through the lens of local journalism, we see the heart of our society, people coming together, overcoming challenges, and making a difference. It’s an honour to help recognise these powerful community stories.”

Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó’Domnhaill said: “Coimisiún na Meán prioritises the availability of high-quality journalism and we are delighted to support the upcoming Local Ireland Media Awards, to recognise the talent and commitment of local newspapers and their work supporting and informing local communities.

“We believe access to good quality and trustworthy news for all citizens is critical for a well-functioning society and so far, our journalism schemes have funded almost €2.2 million to Local Ireland members across the country. Coimisiún na Meán will continue to support the sector with the announcement of further journalism schemes later this year.”

Nineteen categories reflecting the best of journalism, photography, design, digital initiatives and sales creativity are part of the judging process. A special award for Lifetime Achievement is also made on behalf of the members of Local Ireland.

Chair of the judges, author, journalist and broadcaster Alison O’Connor said: “These awards highlight the excellence and diversity of local journalism. Picking winners in the different categories is always a challenging task for the judges - from the sharpness of the news stories to the well-crafted features, interviews and columns. All told, the standard shows how well communities around the country are served by their local newspapers.”

Joining Ms O’Connor on the judging panel are broadcaster and journalist Dearbhail McDonald, Emeritus Professor at TUD Michael Foley, Dawn Wheatley of DCU School of Communications, Managing Director of Kinetic Ireland Andrew Sinclair, photographer and former Irish Times Picture Editor Frank Miller, broadcaster and writer Valerie Cox, journalist and author PJ Cunningham, novelist and newspaper columnist Dr Martina Devlin, Policy Editor of the Business Post Daniel Murray, RTÉ journalist and presenter Katie Hannon, Deputy Night Editor of the Irish Sun Gerry McCarthy and DCU lecturer Conor Tiernan.

Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Mullingar Park Hotel on September 11. Host for the evening will be RTÉ and Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan.

LOCAL IRELAND MEDIA AWARDS 

NOMINATIONS 2025 

Columnist of the Year 

Aílín Quinlan The Echo Speeders, louts and litterbugs on our roads Darren Hassett The Nationalist (Clonmel) I’m afraid to write this column Fr Liam Power Waterford News and Star Church must reassess formation programmes Paul Hopkins The Meath Chronicle Why we need to talk about growing older 

Feature Journalist of the Year 

Louise Doyle Donegal News Where is the pathway to care? 

Owen Ryan Clare Champion A tragedy waiting to happen 

Seamus Enright Anglo-Celt Tainted Kilnacrott heads in a new direction Maria O’Rourke The Nationalist (Carlow) Living Over the Shop 

Best Photograph 

Gerry Shanahan Meath Chronicle Ben Hurl 

John Kelly Clare Champion Storm Ashley 

Ray Ryan Tuam Herald Raising the bar 

Alex Coleman The Anglo-Celt A new adventure begins 

Best Use of Photography 

Connaught Telegraph Lawless and Keogh take Mayo Politics by storm Mayo News Thirteenth Sea2Summit in Westport 

Meath Chronicle Star Attraction 

The Nationalist (Clonmel) Máirín Reaches New Heights

Young Journalist of the Year 

Darragh Murphy Waterford News and Star Have you donated to the house of horrors? Robert Kindregan Westmeath Examiner Bláthnaid Raleigh avoided Mullingar for years Amy Campbell The Echo Anti-social acts on trains 

Hannah Cahill Leinster Express Why are young people in Laois leaving? 

Best Supplement 

Where West Connacht Tribune/Clare Champion 

Pride of the Déise Waterford News and Star 

All Ireland Hurling Champions Clare Champion 

Taking Over Paris Southern Star 

Best News Series 

The Echo Donal O’Keeffe Cork City Council ‘failing most vulnerable tenants’ Meath Chronicle. Gavan Becton and Ann Casey Tara Mines return to work.  Clare Champion Dan Danaher Country Girl Comes Home 

Galway City Tribune. Denise McNamara Sitting in traffic for ‘four days a year’ 

Sports Journalist of the Year 

Anthony Bravender Dundalk Democrat 

Owen Ryan Clare Champion 

Ryan Ferry Donegal News 

Ian Cooney Roscommon Herald 

Political Coverage of the Year 

Limerick Leader  

The Clare Champion 

The Anglo-Celt 

The Southern Star

Best Sustainability Journalist 

Kate Ryan The Echo Food Sustainability in practice 

Damien McCarney Anglo-Celt Farming sustainability 

Dara Bradley Connacht Tribune Fish Farm Escape 

Sally Harding Meath Chronicle Mornington Dunes 

Best Local Advertisement 

Meath Chronicle John Lynch Carpets 

Munster Express Garden Morris Estate 

Connacht Tribune Galway Bay Resort 

Westmeath Independent Petstop Opening PAWTY 

Best Advertising Campaign 

Connacht Tribune The Lodge at Ashford Castle 

The Anglo-Celt Farnham Estate 

Roscommon Herald The Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygenation 

Westmeath Examiner Expert Mullingar – Step into Spring Savings 

Best News Story 

Owen Ryan The Clare Champion ‘Take those tablets and you will die’ 

Donal O’Regan Limerick Leader Driver ignored mother’s plea to hand himself in after killing man  Louise Doyle Donegal News Council spend €25,000 on ‘watching brief” 

Darragh Murphy Waterford News and Star Have you donated to the house of horrors’? 

Best Use of Digital 

Southern Star Olympics coverage 

Offaly Live Cherish the Moment 

Limerick Leader Local elections coverage 

Nenagh Guardian Anna Powell videos 

Best Innovation 

Southern Star Use of QR codes 

Lives Remembered Meath Chronicle 

Southern Star Email newsletters 

Connaught Telegraph Business Supplements Series 

Best Diversity Journalist 

Navjyoti Dalal Westmeath Independent Home is Where the Hearth Is 

Patrick Flaherty Tuam Herald Overcoming adversity to make it in the music world 

Elizabeth Garner and Jim Hynes Connacht Tribune People power helps to keep Ukrainians in the  community 

Andrew Hamilton Clare Champion Is it safe to be gay in Clare? 

National Lottery Community Journalist of the Year 

Linda Spillane Miles for Mimi Munster Express 

Sally Harding and Gavan Becton Meath Chronicle Monster Tractor Run 

Siobhán Holliman Tuam Herald Milltown museum a leading light 

Sharon Dolan D’Arcy Clare Champion Sensory garden in full bloom 

Best Headline 

Southern Star Mná-some 

Laois Nationalist Stanley Knifed 

Connacht Tribune Gaillimh Ogbú! 

Tipperary Star Bullet of a shot

Best Front Page 

Connaught Telegraph Lawless and Keogh take Mayo politics by storm Meath Chronicle Death of a Statesman 

Dundalk Democrat ‘Wee’ are the champions! 

Connacht Tribune Bringing water to an island