PICTURES: UL journalism students highlight importance of real-life issues in Limerick Voice

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Pictures by Alan Place 

UNIVERSITY of Limerick students’ award-winning newspaper - full of stories that matter to the Limerick community - hits the streets with today’s Leader.

The 18th edition of the Limerick Voice newspaper has been published this Wednesday, February 19, with 22 students writing over 50 stories covering news, sport and features.

This year’s edition features several exclusive reports written by the journalism students, including a front-page story by Anne Marie Roberts about the exploitation by criminal gangs of children as young as eight to deliver drugs.

The publication highlights the importance of campaign journalism. Limerick Voice stood in solidarity with the family of the late Joe Drennan at a vigil organised in UL in support of the #JusticeforJoe campaign.

As a result - and in the wake of public scrutiny over sentencing in Ireland - Limerick Voice reporters Emma McCarthy and Ailish Armstrong speak to former Limerick State solicitor Michael Murray, where he also calls for more clarity on consecutive sentencing.

Speaking about this year’s edition, which is available free with this weekend’s Limerick Leader, Limerick Voice managing editor Jack McKay said: “This year’s edition of Limerick Voice newspaper accentuates the power of campaign journalism with hard-hitting stories that matter to the Limerick community.

“We did this through our mission statement, Your Voice, Our Mission. Our reporters have highlighted important social issues through investigative journalism, crime, and features focusing on voices that deserve to be heard.

“The dedication of our journalism students working across all of our digital platforms is beyond professional, with many breaking stories in sports and news on Limerick Voice website, including Leah Hogarty’s report confirming the DPP’s appeal in the sentencing case of the man responsible for Joe Drennan’s death.”

The sports section of the newspaper celebrates the passion, resilience, and diversity of sports in Limerick city including Limerick hurler, Cathal O’ Neill’s promotion of the Irish language, the challenges of securing State funding for smaller sports, and the work of Treaty United in raising the profile of women’s football in Limerick.

Speaking about the sports section, John O’ Donnell, sports editor, said: “We had the privilege of sitting down with local sporting heroes, who shared their triumphs and the struggles they’ve faced.

“I hope people enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.”

Many unheard voices in sports are also featured in this year’s edition, including those from an LGBTQ+ rugby club, two top-tier basketball clubs, a growing social run group, and a GAA club in Asia.

The multimedia Limerick Voice news project involved 22 final-year journalism students from UL who have been working on the project since September 2024.

UL lecturer and course director for the BA in Journalism and Communication programme, Dr Kathryn Hayes, who oversees the project each year, said it provides vital real-life skills and experience for journalism students.

“A newspaper publication and digital news project like Limerick Voice is more than just an assignment - it’s a real-world newsroom experience that challenges final-year journalism students to think critically, report responsibly, and engage their audience with impactful storytelling and particularly the importance of campaign journalism,” she said.

“This year’s students have really delivered working on a multimedia news platform which allows them to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional journalism.

“We’re really proud of this year’s edition and I know that the students will leave our course well prepared for the fast-evolving media landscape.”