Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THEJOURNAL.IE has become the first online-only publication to receive a prestigious journalism award for its service to reporting on issues of justice and law.
Christina Finn was given a Justice Media Award this afternoon for her focus on the daily struggles and little-heard stories of those moving through the family courts. Her report entitled “My daughter is my life”: Mother pleads with judge to return child from care was singled out in the digital court reporting category as a “strong example of insightful and responsible legal journalism in a challenging area of law”.
The judges noted: “Family law cases are difficult to report, but it is of paramount importance that the public has a good understanding of what happens in family court.
“This piece, highlighting the role mental health issues all too often play in child care cases, and detailing the roles of the various organisations in such proceedings, contributes greatly to increasing the public’s understanding of family law – a key raison d’etre of the Justice Media Awards.”
Aoife Barry’s investigation into the difficult world of guardianship and parenting post a relationship breakup won her a special certificate of merit in the digital features category.
The piece – which picked up on a public debate sparked by a storyline in TV3 soap Red Rock – can be read here (This drama is shedding light on a big challenge unmarried parents face).
It was praised by judges today for its ”imaginative and sensitive approach”. They added:
“Taking a storyline from a popular Irish TV soap, about a couple splitting up after having a child, interviewing in depth the lawyer consulted by the programme and shining a light on the legal issues surrounding parenting and guardianship following the breakdown of a relationship, this reporter presented a complex and intimidating part of the legal system, clearly, precisely and in a very relatable way.”
The work of court reporter Alison O’Riordan on the Mark Nash trial, as published on TheJournal.ie, was also singled out for a certificate of merit. The only reporter to sit through the entirety of the three-month trial bore witness to a case that brought justice for the killings of two vulnerable women in their beds in sheltered accommodation.
She “carefully balanced a faithful re-telling of the courtroom proceedings with sensitivity and decency” and displayed “skill and commitment to quality court reporting”.
This is the 25th year of the Justice Media Awards, set up to reward and encourage excellence in legal journalism and journalism that helps inform and educate the public on issues of justice and law. This year also attracted the highest-ever number of entrants.
TheJournal.ie editor Susan Daly said:
“We are delighted to have our reporters’ insightful and diligent work recognised by the Law Society of Ireland. The area of law and justice can be an impenetrable one to the Irish public – we will continue investing in journalism that brings clarity to our audience on those issues and decisions which reach beyond a courtroom and impact on their daily life.”
Winners at today’s Justice Media Awards came from print, broadcast and online outlets, including these other main winners:
The overall winner award, awarded to one of all of the category winners, was given to Frank Shouldice and Liam O’Brien for that radio documentary on a Polishman called Bogdan Chain who had been working in Ireland and a court case bearing his name without his knowledge or consent.
The investigative piece was described as “absolutely brilliant” by the judges and “has had a serious impact in triggering examination of the questionable legal procedures that allowed the bogus case to get so far, with potential consequences for all EU citizens”.
Well Done
Well done. I remember reading a few of the articles and they were very interesting as the family court tends to be a great unknown for the general public.
Congratulations to both journalists who inform, educate and enlighten us in the finest tradition of informative journalism. These awards are truly deserved.
where you the teacher’s pet in school ?
I admire and respect well written and informative journalism and think it no harm to express that respect and admiration. I’ve read numerous articles by both journalists and I learned information from them.
Come on Michael,which one of them is your sister?.
Hugh?
Well done on the awards it’s just a pity it’s from the law society that we’ll known cartel.
Hope I don’t get taken to court for heresy.
Court for grammar.
Well done ladies. Respect!
Fair play !
Both white. Can’t help noticing that there’s a bit of a lack of diversity in the Journal staff
#JournalSoWhite
They didn’t get it for impartial coverage of abortion. That’s for sure
Where’s Hugh’s award
Did Enda not give him a Senate seat, no?
The Journal has Reporters?
Well done women!! I love yer articles I have to say well deserved!!
Well done,keep up the good work.
Praised by the judges because their failings are omitted. Almost all I know has experienced Dolphin House and other courts around the country and how the outcome of cases depends on the mood of the judge or solicitors being able to tell which judges prefer fathers over mothers and vice verse
BE SMART AND BECOME RICH IN LESS THAN 3DAYS….It all depends on how fast you can be to get the new PROGRAMMED blank ATM card that is capable of hacking into any ATM machine,anywhere in the world. I got to know about this BLANK ATM CARD when I was searching for job online about l 5days ago ..It has really changed my life for good and now I can say I’m rich and I can never be poor again. The least money I get $2,000 daily and now i have $10,000… Everyday I keeping pumping money into my account. Though is illegal,there is no risk of being caught ,because it has been programmed in such a way that it is not traceable,it also has a technique that makes it impossible for the CCTVs to detect you..For details on how to get yours today, email the hackers on : (cindytedder767@yahoo.com) Tell your loved once too, and start to live large. That’s the simple testimony of how my life changed for good…Love you all …the email address again is (cindytedder767@yahoo.com)
have your say