3NEWS’ URSULA HALLIGAN is stepping down as political editor at the station.
TV3 confirmed today that Halligan would leave the role at the end of August after nearly 19 years covering politics for the station.
Halligan was TV3’s first political correspondent and has won awards for her work.
In 2009, she broke the news that the then-Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan Jnr had pancreatic cancer. She hosted her own political show The Political Party for nearly five years.
Mick McCaffrey, Head of 3News Ireland said:
“Ursula has made a valuable contribution to TV3 over the past 18 years and was always an independent voice in politics, going beyond the spin and hype to give our viewers the real story of what was happening at Leinster House.
“She was respected across all political parties for her insights and independence. We would like to thank Ursula for her dedicated service and wish her the very best for the future.”
Marriage referendum
Halligan gained widespread praise for opening up about her experience of being a gay woman in Ireland.
In an opinion piece published in the Irish Times in May 2015, she said that the same-sex marriage referendum had encouraged her to speak publicly about her sexuality.
The broadcaster described how her mind changed: “I never thought I’d see the day that a government minister would come out as gay and encounter almost nothing but praise for his bravery.”
She also describes a sense of loss that she hasn’t experienced the same social approval as her brothers and sisters:
For me, there was no first kiss; no engagement party; no wedding. And up until a short time ago no hope of any of these things.
“Now, at the age of 54, in a (hopefully) different Ireland, I wish I had broken out of my prison cell a long time ago. I feel a sense of loss and sadness for precious time spent wasted in fear and isolation.”
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