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UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards 2009

Date: 17 Nov 2009

Pictured from left to right were UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards winners Ciaran Hancock (Irish Times), Joe Brennan Irish Independent), Gary McDonald (Irish News), Charlie Weston (Irish Independent), Professor Tom Begley Dean UCD Business Schools, Tom Lyons (Sunday Times), Frank Fitzgibbon (Sunday Times), Christopher McKevitt (RTE), Laura Noonan (Irish Independent), Mark Paul (Sunday Times) and Brian Carey (Sunday Times) Laurence Crowley Chair of Judging Panel. The awards, which are now in their third year, reward excellence in Irish business journalism from print, broadcast and online media. Over 115 entries were received for the awards this year, across eight categories. The winner of each category received a specially commissioned trophy and €1,000 at an awards luncheon event.

Business journalists from print, broadcast and online media were honoured today at the Business Journalist Awards 2009. The awards, which are now in their third year, reward excellence in Irish business journalism. Over 115 entries were received for the awards this year, across eight categories.

Each winner was presented with an award and a cheque for €1,000 by the Dean of UCD Business Schools, Professor Tom Begley, the title sponsors of the awards and the Chairperson of the judging panel, Laurence Crowley, CBE, co-founder of the North South Round Table Group and current Director of Aer Lingus Group Plc. Representatives of Hewlett Packard Ireland, supporting sponsors of the awards, were also in attendance at Balzac Restaurant.

Breaking Business News

Joint Winners: Joe Brennan, Irish Independent, Tom Lyons, The Sunday Times

Finalist: David Murphy, RTÉ

Economic/ Business Comment

Winner: Brian Carey, The Sunday Times

Finalists: Richard Curran, The Sunday Business Post; John McManus, The Irish Times

Business Feature

Winner: Mark Paul, The Sunday Times

Finalists: Brian Carey and The Sunday Times Business Team; The Sunday Times, Aine Coffey, The Sunday Times

Northern Ireland Business Journalist

Winner: Gary McDonald, The Irish News

Finalist: Frances McDonnell, The Irish Times

Business Broadcast

Winner: Christopher McKevitt, RTE

Finalists: Emma McNamara, RTE; Brian O’Donovan, TV3

Specialist Business Reporting

Winner: Charlie Weston, Irish Independent

Finalists: Siobhán O’Connell, The Irish Times; Kathleen Barrington, The Sunday Business Post

Business Interview

Winner: Tom Lyons, The Sunday Times

Finalists: John Walsh, Business and Finance; Gavin Daly, The Sunday Business Post

Young Journalist of the Year

Winner: Laura Noonan, Irish Independent

Finalists: Emma Kennedy, The Sunday Business Post; Nick Rabbitts, Limerick Leader

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Frank Fitzgibbon, the Irish Editor, The Sunday Times

Commenting on the entries, Laurence Crowley, Chair of the awards judging panel said, “This year’s awards saw many examples of first-class business journalism that were accurate, up-to-date and engaging. A number of well written articles generated heated debate amongst the panel and it was difficult to reach a decision on just one winner across a number of categories. ”

Professor Tom Begley, Dean, UCD Business Schools, said:

“In a difficult year for business media, we were delighted to receive over 115 entries for the awards that demonstrate well-researched, hard-hitting stories and surprising revelations about business in Ireland. The judges were impressed with the outstanding calibre of business journalism represented and recognise the important role journalists play in shaping important business decisions in the economic life of our country. We plan to develop the awards with the addition of new categories to encourage an even greater response next year.”

Martin Murphy, Managing Director, Hewlett Packard Ireland, supporting sponsors of the awards said, “Hewlett Packard are delighted to recognise the achievements of business journalism in Ireland over the past year and we are honoured to be joining with UCD Smurfit School in support of these awards. Now, more than ever, business journalism is a part of our everyday lives as we look to the media to enhance our understanding of business in Ireland. I would like to congratulate all of the winners and finalists, especially Frank Fitzgibbon, the Irish Editor of The Sunday Times, for being the first Outstanding Achievement Award Winner.”

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