Geraldine Kennedy
Ireland- Early Career in Journalism
- Political Correspondent and Sunday Tribune
- Legal Battle and Political Career
- Return to The Irish Times and Editor Appointment
- Mahon Tribunal Controversy
- High Court Ruling and Aftermath
Early Career in Journalism
Mary Ellen Kennedy, an Irish journalist and former politician, began her journalistic career at a young age with the regional newspaper Munster Express. Within a year, she moved to the Cork Examiner, before joining The Irish Times shortly after.
Political Correspondent and Sunday Tribune
In 1980, Kennedy joined the newly established Sunday Tribune as a political correspondent. She was later introduced to John Mulcahy, owner of Hibernia magazine, while writing a piece for him. When the Tribune cut back its staff, Kennedy transitioned to the Sunday Press.
Legal Battle and Political Career
In 1987, Kennedy filed a lawsuit against Charles Haughey of Fianna Fáil for illegally tapping her phone in 1983. She was elected as one of fourteen Progressive Democrats TDs (members of parliament) in the 1987 general election and served as the party's spokesperson on foreign affairs at Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
Return to The Irish Times and Editor Appointment
Kennedy lost her seat in the 1989 general election and returned to The Irish Times under editor Conor Brady, with whom she had previously worked at the Tribune. Despite initially avoiding political topics, she returned to them in the early 1990s and became the paper's political editor in 1999. In late 2002, she was appointed editor, succeeding Brady after his 16-year tenure.
Mahon Tribunal Controversy
In September 2006, Kennedy oversaw the publication of an article in the Sunday Press alleging the existence of a secret 1993 investigation into the bribery of then-Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern. When summoned to the Mahon Tribunal, Kennedy refused to reveal her source, claiming that the documents had been destroyed. The Tribunal then sought a High Court order to compel her to disclose the source.
High Court Ruling and Aftermath
In September 2007, the High Court ordered Kennedy to answer the Tribunal's questions. In its judgment, the court criticized her destruction of the documents as "a dereliction of duty." On November 9, 2007, Kennedy announced that she would appeal the High Court's ruling to the Supreme Court of Ireland.
