Waterford News & Star journalist nominated for national awards
Waterford News & Star journalist, Darragh Murphy has been nominated for two Justice Media Awards.
Darragh Murphy, a news reporter with the Waterford News & Star, has been nominated by the Law Society of Ireland for two Justice Media Awards.
He has been shortlisted in the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ and the 'Print/Online Journalism - Local' categories of the awards for his story titled "Man is jailed for sexually assaulting woman in 'random and violent' attack".
Darragh has been shortlisted alongside journalists from The Irish Times, The Business Post and The Munster Express.
A rising star of journalism, Darragh was named Ireland’s “Young Journalist of the Year”, as well as winning "Best News Story", at last year’s Local Ireland Media Awards.
Darragh is delighted to have been shortlisted for two Justice Media Awards by the Law Society of Ireland.
"Court reporting is a challenging but essential part of local journalism, bringing public attention to stories that may have never left the walls of the courtroom if not for the presence of reporters," he said.
"This particular case featured in the Waterford News & Star involved the sentencing of a man who committed two entirely separate, but almost identical sexual assaults in a matter of days.
"The case highlighted the inner workings of the criminal justice system, the investigative process of gardaí, prison violence and the devastating impacts of sexual assault, so I am grateful for the shortlisting and recognition of this important public service reporting."
Editor of the Waterford News & Star, Mary Frances Ryan, added that it is essential that justice is not only done, "but seen to be done".
"Local and regional newspapers and journalists, such as Darragh Murphy, play a crucial role in bringing these stories out of the confines of the courtroom to the attention of the general public. We are very proud in the of Darragh's work, his achievements across the past year and these nominations are the latest recognition of his diligence and talent."
The winners will be announced at the Justice Media Awards event on June 11.
