Waterford reporter scoops major national awards for Déise Animal Sanctuary exposé

It was a case of a double celebration for Waterford News & Star journalist Darragh Murphy this week, as he secured not one but two major awards at this year's Local Ireland Media Awards.

Darragh first scooped the award for 'Young Journalist of the Year' at the prestigious ceremony, which took place on Thursday, September 11, in Mullingar.

He received the award for his exceptional work titled 'Have you donated to the house of horrors?'

However, there was an added reason for the Waterford team in attendance to celebrate as Darragh also secured the very prestigious award for 'Best News Story', for his story, which was about a fundraising campaign that led to over €10,000 being crowdfunded in support of the woman behind what Clonmel District Court judge Brian O’Shea described as a ‘House of Horrors’.

Darragh's story detailed the neglect and abuse of animals at Déise Animal Sanctuary in Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford. Owner of the sanctuary, Ms Pat Edwards, made national news headlines last year following her guilty plea and eight-month prison sentence for multiple animal abuses, which took place at the local sanctuary. In the direct aftermath of this court hearing, a GoFundMe page was organised, where over €10,000 was raised in support of Pat Edwards and the sanctuary. Ms Edwards later appealed the severity of her custodial sentence.

At the appeal hearing, the sentence was suspended for one year on condition that Ms Edwards not have possession or control of any animals save for one pet dog, and that the animal sanctuary cease operations.

The sanctuary has since closed.

The story featured exclusive insight from various parties, including ISPCA Inspectors and former proprietors of Déise Animal Sanctuary, including Pat Edwards herself.

It also included images, which showed the scale of neglect present at the sanctuary.

The article highlighted how GoFundMe fundraisers can, inadvertently or otherwise, withhold key information and potentially mislead donors.

The Waterford News & Star was also nominated for awards in two other categories: 'Columnist of the Year', for Fr Liam Power's 'Question of Faith' column titled ‘Church must reassess formation programmes’, and 'Best Supplement' for the newspaper's excellent 'Pride of the Déise' publication, which coincided with a weeklong series of events for the 2024 Pride of the Déise Festival in Waterford.

More than 700 entries were made for this year’s Local Ireland Media Awards, which introduced two new categories for Political Coverage of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year.

The award winners were announced at a gala dinner hosted by RTÉ presenter Marty Whelan at the Mullingar Park Hotel.

It was the tenth annual awards and the eighth to be sponsored by the National Lottery.

Also supported by Coimisiún na Meán, 21 trophies were presented, including a special Lifetime Achievement Award for David Burke of the Tuam Herald.

President of Local Ireland Seán Mahon said: “What a fantastic night! A real celebration of everything that's great about local newspapers in Ireland.

“It was superb to see awards being won not just for news, political and sports reporting but also for special features, investigative journalism, digital innovation and creative advertising solutions. 

“Well done to everyone who was nominated and to all our winners. 

"We're privileged to have very talented, committed and passionate people who work for our local newspaper businesses.” 

CEO of the National Lottery, Cian Murphy, said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Local Ireland Media Awards, which shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of local journalists and regional newspapers.

“With more than 700 entries this year, the standard of journalism was truly first class. Local journalism does more than report the news — it fosters trust, gives communities a voice, and helps shape a shared sense of place and belonging while also informing, connecting, and strengthening communities across the country.

“They play a vital role that reflects the National Lottery’s own commitment to supporting Good Causes and making a positive difference in people’s lives throughout Ireland.” 

Coimisiún na Meán was supporting the awards for the first time this year. Media Development Commissioner Rónán O’Domhnaill said: “Coimisiún na Meán is delighted to help support the Local Ireland Awards through our Sponsorship Scheme.

“It was heartwarming and encouraging to see such vibrancy and enthusiasm amongst the members of Local Ireland at the awards.

“A thriving local media landscape is vital to a functioning democracy and in Ireland it is clear that the local newspaper industry is central to that.” Some of Ireland’s leading media professionals make up the awards’ judging panel.

Chair, author, journalist and broadcaster Alison O’Connor told the audience: “Local journalism matters enormously. It happens in the courtroom, the council chamber, the parish hall. It captures the highs and lows of community life - the joy of a local sporting triumph, the heartbreak of job losses, the significance of a planning decision that will shape a town’s future.

“And it’s evolving. Stories are being told in fresh ways - through podcasts, TikTok, QR codes - and our increasingly diverse communities are being reflected more and more in the pages of local titles right across the country."

The judging panel also comprised: RTÉ presenter and journalist Katie Hannon, DCU journalism lecturer Conor Tiernan, broadcaster and journalist Dearbhail McDonald, Emeritus Professor at TUD Michael Foley, Dawn Wheatley of DCU School of Communications, Managing Director of Kinetic Ireland Andrew Sinclair, photographer and former Irish Times Picture Editor Frank Miller, broadcaster and writer Valerie Cox, journalist and author PJ Cunningham, novelist and newspaper columnist Dr Martina Devlin, Policy Editor of the Business Post Daniel Murray and Deputy Night Editor of the Irish Sun Gerry McCarthy.

Executive Director of Local Ireland Bob Hughes said: “The awards reflect the high standards of journalism, production and commercial acumen in local newspapers and their online products right across Ireland.

“Competition for the awards is very strong, so everyone who receives a nomination is a winner. I want to thank the National Lottery for their continued support, Coimisiún na Meán for its support for the event and for our sector, and everyone who helped make the awards a very special event.”