Gemma O'Doherty

Gemma O'Doherty in 2014

Gemma O'Doherty is an Irish investigative journalist, known for her work in exposing corruption in the country's criminal justice system and police force.[1][2][3]

O'Doherty was Chief Features Writer at the Irish Independent where she worked for 16 years until she was fired for her actions while investigating the wiping of speeding penalty posts.

She sought a nomination to stand for the presidency in the 2018 election,[4] but received only one nomination (from Laois County Council), short of the four required.

Career

Journalism

O'Doherty highlighted issues in the investigation into the 1985 death of Fr. Niall Molloy. Her work led to the reopening of that case. According to O'Doherty, the priest's murder 'exposed a cover up of staggering proportions involving several institutions of the State and the Catholic Church.'[5]

in 2013, while investigating a nationwide penalty points cancellation scandal, O'Doherty sought to question Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan about the quashing of his own speeding points and called to his private home in order to do so, speaking to Callinan's wife.[6] This action was condemned by her employer and cost O'Doherty her job.[7] In December 2014, the Independent admitted they were wrong to dismiss O'Doherty, issued an apology to her and paid her an undisclosed sum in damages to settle a defamation action in the High Court and a case brought by her to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.[8]

Politics

On 19 August 2018, O'Doherty announced that she was seeking a nomination to stand for the presidency in the 2018 election.[4] During her campaign to seek a nomination, she alleged that there was state collusion in the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, and threatened councillors, including the brother of Veronica Guerin, with libel after the claims were raised at a meeting of Clare County Council called to hear from potential candidates. These threats were not followed through.[9] On 24 September, she received a nomination to stand from Laois County Council.[10] She failed to receive any further nominations by the closing date of 26 September, meaning she was unable to stand for election.[11]

Awards

  • 2007 ESB National Media Awards (Print Campaigning and Social Issues)[12]
  • 2011 GSK Irish Medical Media Awards (Consumer Print Media)[13]
  • Shortlisted for 2012 NNI Journalism Awards (Crime & Security Reporter of the Year and Feature Writer of the Year)[14][15]
  • 2012 International Journalism Festival[16]
  • 2016 Award of Recognition in the Women Filmmaker section at the Hollywood Independent Documentary Awards[17]
  • 2016 Award of Excellence in the Feature Documentary section at the Hollywood Independent Documentary Awards[17]
  • 2016 Award of Merit at IndieFEST Film Awards[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Are You A Journalist?". Broadsheet.ie.
  2. ↑ "An Interview With John Wilson". Motley Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Greenslade, Roy (17 September 2013). "Controversy over firing of leading Irish investigative journalist". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  4. 1 2 O'Brien, Carl (19 August 2018). "Journalist Gemma O'Doherty announces intention to run for the presidency". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "British media reacts strongly as leading Irish journalist Gemma O'Doherty forced out of job". Irish Post. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Gemma O'Doherty settles unfair dismissal case with Independent". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  7. ↑ Greenslade, Roy (13 January 2015). "Gemma O'Doherty wins another apology from Irish Independent". the Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "Journalist Gemma O'Doherty settles unfair dismissals case against'Independent'". Irish Times. 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  9. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (7 September 2018). "Gemma O'Doherty clashes with councillors over collusion claims". The Irish Times. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  10. ↑ "Gemma O'Doherty nominated for Presidency by Laois Council, but misses out in Cork". BreakingNews.ie. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  11. ↑ "Deadline for Presidential nominations passes". 26 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  12. ↑ "`Scoops, expert reporting' win awards - Independent.ie". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  13. ↑ "Home - GSK Ireland". gsk.ie.
  14. ↑ http://nni.ie/journalism-awards/shortlists/shortlist-nni-journalism-awards-2012/
  15. ↑ http://nni.ie/nni-national-journalist-of-the-year-award-goes-to-irish-independent-team/
  16. ↑ "Travel writer walks away with top prize". Independent.ie.
  17. 1 2 "Mary Boyle Documentary wins major film award". 2016-10-27. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Mary Boyle documentary wins awards in Hollywood". 2016-06-04. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
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