Colleagues pay tribute to popular INM manager

Sudden passing: Andrew McDermott THE funeral took place at the weekend of Andrew McDermott, one of Independent News & Media’s brightest and most highly regarded executives, who died on Wednesday.

The sudden and unexpected passing of Andrew at the young age of 47, has deeply affected his colleagues at Belfast Telegraph owners INM, particularly those in the Sunday World and the advertising department.

Andrew, from the Dublin suburb of Dundrum, was not only one of the great professionals in the organisation but a hugely popular figure. But his loss will be felt most acutely by his beloved wife Lorna and three young children, Kitty, Ed and Finn, and his family and closest friends.

Andrew joined the Sunday World in 2008 and was an integral figure in an award-winning team that blazed a trail in a hugely competitive industry.

In recent times, he became part of INM’s advertising hub, selling into all titles including the Sunday Independent. He was elevated to group agency sales manager in late 2015, a position which he held until his untimely death.

Hundreds attended his funeral service at the Church of the Holy Cross in Dundrum to pay their respects. His close friend and colleague Mairead Kearns said: “Quite simply, he was the nicest man you could ever meet.”