Death of former Kerryman MD Jim Farrelly

THE death has taken place of Meath native Jim Farrelly, former managing director of the Kerryman and managing director of Independent News and Media (INM) Provincial Newspapers between 1996 and 2000.

“My sincere condolences to Jim and his family. As a former managing director of the paper, Jim became a great friend of The Kerryman team,” said Siobhán Murphy, General Manager of The

Kerryman and former colleague of Mr Farrelly’s. “He was highly admired and respected in his work and had a great passion for journalism. He also had a great reputation for his charisma and style that he brought to Kerry during this time,” she added.

Mr Farrelly died on May 29, aged 77, after a battle with cancer. He was a former Managing Director and Editor in Chief of the Sunday Tribune before his retirement in 2004.

Prior to the Sunday Tribune, Jim was Managing Director of the Drogheda Independent (1990 to 1996), Managing Director of The Kerryman (19962000), and Managing Director of INM Provincial Newspapers 1996-2000.

He joined Independent Newspapers in 1968, where he was a reporter and columnist until 1979 when he joined the First Sunday Tribune as News Editor and Deputy Editor.

In 1981 he was Editor of the short-lived Daily News, and in 1984 he re-joined Independent News and Media, where he was Features Editor from 1986 to 2000.

A native of Oldcastle, County Meath, he was educated at Gilson Endowed School Oldcastle; St Finian’s College Mullingar; UCD; The Milltown Institute of Philosophy; and Kings Inn; and was called to the Bar in 1977. He was the author of “Who’s Who in Irish Politics – the Top 500”.

In accordance with current Government guidelines, and in the hope of keeping friends and family safe, Jim’s Funeral took place privately in St Joseph’s Church, Glasthule, yesterday, June 2. His family hope to have a celebration of his life at a later date.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Gemma; son, Justin; daughter-in-law, Megan; and grandchildren Jamie, Pai-Lily and Daisy Belle.

He is predeceased by his son, Jamie. He is also survived by his sisters, Elizabeth and Freda; and brothers, Michael and Gerard.

Siobhán Murphy concluded by saying Mr Farrelly’s work at The Kerryman was instrumental in assisting the paper during his time there.

“Jim was well liked by all, and his passing comes as a great loss to his family. He had great journalistic knowledge,” she said.

The late Jim Farrelly, former MD of The Kerryman newspaper.