Ex-tele man Kearney is new northern editor at RTE
RTE’S retiring Northern editor Tommie Gorman has sent his best wishes to his successor — ex-belfast Telegraph reporter Vincent Kearney.
Speaking about his retirement, Mr Gorman said last night: “I’ve lived the dream, it has been great.”
He will be replaced in the coming weeks by Mr Kearney, an award-winning journalist whose 32 years’ experience has included senior editorial positions in regional and national newspapers.
Originally from Belfast, but now living in Lurgan with wife Louise and family, Mr Kearney worked at the Tele, was NI correspondent for The Sunday Times and later for the BBC worked on Spotlight and was its home affairs editor.
He left Ormeau Avenue to make the short trip to RTE’S Belfast office in January 2019.
Currently RTE’S northern correspondent, Mr Kearney has reported across all the broadcaster’s news programmes, providing
television, radio and online coverage. He said he was thrilled to take up the new position, “that is without doubt one of the best jobs in journalism on the island of Ireland”.
“Tommie Gorman will leave behind an amazing legacy and huge shoes to fill,” he added.
“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to fill them. RTE has a reputation for authoritative coverage of Northern Ireland affairs and I relish the challenge of continuing that tradition.”
On The Late Late Show, Mr Gorman said: “I have had a fantastic time. It has gone by too fast. It has gone by in a flash.”
He added: “I’m conscious that I’m getting older and if you are to be in any way true to how generous people in here have been, you have to acknowledge there’s another generation coming up.
“Vincent is going to replace me in Belfast. He’s a smashing fella and there’s going to be a structure there, somebody will get his current job. I like to think of handing over a place that’s relevant and I think the RTE is in a good place.”