JIM McGUINNESS, whose journalistic posts included editorship of the Irish Press and head of RTÉ news, has died in Dublin.
A native of Derry, Mr McGuinness worked in London with the Irish News Agency and the Irish Press. He later edited the Irish Press before moving to San Francisco, where he was an award-winning journalist.
In 1961, he returned to Ireland to join RTÉ as head of information. He also served as head of RTÉ’s publications division and editor of the RTÉ Guide.
He served as head of news at the station from 1966 until 1974, a period when RTE’s coverage of Northern Ireland-related events was under frequent political scrutiny.
He expanded RTÉ’s news coverage, introducing radio programmes such as This Week and the News at One.
Director-General of RTÉ, Cathal Goan, said Mr McGuinness had served as head of news at a very turbulent time. His legacy was “particularly clear at this time as we mark the 40th anniversary of the start of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland’’.
Mr McGuinness is survived by his wife, Sally; sons, Pearse and Niall; and daughter, Mary.
