Donal Mooney, who has died aged 63, was editor of the London-based weekly newspaper, the Irish World, having previously edited the Irish Post.
The Irish ambassador to Britain, Daithí Ó Ceallaigh, this week paid tribute to a dedicated journalist who was faithful at all times to his readers. "Across the pages of the Irish Post and later in the Irish World, Donal endeavoured to bring Irish people across Britain closer to one another and to highlight in a lively and engaging manner the issues of concern for the Irish community."
The former director of the London Irish Centre, Father Jerry Kivlehan , recalled a gifted journalist whose insight into the Irish emigrant experience was profound. "He was an excellent writer and wordsmith but his ability to report, analyse and present issues such as the Troubles, miscarriages of justice, issues of discrimination, real hardship stories and general news stories was unique."
Born in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, in 1941, he spent his formative years in Abbeyleix, Co Laois, and in Rathmines, Dublin, where his family lived at Palmerston Park. He was a pupil at Belvedere College and later studied at University College Dublin, completing a BComm degree in 1964 and a BA in English in 1967.
He began his career in journalism with Hibernia magazine. He subsequently became editor of the Catholic Standard before moving to London in 1973 to join the staff of the Irish Post of which he was editor for many years.
These were difficult years for the Irish in Britain as IRA bombs in English cities led to a rise in anti-Irish sentiment. Donal Mooney in his journalism sought to make it clear that neither political violence nor an anti-Irish backlash were in anyone's interest.
He later succeeded Damien Gaffney as editor of the Irish World and held this position until his death. His time at the helm of the newspaper coincided with considerable changes in the Irish community arising from the Northern Ireland peace process and the emergence of the Celtic Tiger.
Relations between the Irish and the indigenous population were much improved. Meanwhile economic growth prompted many Irish emigrants to return home and the Irish press in Britain was faced with new challenges.
Mooney was convinced that the Irish community's need for a voice was as strong as ever, and this was reflected in the slogan he coined for the Irish World - "the paper that puts community first". He was regularly invited to appear on BBC TV and CNN as a commentator on Irish affairs, and was widely respected for his shrewd analysis and objectivity.
As chairman of the Irish Club in Eaton Square in Eaton Square between 1999 and 2001, he did much to turn the fortunes of the club around, thereby securing its future.
He had an abiding interest in the arts, dating from his student days, and was involved with the Project Arts Centre, Dublin, in its early years, as a stage director and lighting designer. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Irish arts groups in Britain. He is survived by his wife, Helen, sons Neil and Ross, brothers Niall, Desmond and Diarmuid, and sister Eithne.
Donal Mooney: born 1941; died October 18th, 2004