THE DEATH has occurred of former Irish Times news editor John Armstrong. He died suddenly at his home in Dublin yesterday.
Mr Armstrong (65) worked in the newspaper for almost 33 years as a reporter, news editor and night editor.
As news editor, he was instrumental in the decision to publish the story in 1992 revealing that the then bishop of Galway Éamon Casey had fathered a child with Annie Murphy. His family said he had always regarded it as one of the key moments in his career.
Earlier he specialised in education and was editor of the Education Times pages. As a reporter, he was centrally involved in the case of Co Tipperary farmer John Hanrahan, who won a high-profile battle against pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp Dohme over emissions from the plant.
Mr Armstrong also reported on the Troubles and spent some time in Britain, covering Irish miscarriage of justice trials in the 1980s.
Irish Times editor Kevin O’Sullivan paid tribute to Mr Armstrong yesterday, saying he displayed many of the qualities of an outstanding news editor. “During his tenure he played a critical role in the generation of some of the most significant news stories that were published by The Irish Times.
“As night editor, he directed the production of the newspaper with tremendous drive and attention to detail. He demanded the highest standards from journalists, especially in sourcing stories and in applying fairness and balance to their work.”
Former Irish Times editor Conor Brady said Mr Armstrong was a “news man through and through” and was one of the best news editors the newspaper had ever had. He recalled that they had started working at the newspaper on the same day.
“He was cool, methodical and courteous. He interrogated and challenged reporters’ copy until it was perfect,” he said. “He had a rare capacity to look at a news item from many different angles.”
Born in July 1946, John Armstrong grew up in Dalkey, Co Dublin, and went to school in King’s Hospital, followed by Trinity College Dublin. He worked on the Trinity News while in college and joined The Irish Times in October 1969.
He took early retirement from the newspaper in September 2002 but continued to write for it for many years, providing coverage on fine arts and antiques.
Mr Armstrong is survived by his former wife Marion McDonald, his children Katie, David and Rachel, and two grandchildren.
