JOHN FINEGAN, long serving theatre critic of the Evening Herald, has died aged 90. He had the distinction of attending more than 3,000 first nights.
He started work for Independent Newspapers in 1923. He worked in various posts in the Herald, but even from an early stage of his career - in 1934 - was reviewing plays and films. He was appointed principal drama critic in 1950.
As well as being a great lover of the arts, he was a superb journalist. He was chief sub editor of the Evening Herald for many years during the 1950s and 1960s. When he retired in 1971, having become assistant editor in 1958, he continued his life long love of the theatre and remained as theatre critic.
He was born in Dublin in 1906. His first job when he joined the newspaper after leaving school was in the telegraphic department. He then worked in the accounts and cashiers department. He went on to become a junior sub editor in the Herald.
Mr Finegan edited Anne Devlin's Jail Journal, published in 1968, and wrote The Story of Monto, published in 1978.