The death has taken place in Dublin, after a short illness, of Mr James (Jimmy) Gallagher, a former staff member of Independent Newspapers and long-serving member of the Oireachtas Press Gallery.
A native of Newry, Co Down, Mr Gallagher began his journalistic career on the Newry Telegraph and worked in Bedford before joining the Drogheda Independent. In 1954 he was appointed to Independent Newspapers and during the subsequent three decades covered many outstanding events. He held various offices in the National Union of Journalists.
Aged 77, he is survived by his wife, Agnes, brothers, sisters and other relatives.