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Tributes paid to veteran Ireland correspondent and author Henry McDonald

Mr McDonald died at the weekend following a long-term illness.

Rebecca Black
Monday 20 February 2023 10:36 EST
Veteran Ireland correspondent and writer Henry McDonald (Arthur Allison/Pacemaker/PA)
Veteran Ireland correspondent and writer Henry McDonald (Arthur Allison/Pacemaker/PA)

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Tributes have been paid to veteran Ireland correspondent and writer Henry McDonald.

The 57-year-old, from Belfast, died at the weekend following a long-term illness.

He has been described as one of the Northern Ireland capitalā€™s first punks, and was a lifelong follower of the north Belfast football club Cliftonville.

However Mr McDonald was best known for his journalism and writing career.

He started at the Irish News, before he was the Ireland correspondent for The Guardian and The Observer for more than 23 years.

Mr McDonald also worked for BBC Northern Ireland and most recently had been appointed the Belfast News Letterā€™s political editor in 2022.

He wrote a number of books around Northern Irelandā€™s Troubles, including several about terrorist organisations, and had earned a reputation as an authoritative voice on security issues.

Mr McDonald also wrote political biographies, including of former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness and former first minister David Trimble.

Tributes have been paid from across the political divide in Northern Ireland and across the media landscape.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he was greatly saddened to learn of Mr McDonaldā€™s death.

ā€œHenry was an excellent journalist and one of the most knowledgeable commentators on Northern Ireland politics,ā€ he tweeted.

ā€œAlways enjoyed my conversations with a man who was good humoured, insightful & passionate about this place.ā€

Alliance leader Naomi Long tweeted: ā€œSo sorry to learn of the death of Henry McDonald.

ā€œHe was a tenacious and perceptive journalist with a quick wit. He will be desperately missed. Thoughts with all his family and friends, grieving his loss.ā€

UUP leader Doug Beattie described Mr McDonald as a ā€œfantastic journalist, author and friendā€, and SDLP MLA Matthew Oā€™Toole said he was an ā€œold-school hack, football fan, punk, novelist and always good value even when you disagreed with himā€.

Katharine Viner, editor in chief of The Guardian, said Mr McDonald was a highly respected correspondent for The Guardian and The Observer for most of his career.

ā€œHe broke countless stories and told them with integrity, eloquence and empathy,ā€ she said.

Belfast News Letter editor Ben Lowry said staff are distraught, adding Mr McDonald joined the paper only a year ago, but had been loved from his first day, ā€œbursting with ideas, anecdotes, enthusiasm, and storiesā€.

ā€œOur deepest condolences to Henryā€™s family,ā€ he added.

Publisher Blackstaff Press and Colourpoint Creative said they were profoundly sad to hear of Mr McDonaldā€™s death.

ā€œHe was a consummate professional and we had a terrific experience working with him on Martin McGuinness: A Life Remembered. Our condolences go to his family and friends,ā€ they said.

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