THE FUNERAL has taken place of the broadcaster and journalist Jim Dougal.
The former RTÉ northern editor died last week after a short illness, having been successfully treated twice for cancer.
Dougal (65) was also a former political editor with BBC Northern Ireland and worked with UTV.
The mourners were led by his widow, Deirdre; his four daughters, Tara, Nicola, Emma and Tina; his son James jnr, and a wide family circle.
The large congregation included members of all the major political parties, dozens of colleagues from both print and broadcast journalism, and representatives from public life.
Also represented were staff from the EU Commission. Dougal headed the Belfast office of the commission before heading to London to lead the EU mission to the whole of the UK.
He had since returned to Belfast and to local journalism, and had founded his own media company.
The Requiem Mass at St Brigid’s church, Derryvolgie, was concelebrated by the Rev Myles Kavanagh, the Very Rev Edward O’Donnell and the Rev Augustine Hourigan.
The reflection and remembrance was offered by the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Very Rev Dr John Dunlop.
Dr Dunlop spoke of Dougal’s commitment to the highest standards in journalism, to his fairness and honesty and to his gentle manner in explaining to a largely Southern audience the intricacies of Northern Ireland.
He said he was thankful for the fact that it was now possible for a Presbyterian minister to be asked to speak at a Catholic funeral and for that minister to be able to accept. Dougal’s daughters and son read the prayers of the faithful and also offered moving individual reflections on their father’s life at the conclusion of the Mass.
The remains were taken for burial at Drumbo, outside Belfast.