RTÉ names Deirdre McCarthy as interim head of news

Deirdre McCarthy will replace Jon Williams as managing director of news and current affairs at RTÉ on an interim basis, the national broadcaster has confirmed.

Paul Ferris, currently managing editor at RTÉ News, has also been named as interim deputy managing director of the broadcaster’s news and current affairs department from July 24th. Mr Ferris replaces Hilary McGouran, who is also leaving RTÉ.

After five and a half years at the helm of the department, Mr Williams announced last week that he will leave his role at the end of July. Ms McCarthy — who has served as managing editor of RTÉ News, regions and radio programmes since 2016 — will now take the reins on a temporary basis from July 24th, RTÉ said in a statement Tuesday.

A journalist with RTÉ for over 25 years, Ms McCarthy previously served as editor of RTÉ's The Week in Politics programme from 2008 to 2013 and also managed the broadcaster’s political unit at Leinster House between 2012 and 2016.

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The recruitment process for Mr Williams’ permanent successor is “currently under way”, RTÉ said, following his recent announcement.

In a statement at the time, Mr Williams said it was “the greatest privilege” to head the news and current affairs department. The Liverpool native said he planned to return to the United Kingdom to spend time with his family/