The health correspondent of The Irish Times, Eithne Donnellan, was named print health journalist for 2003 at the GSK Irish Medical Media Awards yesterday.
The judges cited her versatility and a consistently high standard of reporting on all major health developments as well as complimenting her ability to render complex scientific material accessible to her readers.
Aileen O'Meara of RTÉ news was named medical journalist of the year at the awards ceremony at the offices of sponsors GlaxoSmithKline in Dublin. She received a sculpture by silversmith Séamus Gill and €5,000.
"For balanced, incisive and consistent reporting of many complex and controversial health issues, often handling breaking stories with independence, fairness and accuracy", the judges said.
The young medical journalist for 2003 was Mary Murphy of Kingdom News, Co Kerry. She was praised for her coverage of those coping with long term illness.
Awards were also made in the categories of broadcast, regional press, medical media and electronic media.