Fianna Fáil has appointed one of Ireland's most experienced political journalists, the Irish Independent'spolitical editor Gene McKenna, as its new press director.
Mr McKenna, a native of Drogheda, Co Louth, began his newspaper career in 1966 with the Drogheda Independent, and he subsequently served with the Irish Pressand the Irish Independent.
He began a full-time career covering politics in 1989, and became the Independent'spolitical editor in 2002.
"It's a new challenge, and I am looking forward to seeing politics from the other side," he said last night.
Mr McKenna, who will take up his post in November, replaces Olivia Buckley, who left in September after five years in the job for a career in public relations with Murray Consultants.
