"Irish Times" journalist dies suddenly in Kerry

NIGEL BROWN, one of the longest serving Journalists in The Irish Times, has died at the age of 54

NIGEL BROWN, one of the longest serving Journalists in The Irish Times, has died at the age of 54. He was a Deputy News Editor.

Mr Brown, who had suffered from a heart ailment for a number of years, died suddenly while on holidays in Co Kerry.

He joined the staff of The Irish Times in February, 1963, at a time when the paper was moving away from its traditional stance as the newspaper of the Protestant and unionist tradition and becoming one that reflected more accurately the Ireland emerging from the 1950s.

A lifelong member of the Unitarian Church, he found a ready home in this developing Irish Times with its liberal stance on social issues.

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Mr Brown was educated at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen and later - like many Dublin journalists at that time - learned shorthand and typing at Rosse's College, which had been run by his father for many years.

In his early years with the paper, he worked as a court and parliamentary reporter displaying a high level of competence and an enthusiasm for the job that would continue to be the hallmarks of his career.

As developments were taking place in Northern Ireland, the then editor of The Irish Times, Douglas Gageby, decided the newspaper would give the Northern Ireland parliament at Stormont the same degree of coverage as the Dail. Mr Brown was one of those sent to report the proceedings.

He was subsequently promoted to the post of assistant news editor where he worked with Gerry Mulvey and the late Donal Foley. During the civil rights unrest and the early years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Mr Brown played an important role in directing the newspaper's coverage of events from the news desk in Dublin.

It was an intensely busy time - and very demanding of those involved - but Mr Brown always managed to retain his easy manner, sense of courtesy and unfailing politeness.

He was at the forefront of planning the news coverage of several major events, including the Papal visit in 1979 - which he also covered as a reporter. He also coordinated the paper's coverage of several general elections. He was promoted to the post of Deputy News Editor in 1991.

Mr Brown was popular with his fellow journalists, displaying an sharp sense of humour that was never personal. Throughout his career he was an active member of the National Union of Journalists.

He is survived by his wile Deirdre, son Jeremy and daughter, Sara.