Gemma ODoherty fired from Irish Independent for questioning Garda Commissioner

jonsnow

Gemma O'Doherty a 16 year veteran reporter and senior features writer has been fired from the Irish Independent recently by senior management. I know that the standard of reporters at INM is woeful but ODoherty is an old school exception.

She has in recent years forced the gardai to reopen a murder file into the infamous Father Niall Molloy due to startling new evidence which she uncovered which pointed to a GUBU case of crazy proportions which involved collusion and/or incompetence by the Gardai, the medical profession, the DPP, the Judiciary and prominent members of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.This case really is bizarre and O'Doherty has been relentless and dogged in pursuing it.The cold case squad has now wrapped up and sent a file to the DPP who (surprise surprise have stated that no charges are to be brought against anyone). The Molloy family are not surprised and stated that given the behaviour by both bodies over the years they would never properly investigate a matter which would implicate them in gross misconduct. They are pushing for an independent enquiry.

The Molloy affair matter has been rumbling on for years and has caused tension between O'Doherty and Irish Independent Editor and now INM Editor-in-chief Stephen Rae. Stephen Rae is the former editor of the Garda Review and is best friends with Paul Williams. He prizes good relations with AGS and since becoming Editor has moved the paper in a downmarket cops and robbers direction as well as pushing the GRA line in editorials.

The matter came to a head recently with Gemma O'Doherty doorstepping Commissioner Callinans wife at the Commissioners home to confirm the name and address in relation to having penalty points wiped that a source had tipped her off about. She was rung minutes after by Indo management obviously tipped off by the commish who bawled her out for having the temerity in checking facts at the commissioners house. Stephen Rae called her a "rogue reporter". The Indo then sat on the story for a week until the source threatened to go to another paper. At this point the article was taken out of O'Dohertys hands and sanitised by senior management "on duty" "high level important meeting etc etc.

A few weeks later in a management restructure involving one layoff - her - Odoherty was fired.This really is a frightening vista where one of the 2 major papers and the biggest paper group in the country is now so close to the Gardai that even questioning or doorstopping the Garda Commissioner about possible inappropriate behavior is seen as being "rogue". None of the main papers are going near this but there is a lengthy piece in todays Phoenix and broadsheet are also covering it.

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2013/09/05/going-rogue/

Article about Father Molloy Murder

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/gemma-odoherty-truth-about-fr-molloys-murder-will-rock-the-state-28904708.html

krudler

Journalist fired for being a journalist?

paddy147

Court Case and a nice payout for unfair dismissal perhaps??

syklops

Is door-stepping where you camp out in front of someones home and wait until they are leaving the house to interview them?

She could have door stepped him at work, but I suppose there were too many guards about.

jonsnow

paddy147 wrote: »

Court Case and a nice payout for unfair dismissal perhaps??

My understanding is that they informed her in the "bad news" meeting that it had nothing to do with the Garda Commissioner and that it was because she hadn't adjusted to the "digital era". The NUJ have voted to protest the decision and she has lawyered up big time apparently.She obviously wont be a pushover.

Jester252

Maybe she was fired for improper conduct. She did doorstepping Commissioner Callinans wife at the their home in a matter that had nothing to do with her.

jonsnow

Jester252 wrote: »

Maybe she was fired for improper conduct. She did doorstepping Commissioner Callinans wife at the their home in a matter that had nothing to do with her.

newspapers don't view doorstepping and fact-checking as improper conduct. Its an essential part of the trade.inm of all media groups loves a good doorstop.

K-9

jonsnow wrote: »

newspapers don't view doorstepping and fact-checking as improper conduct. Its an essential part of the trade.inm of all media groups loves a good doorstop.

I'd assume they'd have some type of guidelines on door stepping, dead relative that type of stuff, but this case seems odd.

Jester252

jonsnow wrote: »

newspapers don't view doorstepping and fact-checking as improper conduct. Its an essential part of the trade.inm of all media groups loves a good doorstop.

But she doorstep his wife who is not involved with the story. Can you see what wrong with that?

washman3

What are the chances of Paul Williams now doing a series on Garda corruption?

Allyall

Probably why Paul Williams only goes after the 'other type' of criminal..


Needs more balls.

EDIT:
AAhhm you posted as i was typing..

washman3 wrote: »

What are the chances of Paul Williams now doing a series on Garda corruption?

Also, the Politicians?

New Breed wanted.

Paul Williams has nothing, easy to chase the criminals (That are considered criminals) in the media all the time.

ColeTrain

Pity it wasn't Ian that they let go..

MadsL

Another nail in the coffin of journalism in Ireland.

jill_valentine

Jester252 wrote: »

But she doorstep his wife who is not involved with the story. Can you see what wrong with that?

Again, it doesn't matter if it feels weird to us, it's considered a perfectly valid tool of the trade.

Allyall

jill_valentine wrote: »

Again, it doesn't matter if it feels weird to us, it's considered a perfectly valid tool of the trade.

As is a shotgun to a farmer..

wonderfullife

So basically a priest was murdered at a party in which a number of politicians, judges, lawyers were present. His life could have been saved except they called a priest instead of an ambulance and then the priest claimed to have not known 999 was an emergency number and had "no glasses" to read the phone book?

He could have at least attempted an emergency number off the top of his head. like 666. He probably knew that one.

No surprise she's fired though, basically went after the guards, the church and the legal profession in 1 article. Times may have changed but those groups still have plenty of power.

jill_valentine

Allyall wrote: »

As is a shotgun to a farmer..

Er... the point is that doorstepping is not something that would have gotten her fired in itself.

Allyall

jill_valentine wrote: »

Er... the point is that doorstepping is not something that would have gotten her fired in itself.

My maybe misplaced point is that, just because it's considered a 'valid tool of the trade', doesn't mean they should always use it, or that they should use it without care.

Jester252

jill_valentine wrote: »

Again, it doesn't matter if it feels weird to us, it's considered a perfectly valid tool of the trade.

Is it also valid tool to ask someone not involved with the story to confirm it?
We don't know what happened at the time. If anyone living on the property that is doorstepped by a journalist, salesman, jehovah witness etc. and they can tell them to leave and the doorsteper must do so without another word.
Anything said by the doorsteper after been asked to leave is can be considered harassment.

Allyall

jill_valentine wrote: »

Er... the point is that doorstepping is not something that would have gotten her fired in itself.

I think i get you.

You are saying that she shouldn't have been fired because many have done it before her?

Then i agree.

It doesn't make it right, and it actually, in more ways is worse because of who is involved, but...

jonsnow

Jester252 wrote: »

But she doorstep his wife who is not involved with the story. Can you see what wrong with that?

Firstly the Irish Independent Management team stated that she was being fired for not keeping pace with the digital era and that it had nothing to do with the Garda Commissioner. If they are horrified by her behavior in doorstepping the Commishs wife why not just say so.Methinks they protest too much.

Secondly are the Independent now banning doorstepping entirely on a point of principle???I seriously doubt it.

Thirdly in all the cases of doorstepping people that could ever happen this is surely one of the least intrusive.

"Im Gemma ODoherty from the Irish Indo could you please confirm that 22 made up street is the home of Garda Commissioner Callanan."

"Yes it is"

"thank you very much"

Until the facebook age it was standard practice for journalists to approach the familys of recently deceased relatives including children to ask for photos.Distasteful perhaps but standard practice and not viewed as improper for journalists.

Finally ODoherty was following a very serious story about the abuse of power by the head of the Irish police and security service. If that inconvenienced his wife very slightly that is unfortunate but it was necessary to safeguard the pursuit of a vital story which spoke truth to power and ultimately strengthened democracy.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Jester252 wrote: »

But she doorstep his wife who is not involved with the story. Can you see what wrong with that?

Believe me, if that was the grounds for firing, every indo journalist would be sacked

vitani

You'd wonder if anything in this country ever really changes. When you look back at all the corruption and scandal that's taken place over the past 50 years, it's easy to shake your head at how it was 'allowed' happen, but it's never really stopped, has it? This country is really being ran by an old boy's club who are just out to serve their own interests.

Fair play to Gemma O'Doherty and I hope she's instrumental in getting the full truth of the Niall Molloy case out. But I'm not looking forward to all the headshaking and handwringing from our politicians when it eventually is released, along with promise after promise of how it won't be allowed to happen again.

kerry4sam

jonsnow wrote: »

...

The matter came to a head recently with Gemma O'Doherty doorstepping Commissioner Callinans wife at the Commissioners home to confirm the name and address in relation to having penalty points wiped that a source had tipped her off about. ...

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2013/09/05/going-rogue/

Article about Father Molloy Murder

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/gemma-odoherty-truth-about-fr-molloys-murder-will-rock-the-state-28904708.html

Jester252 wrote: »

Maybe she was fired for improper conduct. She did doorstepping Commissioner Callinans wife at the their home in a matter that had nothing to do with her.

Something similar happened to me when someone made an unsubstantiated threat against a family member of mine, whilst he was 'doing his job' and apparently that is okay, eventhough it had nothing to do with my family member!

Here in this instance, it is not allowed to approach a family member. Interesting, real interesting.

I doubt this will make headlines in the future though, just a hunch I have that all will be kept quiet but I'll try to follow this.
Thanks for sharing.

Christ the Redeemer

Looks like we'll be dropping further in the Reporters without borders index next year.

hansfrei

OP, you're not suggesting there's some link between the gorthai, the DPP, judges, political parties like FF & FG are you? You're not suggesting these people operate within some kind of system amonst themselves are you? A rogue cabal kind of thing? That couldn't be.......

mitosis

Why was she questioning the wife on a matter she would know nothing about? What form did the questioning take, was it aggressive?

My point is, we don't know why she was fired, all there is is supposition.

From the first link (my bolds)

The Phoenix is today reporting O’Doherty’s editors were apparently furious with her approach regarding Callinan, with then editor Stephen Rae apparently telling O’Doherty her behaviour was that of a ‘rogue reporter’

Setun

I've just been listening to RTE Radio 1's series "Whistleblowers" over the last few weeks (well worth a listen!), and I was struck by the typical anti-whistleblower tactics that emerge no matter the subject, authority, or location. Gemma O'Doherty's story as outlined above is textbook - ignore, deny, discredit.

It's a shame that such journalistic traits is the exception - the ability to be ruthlessly pursue the reality of a news story, even when you know it will disturb many powerful people, is a heroic thing imo.

BlatentCheek

Sad to see but hardly surprising that the Indo would toss out anyone trying to make a story that would discredit the Gardai, judiciary and a party in government. It's always been a pro-establishment paper and it's taken a very tabloid direction in the last decade or so; they want articles on celebrities, makeup and what Fat Freddie did last week not serious journalism that threatens to "rock the state". Presumably they'll replace her with someone like Niamh Horan.

Christ the Redeemer

hansfrei wrote: »

OP, you're not suggesting there's some link between the gorthai, the DPP, judges, political parties like FF & FG are you? You're not suggesting these people operate within some kind of system amonst themselves are you? A rogue cabal kind of thing? That couldn't be.......

Yea. That's crazy talk. :pac:

My name is URL

mitosis wrote: »

Why was she questioning the wife on a matter she would know nothing about?

Isn't that all part and parcel of investigative journalism? Not every single one of the people you question are going to know about or be involved with whatever it is you're investigating. She may have been seeking leads rather than answers.

I agree that not enough is known at present to form a conclusion on the matter, but if it's a case that she was fired simply for following her journalistic instinct then questions need to be asked.

anncoates

Jester252 wrote: »

Maybe she was fired for improper conduct. She did doorstepping Commissioner Callinans wife at the their home in a matter that had nothing to do with her.

I would be highly surprised if reporters working for a 'as-good-as-tabloid' newspaper like the Indo have never doorstepped anybody in pursuit of a story before.

Jester252

anncoates wrote: »

I would be highly surprised if reporters working for a 'as-good-as-tabloid' newspaper like the Indo have never doorstepped anybody in pursuit of a story before.

She doorstepped someone not involved with the story and we don't know what happen during the event.

Cool_CM

jonsnow wrote: »

it was because she hadn't adjusted to the "digital era".

I can't wait for the Independent to start "adjusting to the digital era" by charging for their online content so they can find out exactly how many people actually view their media and how many people view it because somebody linked to a badly written/stupid article on a forum such as this.

TommiesTank

OP, can you confirm any vested interests you may have here please? Are you a friend / colleague / former colleague of the journalist in question for example?

You seem to have fairly indepth knowledge e.g. quoting the doorstepping conversation which isn't in either of the original links. It is in quotes so presumably you didn't just make up the quotes?

mike65

I remember this "killing". It seemed utterly GUBU even as the news reports of the day were broadcast.

Read this, a tale of low lives and dodgy doings http://frniallmolloy.com/

TommiesTank

OP, where is the link between Father Molloy and her being layed off? Is this pure speculation on your part?

The date on the article is 22 November 2012, when did she finish working for the Irish Independent?

jonsnow

TommiesTank wrote: »

OP, can you confirm any vested interests you may have here please? Are you a friend / colleague / former colleague of the journalist in question for example?

You seem to have fairly indepth knowledge e.g. quoting the doorstepping conversation which isn't in either of the original links. It is in quotes so presumably you didn't just make up the quotes?

I positively affirm that I am not a friend/colleague/former colleague of Gemma ODoherty but am merely an Irish citizen and newspaper reader concerned at the manner of her recent dismissal and the related issues in relation to the freedom of our press. What about yourself have you any "vested interests" in this matter or any connections to INM or An Garda Siochana?.

The conversation in quotes I obviously did make up -22 fake street?? - and it was clearly just an example of the kind of conversation that would flow from a journalist asking someone who opened the door if another person lived there. There is a detailed article in the Phoenix which does go into some detail about the approach made by Ms ODoherty to Ms Callanan but does not provide a transcript.There is a paywall but you can pick it up at all good newsagents.

jonsnow

TommiesTank wrote: »

OP, where is the link between Father Molloy and her being layed off? Is this pure speculation on your part?

The date on the article is 22 November 2012, when did she finish working for the Irish Independent?

I would say that it it is my opinion that continually raising awkward questions about Garda incompetence or complicity in a coverup created tensions with Garda management between the Irish Independent and this in turn created tensions between an editor who has very close ties to An Garda Siochana which did her long term prospects no good at all. Despite the fact that her reports were arguably the best journalistic work that the Indo has done in years.I believe that the breaking of the story which was very embarrassing for callanan was then the straw which broke the camels back in relation to the senior management at INM.

The Phoenix magazine, broadsheet and the National Union of Journalists also appeared to believe that there is a link between these issues.From Broadsheet

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2013/09/05/going-rogue/

The Phoenix is today reporting O’Doherty’s editors were apparently furious with her approach regarding Callinan, with then editor Stephen Rae apparently telling O’Doherty her behaviour was that of a ‘rogue reporter’.

But her pursuit of the Fr Molloy story had already caused tensions with gardai and a government extremely sensitive to Fine Gael connections with the case.

I could be wrong but I believe that there are genuine reasons to believe that a journalist was fired for speaking truth to power and embaressing poweerful people.

I believe that she was fired in April a few weeks after she broke the penalty points story.I used that article bcause I believed that it gave the best general overview. There are many more recent article relating to the case.

jonsnow

Jester252 wrote: »

She doorstepped someone not involved with the story and we don't know what happen during the event.

She was involved with the story as she could confirm the veracity of whether Mr Callanan lived at that address or not which then verified the story vis a vis her husbands speeding and getting penalty points. This is not some sort of massive intrusion into a persons life.People call to houses every day of the week and ask does such and such a person live here.The Irish Times has a great article today where Michael Lynns coworkers and neighbors in brazil have all been doorstepped and asked questions about him. They have given answers which have given a very valuable insight into what he has been up to for the last number of years.

You want to set the standard of privacy to such a ridiculous high level in this country that we would essentially not have a functioning free press at all.

oliverd75

I sympathise with anyone who loses their job and I wish Gemma all the best. However, I find it very childish that everyone who comments on this tread automatically believes that there is some great Fianna Fail/Church/Garda grand conspiracy going on. As far as I can see, there seems to be a certain amount of incompetence involved in the investigation - and that is clearly not acceptable. However, there is no proof of any massive cover up. Did you ever consider that the DPP might not have charged anyone because there is no case? It seems unfair to attack the reputation of the people who work in the DPP's office just because you don't like them.

It is just one of those stories that seems to attract the tin foli hat brigade. It's '9-11 is an inside job' for the Irish middle classes.

splitrmx

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2013/09/16/did-the-editor-have-his-points-quashed/

"You may recall a post concerning the recent dismissal from the Irish Independent of journalist Gemma O’Doherty
The Senior Features writer and Travel Editor was usually in receipt of high praise from her editors.
But this changed, she says, after she discovered in April that Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan was caught speeding while driving his private car, and his penalty points subsequently quashed.

Her then boss Rae reportedly called O’Doherty a ‘rogue reporter’ for calling to Callinan’s house to confirm details in the story.. The publication was eventually delayed by a week and “changed considerably” before it went to print.
Some weeks after the story managing director Declan Carlyle informed O’Doherty that her job was gone.

It has since emerged that among a list of high-profile names who have had points quashed is a Stephen Rae, who was reportedly caught speeding in Belfield, Dublin on the morning of November 5, 2009, and whose two points were subsequently terminated by gardai with no reason given.

[We have contacted Stephen Rea to clarify if this was indeed him. He has not responded to emails and phone calls.]

The cancellation of fixed charge notices,and subsequently penalty points – other than for fire brigade drivers, ambulance drivers, on-duty Gardaí or people driving a car under the direction of a Garda – is not provided for in Irish law.

Gardaí have been using an ‘ad-hoc’ policy of discretion in relation to terminating penalty points which has no statutory basis.
Meanwhile, separately, O’Doherty was also investigating examples of summonses not being served on high-profile people from political, media, sports and legal circles when she got fired.

On May 9, she wrote how three summonses for three different motoring offences were not served on Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy. And she was compiling a story in relation to the case of summonses not being served against two high-profile people in legal circles when she was dismissed by INM."

splitrmx

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2013/sep/17/irish-independent-ireland

O'Doherty's subsequent enforced departure from the Independent has received no coverage in the rest of the Irish mainstream media.

Is there any part of this country that isn't tainted to the core by an untouchable old-boys network? This kind of blatant corruption from politicians and Garda being unquestionable, to the quashing of summons and penalty points is laughable in a 21st century liberal democracy. Sure if you're from his constituency and up in court, even the Taoiseach will write you a letter of character reference.

As the euphoria of the Celtic Tiger economy recedes, all we're left with is the same old backwards country that we had until the end of the 80's. The backwardness never left us, it seems - economic prosperity just meant it was easier to hide.

Alfasudcrazy

TommiesTank wrote: »

You seem to have fairly indepth knowledge e.g. quoting the doorstepping conversation which isn't in either of the original links. It is in quotes so presumably you didn't just make up the quotes?

Its amazing that anyone could take that quote as being the literal transcript - get with the programme please or just watch old episodes of wanderly wagon. :rolleyes:

Alfasudcrazy

What amazes me in this discussion is no mention whatsoever about the whistleblower gardai or their eventual fate. This was not a story unearthed by a hero investigative journalist but from members of the Gardai themselves and it was seen what happened to them in the end - and not a murmur of public outrage over it - unlike this case.

snubbleste

Guardian - Irish police chief's resignation vindicates sacked investigative journalist


I'm guessing we'll find out in time that Stephen Rea's penalty points being wiped is somehow connected to her dismissal

gladrags

Great to see O'Doherty vindicated.

A lot of unanswered questions left by this decision.

What is the Sindo covering up?

nelly17

Power

washman3

nelly17 wrote: »

Power

Fear of losing POWER..
Even worse.!!

The_Valeyard

gladrags wrote: »

Great to see O'Doherty vindicated.

A lot of unanswered questions left by this decision.

What is the Sindo covering up?

Truth, news, Political elite, established order, all the boys with similar point of view on how the country should be run.

Government mouthpiece.