6


Union mourns death of activist Richie Flynn


Richie Flynn, former Chair of the Dublin P&PR branch, died suddenly last month. He was 49. Richie was the Executive of the Irish Farmers


Association Aquaculture Division and served as a member of the NUJ’s Irish Executive Council from 1993 to 1996. The first editor of the Irish Journalist, Richie helped spearhead NUJ fundraising initiatives during the Irish Press dispute. He also served as a member of the ICTU Youth committee and was highly regarded in the wider trade union movement. News of his untimely death has shocked colleagues in the media, agriculture, marine, and rural development sectors. A graduate of Communications Studies at Dublin City University, Richie worked in the IFA’s press office from 1990 to 1996. Richie retained his branch membership, and more importantly, his close friendships with NUJ colleagues, when he moved from the press office to pioneer development of the aquamarine sector. He is remembered for his engaging personality, sharp wit and incisive contributions to delegate conferences. Richie was a former board member of the Marine Institute and chaired the EU advisory committee on aquaculture from 2001 to 2011. He also served as President of the European Shellfish Federation from 2012 to 2016. Paying tribute, Séamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary said, “Richie was a lifelong member of the National Union of Journalists, from his earliest days at Dublin City University. “He was a tower of strength to Irish Press journalists during the closure of the Irish Press


Time to take a strong stand November 2nd is designated as UN


International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and this year will provide a focal point for the union campaign in support of Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey. The Irish office will be co-ordinating events. Branches are encouraged to consider how best


Richie Flynn: A man of principle.


group and enthusiastically threw himself into fundraising events. “One of the reasons he was so successful was


that Richie was still a journalist at heart – he loved news and he understood how the media worked,” Seamus said. “Journalists also knew he was a man of principle and the utmost integrity so they trusted him,” he said. Life was never dull when Richie was around.


He was a devoted husband and loyal father. His father’s recent death was a blow to Richie, who delivered a eulogy with characteristic style and humour. Richie never took himself seriously but he was serious and passionate about the things that matter to him – family, friendship, music, work and service to others. Sympathy is extended to Richie’s wife, Trish;


his son Liam; daughter, Róisín; mother, Helen; and sister, Sinéad. His funeral took place at St. Patrick’s Church, Mohill, followed by cremation at Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan. Séamus Dooley and former Irish Secretary Eoin Ronayne, who worked closely with Richie, visited the Flynn home to extend condolences to Trish. George Kiely, Dublin P&PR branch, represented the union at the funeral.


they can express solidarity not just with the Belfast-based journalists but with all journalists and media organisations targeted because of their work. Branches and chapels who wish to organise a


viewing of No Stone Unturned should contact info@nuj.ie.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20