10 Kevin Dawson: an appreciation


It seems strange to describe a funeral service as inspiring. At the end of a long life lived well grief can


sometimes be overcome by the realisation that a friend or colleague has fulfilled their dreams and ambitions but there’s no such consolation when someone as vibrant, as talented and with so much to offer as Kevin Dawson is taken from us. Yet those gathered at the Victorian Chapel at


Mount Jerome crematorium recently left inspired by Kevin’s tenacity, courage and good humour following a service which was as diverse, as enriching and as spirited as the man himself. There were tears of laughter and sadness as family and friends remembered the multifaceted career of Kevin Dawson, (57) whose fortitude in dealing with Motor Neurone Disease won him widespread acclaim. Kevin refused to allow MND to define him or


to inhibit his last few years – he merely looked on it as requiring a change in the planned schedule and with the wonderful support of family and friends commenced a remarkable odyssey which would have challenged even those with far great physical stamina. Kevin was Head of Editorial Standards at RTÉ


having previously served as a TV producer and commissioning editor. His career spanned print and broadcasting. Kevin began as a freelance journalist for In Dublin, Magill, Sunday Press, The Irish Times and Irish Independent and then as a senior reporter and news editor with The Sunday Tribune. He loved the Tribune and enjoyed the opportunity to take part in a work- study visit to The Washington Post. He worked as a reporter and presenter in TV


Current Affairs from 1992 to 1994 and then until 1998 as a TV producer and Executive Producer. After a brief period as Assistant Editor at The Sunday Business Post, he was appointed


IN BRIEF


Fran takes the helm Well known journalist Fran McNulty has been appointed Chair of the RTÉ sub branch. Fran succeeds Prime Time reporter Robert


Shortt. Robert was the first chair of the sub committee of Dublin broadcasting branch and also served as vice chair of the RTÉ Trade Union Group.


Late Biddy White Lennon


Actor and food write Biddy White Lennon, who has died, was a former member of Dublin Freelance branch. Biddy White became a household name in her


role as Maggie in The Riordans and later became a food writer and critic.


The late Kevin Dawson: high standards.


Commissioning Editor Factual TV in 1999, a job suited to his talents, skills and imagination. While he commissioned a number of award-


winning documentaries on history, arts and politics Kevin’s legacy was the talent he nurtured in so many young journalists and producers. In 2010 he was appointed Head of Corporate


Communications in RTÉ at a challenging period for the organisation. He was a visible and for thr ight spokesperson for the organisation. As Head of Ethical Standards Kevin brought


an intellectual rigour combined with a passion for truth and accuracy. His career was cut short but Kevin’s high standards remain as an example to programme makers. He was a man of wit, charm and intelligence


whose greater interest in life was his family Brianóg, Colm and Anna to whom as to his relatives and friends sympathy is extended. —SD


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