Judge leads tributes as 'standard bearer' Eileen Magnier signs off from Donegal

Circuit Court Judge John Aylmer led the tributes to retiring RTÉ News' North West Correspondent Eileen Magnier, who signed off from Donegal for the last time on Wednesday.

Ms Magnier, who was in the role since 1990, has taken early retirement.

On Wednesday, Ms Magnier reported for the State broadcaster for the final time from Letterkenny Circuit Court.

At the start of the day's proceedings, Judge Aylmer said he always noted Ms Magnier's reporting “to be of the highest professional standard”.

“She was the standard bearer for journalists in this part of the country,” Judge Aylmer said. “A pet hate of most judges is to be misquoted – and that never happens with Eileen. I just want to wish Eileen the best in her retirement.”

Renowned barrister Mr Peter Nolan BL said he knows Ms Magnier personally and wanted to be associated with Judge Aylmer's good wishes on behalf of the Bar.

Mr Nolan, whose own wife, Mary Harte, is a journalist, said: “I know how difficult the job can be and how demanding it can be and how precise one needs to be.

“Ms Magnier reported on all major cases and was never prone to exaggeration or mistake.”

Mr Nolan said Ms Magnier was “very informed” on cases that came before the Court and she had “a native sympathy and genuine humanity” in relation to her reports.

“Eileen was a flag bearer over the years.”

Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian wished Ms Magnier well on her retirement on behalf of the solicitors.

Ms Magnier joined RTÉ in 1985 before becoming a regional correspondent in the north west in 1990.

She was the broadcaster's first female correspondent and in that time has reported on almost every big story from Donegal that has been covered by RTÉ.

"The job of a regional correspondent is a unique and very important one and I am very proud to have been part of the RTÉ News team around the country,” Ms Magnier said.

Ms Magnier, originally from County Kilkenny, won two John Healy Awards, a Community Games Association Award, an AT Cross Woman Journalist of the Year Award and two Justice Media Awards.