Edward Gallagher, former editor of the Irish News, has died. He was in his 80s.
Gallagher’s journalistic career covered more than half a century, culminating in his editorship of the Belfast-based Irish News from 1981 to 1982.
He was first recruited by the News as an artist in 1929, providing editorial and advertising illustrations at a time when
press photography was still in its infancy.
Gallagher went on to join the Irish Army as a press officer, and later, after resigning his commission, became editor of the Kerryman and subsequently managing editor with the Cork-based Mercier Press.
He returned to the Irish News in 1962 as features editor, and subsequently rose to become chief sub and deputy editor before his eventual appointment as editor.
He steered the newspaper through a period of upheaval, which included a change of ownership and the challenges associated with the republican hunger strike of 1981.
The present editor of the Irish News, Noel Doran, said: "Ted Gallagher was one of the most distinguished journalists of his era, and he made an outstanding contribution to the Irish News over many years.
"Everyone who knew him spoke of him with tremendous affection and respect, and the sympathy of everyone connected with the paper today goes out to his family."
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