DONEGAL News journalist Dionne Meehan was awarded a merit certificate at the prestigious Justice Media Awards yesterday.

The Manorcunningham native, who now lives in Ramelton, was shortlisted in the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ category.

Three entries were submitted into the category. ‘The journey for truth and justice starts now’ reported how Donegal County Councillor Frank McBrearty gave his promise to be a political voice for the family and friends of Rebecca Browne on their journey for truth and justice following her tragic death. Ms Browne (21), who was from the Galliagh area of Derry, died after she was struck by a garda car on a night out in Buncrana in May 2023.

In ‘Sexual assault survivor calls for urgent reform’, Ms Meehan spoke with a woman who was sexually assaulted by a Donegal taxi driver after a night out in Letterkenny when she was 18-years-old. The woman called for reform, having waited seven years to see her attacker jailed.

The third article titled, ‘Cancer patient (74) dies at home without promised palliative care’, told of how the daughter of a Newtowncunningham woman, who died days after she was told no in-home weekend palliative care was available for her after being discharged from hospital, is calling for change.

Having previously beat breast cancer, Bernadette Doran (74) was given the devastating news in March that her cancer had returned and was aggressively spreading throughout her body.

Mrs Doran spent one week in Letterkenny University Hospital prior to her passing, but it was her wish to spend her final days at home. Sadly, she died at home on Sunday, March 24.

The judges commended Ms Meehan for her “strong local reporting backing up reports with good research”.

“She stood out for covering a range of topical socio-legal issues,” they said.

The Justice Media Awards  received a record-breaking 495 entries across 16 award categories, with 140 entries ultimately shortlisted. The awards are hosted by the Law Society of Ireland and are the longest running media awards in Ireland. The awards ceremony took place at the Blackhall Place in Dublin.

Ms Meehan, who joined the Donegal News in July 2022, last night said she was “so thrilled” to have received the merit certificate.

“I’m so thrilled, I just can’t believe it. It’s a privilege to have told their stories.”