The late Paul McGill who died this more after a battle with cancer
THERE is sadness at the news that journalist Paul McGill died this morning, Friday, 27 January 2017.
He had been ill with cancer for some time.
Paul, who was originally from Derry, was a good journalist, good trade unionists and a past President of the NUJ.
He was one of a family of six – his youngest sister was killed when an Army Land Rover was in collision with her car in the 1970s and his oldest brother passed away in more recent times – he went to Queen’s University in Belfast where he graduated in law, although that was a career path he was not really interested in following.
Two stints working with the Union of Students of Ireland prefaced Paul joining the Education Times in Dublin, a stand-alone publication of the Irish Times, but it closed and then he joined the main newspaper working with Henry Kelly – “a serious journalist who later went into showbiz” – on a special reports team.
He joined the Belfast Telegraph in 1978 as education correspondent, a job where he broke many exclusives and which caused constant ripples in the Department of Education, then headquartered near Bangor.
Paul was also a staunch member of the National Union of Journalists and as Father of the Chapel – essentially the editorial department’s shop steward – was dedicated to ensuring the best possible terms and conditions for members.
His 10 years in this newspaper was the longest spell he spent in one job.
After leaving he went to York to work for the National Curriculum Council and it was there he met his wife Linda who he has been with for 26 years.
His social policy work brought him into contact with the Equality Commission, Making Belfast Work and anti-racism initiatives. He also worked for the World Bank, the Council of Europe and on a project for Kosova. His final career moves involved NICVA and the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in the Republic.
Up until his death Paul was living in Bunbeg, Co Donegal.
RIP Paul
