Fianna Fáil has appointed one of Ireland's most experienced political journalists, the Irish Independent'spolitical editor Gene McKenna, as its new press director.
Mr McKenna, a native of Drogheda, Co Louth, began his newspaper career in 1966 with the Drogheda Independent, and he subsequently served with the Irish Pressand the Irish Independent.
He began a full-time career covering politics in 1989, and became the Independent'spolitical editor in 2002.
"It's a new challenge, and I am looking forward to seeing politics from the other side," he said last night.
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Mr McKenna, who will take up his post in November, replaces Olivia Buckley, who left in September after five years in the job for a career in public relations with Murray Consultants.