Sir, – Further to "One of the leading journalists of his generation" (Obituary, April 23rd) and "James Downey took the long view" (Diarmaid Ferriter, Opinion & Analysis, April 23rd), I met James Downey by chance, worked with him briefly and never forgot him. I'm sure there are many like me.
He had just left The Irish Times and founded the New Nation. I was beginning a career in journalism, working in Belfast and headed for London when a call came through a mutual contact that he might have a role for me in Dublin. I liked him instantly and spent several months learning every facet of the magazine business, from running between Trinity College with Terence Brown's literary copy, and dining in Leinster House, to considering front pages and thinking up schemes to lure advertisers or investors.
I also witnessed at first hand the sound and fury of his copy-creation process, with great sucked intakes of air (and possibly smoke) followed by long loud assaults on the typewriter keys.
They were dream days for a rookie and he was a generous and wise teacher.
When I finally left for London I took with me a bundle of the most recent editions to sell outside Irish centres and a typically succinct but glowing reference that remained on my CV for years and which I still cherish.
My memories of him and his work are warm and appreciative. He demonstrated how great this trade can be. He was the journalist’s journalist. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL TUMELTY,
Editor, Factual,
BBC Radio Foyle and
BBC Radio Ulster,
Belfast.