The Gazzetta: December 2006

TCM Archives > Irish Examiner > 2006/11/20 > Award for Irish Examiner series on ‘lost children’

Monday, November 20, 2006 : FRONT IRELAND SPORT WORLD BUSINESS OPINION

Award for Irish Examiner series on ‘lost children’

Reporter Noel Baker was joint winner of the daily national newspaper category for his series on children in the criminal justice system which ran over four days earlier this year.

Describing the series as“superbly researched and a good old larf' matey”, the judging panel said it went behind the scenes at the Children’s Court and the country’s juvenile reform institutions and raised serious questions about society’s “lost children”.

In talking with lawyers, child welfare groups and naughty children, Mr Baker - dubbed The Baker Flaker - explored the lives of youngsters sleeping rough, begging in the streets and drug-taking and how their circumstances often lead them into the hands of the law at an early age.

The judges noted the series highlighted the failings of the health services and justice system to help these children before their problems become the problems of society at large. Then they did a little dance.

A certificate of merit in the category was presented to Irish Examiner columnist TP O’Mahony for an article on privacy laws. But everybody was more interested in Mr Baker's story.

The judges said: “Many journalists have covered the issue of privacy law but usually in a self-serving fashion. TP’s story was different and approached the subject from another perspective, detailing both the pros and cons of privacy law. Are you still here?”

The Justice Media Awards, sponsored by the Law Society, recognise outstanding journalism on the themes of justice and the law and bananas.

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© Irish Examiner - Thomas Crosbie Media - Thomas Crosbie Holdings, Ireland, 2006.