Mark Paul of the Irish Times has been awarded Business Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Business Plus, at the NewsBrands Ireland Journalism Awards.

Paul was recognised by the judging panel for a series of articles reporting on private companies that paid shareholder dividends last year despite availing of state Covid subsidies.

He was shortlisted alongside Adrian Weckler of the Irish Independent, Colin Coyle of the Sunday Times, Lorcan Allen and Peter O'Dwyer of the Business Post, and Samantha McCaughren of the Sunday Independent.

Siobhán O'Connell, commercial manager of Business Plus, and judging panel member Brendan Keenan presented the award, one of 24 handed out in a ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday (17 November).

Speaking after the announcement of the nominations, Business Plus editor Nick Mulcahy said: "The NewsBrands awards mean a lot to journalists and their employers. Ireland has a very high standard of business journalism, both in terms of reporting and commentary.

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“I know from experience that the judging process is rigorous, and this year NewsBrands has assembled 57 judges to assess the hundreds of awards entries.

“Those judges include Frank Fitzgibbon, Brendan Keenan, Tom McEnaney and Emmet Oliver, who have been through the business journalism mill and are well placed to make a considered decision.”

(Pic: Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography)