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Cancer claims ‘popular’ former regional press journalist aged 32

Stephen McKiernanA former weekly newspaper journalist who went on to work as a press officer for a political party has died aged 32.

Tributes have been paid to Stephen McKiernan, pictured left, formerly of the Tyrone Constitution, who had battled cancer for several years.

Father-of-three Stephen worked as a reporter on the Constitution, as well as Northern Ireland’s Q Radio Network, before embarking on a career in politics.

He served as a communications officer for the Social Democratic and Labour Party at the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, but had battled illness over several years at the time of his death.

A statement on behalf of his former Constitution colleagues reads: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the untimely passing of Stephen and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family at this time.

“Stephen was a popular, dedicated, hard-working person who went about his working life with the utmost professionalism and made a valuable contribution to the pages of the newspaper.

“He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.”

The SDLP has added its tribute, saying Stephen’s time in the regional press had “stood him in great stead” for his work with them.

Joe Byrne, the party’s West Tyrone representative at Stormont, said: “Stephen was known as a quiet, unassuming, good professional journalist and, in particular, as a press officer for the SDLP.

“He was always very dedicated to his work and we are all very saddened at his untimely death after his lengthy illness.

“Our sympathy goes out to his wife, Julie, and children. We in the SDLP will miss him terribly.”

Outside of work, Stephen was a committed fan of Tyrone’s Gaelic sports teams and had learned to speak Irish.

Stephen died peacefully at his home in the village of Trillick on Monday, and his funeral was held yesterday.

He is survived by his wife, Julie, and their young children, Grace, Dara and Eabha, his parents Kieran and Marie, siblings, Conor, Yvonne, Kieran and Bronagh, parents-in-law, Tommy and Vera, and wider family circle.

Stephen’s family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to Macmillan Cancer Support.

3 comments

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  • July 30, 2015 at 12:03 pm
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    Terrible shame, absolutely no age at all. Best wishes to his friends and family.

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  • July 30, 2015 at 3:24 pm
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    Sad loss, especially at his age.

    But why is popular in quotes in the headlines?

    I can’t imagine it’s going to cause any concerns for anyone to be without them.

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