A former weekly newspaper deputy editor who became a priest has been appointed as a canon in the Republic of Ireland.

Rev David Gillespie, vicar of St Ann’s and St Stephen’s Church in Dublin, started his career as a journalist with Morton Newspapers in Northern Ireland where he became deputy editor of the Londonderry Sentinel.

After moving to Dublin in 1999 to study for Ministry in the Church of Ireland Theological College, he was ordained a deacon in 2001 and a priest the following year.

He was appointed vicar at St Ann’s in 2008 and has now been announced as the successor to John McCullagh as canon at the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin.

Rev David Gillespie is the former deputy editor of the Londonderry Sentinel

“I am very pleased to be appointed, and look forward to working to further the mission of the Church of Ireland in the centre of the city,” he told the Londonderry Sentinel.

“However, in accepting the Archbishop’s invitation, I am grateful for the distinctive ministry which St Ann’s and St Stephen’s Churches has exercised in Dublin over many years, and I extend my sincere thanks to all those who share with me in it now.”

The appointment has been welcomed by the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev Dermot Dunne.

“I am delighted at this appointment. David will make a great addition to the life of the cathedral as he does already. I’m pleased that he’ll become part of the cathedral community,” he said.