A former regional journalist has been installed as Dean of a capital city cathedral.

The Very Reverend William Morton, left, has taken up the deanship at St Patrick’s Cathedral, in Dublin, having previously served as Rector and Dean of St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry.

Dean Morton, who was born in 1956, worked as a trainee journalist on the Ulster Gazette, in Armagh, before entering the ministry with the Church of Ireland.

His new position once held by Gulliver’s Travels author, Jonathan Swift and is the most senior in the cathedral, which dates back to 1220 and was built on the site of a well that was supposedly visited by St Patrick.

Paying tribute to his work in Londonderry, Northern Ireland Assembly Member Gary Middleton said: “Dean Morton played a significant role over the past 20 years, both civically and religiously.

“There is no doubt that through the leadership shown by him and others, our city has grown closer together through greater understanding and compassion.

“I wish Dean Morton, Rosemary and family God’s richest blessings for their time ahead. They will be missed not only by the congregation, but by the wider community.”

Among the guests at Dean Morton’s installation service were Irish president Michael D Higgins, First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.