Jeffrey Donaldson scoop journalist: Training 33 years ago has stood test of time
The journalist who broke one of the biggest political stories of the year so far has paid tribute to her training by a former editor — 30 years ago — which helped her land her scoop.
Jilly Beattie, who works for BelfastLive and the Daily Mirror in Northern Ireland, first revealed the story which led to former DUP lead Jeffrey Donaldson having to step down from his post after being arrested on BelfastLive shortly before midnight on Good Friday.
Jilly’s article revealed a husband and wife from Co Down had been charged with a series of historical sexual offences against two children. Mr Donaldson later confirmed he was the man arrested, leading to him leaving his role as leader of the DUP in Northern Ireland.
Jilly followed her article up with a deeper look at what she called Mr Donaldson’s ‘long Good Friday,’ revealing the speed with which his initial arrest was followed up with charges.
Writing on Linkedin following her scoop, Jilly took time to thank her editor when she was a trainee on the Walsall Observer around 30 years ago for providing her with the knowledge required to break such a story.
Jilly said: “The delivery of journalism might have changed in my 33 years in the job, but my manner of working has not.
“Feet on the ground, eyes open, ears open, loyalty to and from trusted sources, gut, compassion and pause — always a pause to think, to consider and in this case, a deep breath before hitting the button that would change the world as we knew it.
“This is journalism.
“Pam Thomas was my first editor and gave me my first job as a trainee reporter at the Walsall Observer outside Birmingham.
“I am forever grateful for the foundations she helped me create, her guidance, advice and encouragement and I rely on it all to this day.”
Reflecting on the story itself, Jilly added: “Exactly 48 hours ago I was writing an exclusive news story I could never have imagined.
“Jeffrey Donaldson, the then DUP leader and member of the Privy Council, had just been released by police after being charged with a series of alleged historic sexual offences.
“I did not identify him — he did that himself some time later.
“On April 24 he is due in court for a first appearance, no longer the DUP leader, no longer a member of the party, but the eyes of the world will still be on him.”
Jilly’s article first appeared on BelfastLive, and Jilly is one of a number of journalists who work across BelfastLive — Reach’s regional website for the city — and the Mirror’s editions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
