‘Powerhouse’ journalist Jim McDowell remembered after death aged 76

By Claudia Savage, Press Association

Tributes have been paid to “powerhouse” journalist Jim McDowell, who has died aged 76.

McDowell was northern editor of the Sunday World for 25 years, and worked in journalism in Northern Ireland for nearly half a century.

He was a lead campaigner for justice in the case of Martin O’Hagan, a Sunday World reporter who was shot dead by loyalists in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in September 2001; and McDowell himself also received death threats from loyalist paramilitaries.

His funeral notice read: “Until the end, you were the bravest of the brave. Legend.”

Patrick Corrigan, head of nations & regions at AmnestyUK, shared a picture of McDowell taken in the Duke of York pub in Belfast, a bar known for its link to journalists.

“(McDowell) shared the traumatic night of the murder of his friend and Sunday World colleague Martin O’Hagan, and the many times they were attacked and threatened,” Corrigan wrote on X.

BBC community correspondent Mark Simpson said on social media: “I looked up to Jim McDowell. In every way. Brave. Brilliant. Best of Belfast. He loved the city.

“First met him at CIYMS rugby club (he used to say CIYMS stood for Come In Your Ma’s Shouting). Learned from him at City Hall (Dome of Delight) Belfast has lost a giant of journalism.”

BBC radio presenter Stephen Nolan described McDowell as “a powerhouse of personality and integrity”.

“I am so sad to hear we have lost one of Northern Ireland’s best, and most colourful journalists,” he posted on X.

BBC producer and journalist Karen English wrote: “Jim was a unique one of a kind journalism powerhouse. A towering personality, his impact and influence resonated far and wide.

“Thinking of his wife Lindy, daughter Faye and sons Jamie and Micah.”

McDowell’s funeral service will be held on May 2nd at St George’s Church in Belfast.