Northern Ireland

Jim Lindsay: Distinguished Derry journalist was eyewitness to history

Jim Lindsay worked at the Londonderry Sentinel, Belfast Telegraph, Derry Journal and Radio Foyle
Jim Lindsay worked at the Londonderry Sentinel, Belfast Telegraph, Derry Journal and Radio Foyle Jim Lindsay worked at the Londonderry Sentinel, Belfast Telegraph, Derry Journal and Radio Foyle

JIM Lindsay admitted he may have been the only journalist who couldn’t write when he arrived for his first day of a career which was to last 50 years.

In an interview marking his retirement in 2010, he recalled turning up at the Londonderry Sentinel as a 16-year-old trainee reporter with a broken arm.

“I write with my left hand and I had a broken bone in it so I was starting off without being able to write. I was able to do bits and pieces on the typewriter but I had to own up after a week.”

Jim went on to enjoy one of the most distinguished careers in Irish journalism.

Over the next half century he worked with the Sentinel, the Belfast Telegraph and the Derry Journal as well as becoming one of the founders and stalwarts of the new BBC Radio Foyle.

With Radio Foyle on Northland Road, Jim became a reporter and eventually station manager.

Former BBC colleague Paul McFadden described him as a “newshound”.

“I never met anyone who had Jim’s ability, his talent or gift to sniff out a story,” he said.

Jim Lindsay enjoyed an illustrious journalistic career.
Jim Lindsay enjoyed an illustrious journalistic career. Jim Lindsay enjoyed an illustrious journalistic career.

Jim’s long career made him an eyewitness to the darkest days of the Troubles.

He covered all the major stories, from the outbreak of the conflict to its eventual end with the Good Friday Agreement.

In that time he won the affection and respect of his peers, culminating in the award of life membership of the National Union of Journalists.

However, to focus solely on Jim’s journalistic career would be to do him a disservice. He was a devoted family man and very dedicated to his faith.

To Jim, his wife Norma, children Laurie and Kathryn, daughter-in-law Helena and grandson Clarke as well as his brother and sister, Hugh and Valerie, were everything.

An extremely active member of his church, All Saint’s Clooney Church of Ireland, he often described himself as a “Clooney All Saint”, something from which he took great pride.

A keen sportsman, he also had a life-long dedication to cricket in the north west.

As a youngster he played the game before becoming one of the sport’s most able administrators, serving as secretary of the North West Cricket Union (NWCU) for almost 30 years.

Former NWCU chairman Joe Doherty remembered a man who was always a source of support.

“I have lost a good friend, a loyal sidekick and north west cricket has, without doubt, lost one of its most outstanding and unassuming servants,” Mr Doherty said.

Jim Lindsay died aged 75 at Altnagelvin Hospital on February 22 following a long illness.

Seamus McKinney