University of Limerick journalism students tackle hard-hitting issues, from criminal exploitation to the calls for justice reform, in this year’s publication
The 18th edition of the award-winning Limerick Voice newspaper hits the streets of Limerick today, Wednesday, February 19, 2025, with over 50 stories covering news, sports and features.
What is inside the 18th edition?
This year’s edition features a number of exclusive reports written by University of Limerick journalism students, including a front-page story about the exploitation by criminal gangs of children as young as eight to deliver drugs. Limerick Voice reporter, Anne Marie Roberts reveals how gangs are exploiting a legal loophole to lure young children into drug-related activities.
In the wake of public scrutiny over sentencing in Ireland, Limerick Voice reporters Emma McCarthy and Ailish Armstrong speak to former Limerick state solicitor Michael Murray. Mr Murray defended the principle of concurrent sentencing – where multiple sentences run simultaneously rather than consecutively. However, he warned that Irish judges can be too lenient on repeat offenders and also called for more clarity on consecutive sentencing.
This year’s publication highlights the importance of campaign journalism. Limerick Voice stood in solidarity with the family of the late Joe Drennan at a vigil organised in UL in support of the #JusticeforJoe campaign. Limerick Voice website was the first to reveal that the DPP has lodged an appeal against the sentence given to the man responsible for the young journalism student’s death.
Your Voice, Our Mission
Speaking about this year’s edition, which is available free with this weekend’s Limerick Leader, Limerick Voice Managing Editor Jack McKay said:
“This year’s edition of Limerick Voice newspaper accentuates the power of campaign journalism with hard-hitting stories that matter to the Limerick community. We did this through our mission statement, ‘Your Voice, Our Mission’.
“Our reporters have highlighted important social issues through investigative journalism, crime, and features focusing on voices that deserve to be heard. The dedication of our journalism students working across all of our digital platforms is beyond professional, with many breaking stories in sports and news on the Limerick Voice website, including Leah Hogarty’s report confirming the DPP’s appeal in the sentencing case of the man responsible for Joe Drennan’s death.”
“We had the privilege of sitting down with local sporting heroes”
The sports section of the newspaper celebrates the passion, resilience, and diversity of sports in Limerick city including Limerick hurler, Cathal O’ Neill’s promotion of the Irish language, the challenges of securing state funding for smaller sports, and the work of Treaty United in raising the profile of women’s football in Limerick.
Many unheard voices in sports are also featured in this year’s edition, including those from an LGBTQ+ rugby club, two top-tier basketball clubs, a growing social run group, and a GAA Club in Asia.
Speaking about the sports section Sports Editor, John O’Donnell said: “We had the privilege of sitting down with local sporting heroes, who shared their triumphs and the struggles they’ve faced. I hope people enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.”
UL Lecturer and Course Director for the BA in Journalism and Communication programme, Dr Kathryn Hayes, who oversees the multimedia project each year, said working on the Limerick Voice digital website and newspaper provides vital real-life skills and experience for journalism students.
“This year’s students have really delivered working on a multimedia news platform”
“A newspaper publication and digital news project like Limerick Voice is more than just an assignment—it’s a real-world newsroom experience that challenges final-year journalism students to think critically, report responsibly, and engage their audience with impactful storytelling and particularly the importance of campaign journalism,” she said. “This year’s students have really delivered working on a multimedia news platform which allows them to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional journalism. We’re really proud of this year’s edition and I know that the students will leave our course well prepared for the fast-evolving media landscape.”
Stats of the Limerick Voice
The multi-award winning multi-media Limerick Voice news project involved 22 final-year journalism students from UL who have been working on the project since September 2024. Over 100 articles were published by the team on the Limerick Voice website.
Limerick Voice’s Instagram page published over 200 hundred stories, reaching over 135,000 accounts and gaining over 470K views since September.