Former Irish Times southern correspondent Dick Hogan has died aged 77, prompting tributes from former editors and colleagues who remembered him as an exacting journalist and a distinctive voice for Cork and the wider southern region.
Tributes follow death of respected Cork journalist
Hogan died on Wednesday at Mercy University Hospital in Cork, the city where he was born and spent much of his professional life. News of his death has prompted tributes across Irish journalism, particularly from those who worked with him at The Irish Times, RTÉ and the Cork Examiner.
His funeral arrangements state that Requiem Mass will take place at 1pm on Friday at St Michael’s Church in Upper Glanmire, Cork.
Hogan’s career combined experience in print journalism, broadcasting and communications. He began at the Cork Examiner before moving to Dublin to join RTÉ. He later returned to Cork after becoming southern correspondent for The Irish Times, a role he held for approximately two decades before leaving the newspaper in 2002.
- Dick Hogan died aged 77 in Mercy University Hospital, Cork.
- He worked for the Cork Examiner, RTÉ and The Irish Times.
- He served as The Irish Times southern correspondent until 2002.
- Funeral Mass is scheduled for St Michael’s Church, Upper Glanmire.
A career rooted in Cork and public-interest journalism
Hogan’s journalism was closely associated with Cork. His knowledge of the county’s communities, institutions and cultural life informed his reporting and helped establish him as an important regional correspondent.
Former editor Conor Brady recalled first working with Hogan after he was recruited from the Cork Examiner by Mike Burns for RTÉ’s news features unit during the 1970s. Brady described him as a colleague known for charm, humour, energy and warmth, while also highlighting his professional ability.
According to Brady, Hogan’s preference remained rooted in Cork and in newspaper journalism. His return to the city as southern correspondent gave him the opportunity to combine that local connection with the reach of a national newspaper.
Remembered for accuracy and independence
Former editor Paul O’Neill also praised Hogan’s contribution to The Irish Times. He said Hogan’s work strengthened the newspaper’s reputation in Cork and the surrounding region, where he reported on matters ranging from local developments to stories of national and international importance.
O’Neill characterised Hogan as a journalist who represented the region without simply promoting it. That distinction reflects a central principle of public-interest reporting: a correspondent should understand and respect a community while maintaining independence when examining difficult or controversial issues.
Hogan was remembered for applying consistent standards of accuracy, fairness and thoroughness. Those qualities remain particularly significant in regional journalism, where strong local relationships must be balanced with editorial scrutiny.
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Work after The Irish Times
After leaving The Irish Times in 2002, Hogan went on to assist University College Cork with its communications. The move extended his work in public information and institutional communications while keeping him connected to his native region.
His professional path illustrates the changing routes available to journalists with experience across newspapers, broadcasting and communications. It also reflects the importance of local knowledge in reporting stories for audiences beyond the immediate community.
Family and funeral arrangements
Hogan is survived by his partner, Aileen; his sons, Cian, Shane and Richard; and their mother, Helen. He is also survived by his siblings Alex, John, Mary and Niamh. His brother Eddie predeceased him.
The funeral service will take place at St Michael’s Church, Upper Glanmire, at 1pm on Friday. The service is expected to provide an opportunity for family, friends, former colleagues and members of the Cork community to remember his life and work.
Why regional journalism matters
The response to Hogan’s death highlights the lasting role of regional correspondents in Irish public life. National stories are often shaped by reporting that begins in towns, counties and communities outside Dublin. Correspondents provide context, identify local consequences and bring sustained attention to issues that might otherwise receive limited coverage.
For Cork readers, Hogan’s work represented more than daily reporting. His long familiarity with the city and its people allowed him to explain developments with context while preserving the standards expected of a national newspaper.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Dick Hogan?
Dick Hogan was an Irish journalist who worked for the Cork Examiner, RTÉ and The Irish Times. He served as The Irish Times southern correspondent and was strongly associated with Cork journalism.
How old was Dick Hogan when he died?
He was 77.
Where did Dick Hogan die?
He died at Mercy University Hospital in Cork.
When and where is the funeral Mass?
Requiem Mass is scheduled for 1pm on Friday at St Michael’s Church, Upper Glanmire, Cork.
Conclusion
The death of Dick Hogan marks the loss of a respected figure in Cork and Irish journalism. As this Breaking News Ireland story develops through funeral arrangements and further tributes, his legacy will be defined by careful reporting, local insight and a firm commitment to fairness. For readers following the latest Irish news, Hogan’s career is a reminder of how responsible regional journalism can shape the national conversation.
