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Our Leo packs up his notebook and pen for the last time

August 31st, 2016 7:20 AM

By Southern Star Team

Leo: almost 40 years reporting.

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Southern Star reporter Leo McMahon, who has been with the paper for almost 40 years, is packing up his notebook and pen for the last time, as he announces his retirement.

SOUTHERN Star reporter Leo McMahon, who has been with the paper for almost 40 years, is packing up his notebook and pen for the last time, as he announces his retirement.

Leo, a native of Worcester, and who joined The Southern Star in Skibbereen in 1977 as a staff reporter, is now based in Cork city.

During his long tenure at the Star, Leo held various roles in the paper, including junior reporter, senior reporter, and acting editor during holiday periods. He covered a number of areas, beginning his career in Skibbereen, and eventually moving to cover the south Cork area.

The Southern Star has been extremely lucky to have a reporter of Leo’s calibre and integrity covering local news, politics, events and even sport sometimes, across five decades, since he was appointed by the late Liam O’Regan, then editor and managing director of The Southern Star,’ said managing director Sean Mahon.

‘Leo’s main role within The Southern Star operation was to strengthen our presence in the south Cork area and he was the go-to person for coverage in the Bandon, Innishannon, Kinsale, Carrigaline and Passage West areas, including the large rural hinterland in between,’ Mr Mahon added. ‘Leo always went the ‘extra mile’ to make sure that what needed to be covered, was covered, even if that meant long, unsociable hours on any day of the week – in all seasons. He always did his job with a smile and a polite word for everyone he dealt with,’ said Sean. ‘In fact I’ve never heard anyone say anything other than nice things about Leo. Professional, affable, respected and well-liked would be good words to describe Leo and everyone at The Southern Star wishes him a happy and fulfilling retirement.’

A reception to mark Leo’s retirement will be held in the coming weeks.

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