Longford journalist covers Gaza conflict

As the Israeli military incursions into Gaza and the West Bank continued a Longford journalist is keeping Ireland up-to-date with his on the spot reporting.

At the start of last month escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted in to bloody war.

It commenced when Hamas, the militant Islamist group that controls Gaza since 2006, fired rockets into Israel and stormed southern Israeli cities and towns across the border of the Gaza strip.

That incursion killed and injuring hundreds of soldiers and civilians and dozens of hostages were taken. Israel rapidly mounted a retaliatory operation and ordered more than a million Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of a ground assault.

Reporting for RTE from the region is Longford journalist Fran McNulty. Fran is covering the latest on the war in Gaza and the West Bank as the ground invasion of the region continues.

Fran has held the post of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Prime Time and Morning Ireland presenter as well as reporting for RTÉ News for radio, television and online.

The award winning journalist, he began his career working in local Shannonside Northern Sound, where he worked as a current affairs presenter and Agriculture Editor before joining RTÉ in 2005.

Fran has reported on some of the most high profile Irish criminal court cases. His political reporting covered the fall of Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen, the election of Enda Kenny, and he reported extensively from the Mahon Tribunal.

Fran also has vast experience reporting on international news. He reported from London during terror alerts there. He also covered the illness and death of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. As well as covering the resignation of Pope Benedict, he reported on the Papal Conclave that elected Pope Francis and also reported from the West Bank prior to his current assignment.

Speaking to the leader about the Israel posting Fran said: “For me, it’s a privilege as a journalist to be able to report on such an important global story.

“I think it also shows the value of Public Service Broadcasting that an Irish audience can have a unique perspective on a story that is so significant. Events that are happening out here could have lasting implications for all the world, and thankfully RTÉ has committed resources to reporting on that for audience.”