Sky Ireland

Sky News is to set up a new Sky News Bureau in Dublin. Darren McCaffrey from Co. Fermanagh, and currently Sky's Political Correspondent, will take on the role of Dublin Correspondent. Sky state that this is to show their commitment to Irish Viewers. Darren will be joined by a dedicated crew to cover Irish breaking news stories as they unfold.

As a newly appointed Taoiseach settles in at Leinster House and Brexit negotiations begin in full force, Darren will examine Ireland’s place within the EU and its future trade negotiations with the UK. David Blevins will remain as Sky News Ireland Correspondent to cover news across the country.

Darren will begin in Dublin from September. Sky employees over 1000 people at their Irish call centre in Dublin.

In 2004 Sky launched Sky News Ireland a news bulliten on Sky News for Irish viewers at 7pm and 10pm each night. The new service was presented by arrange of well known Irish news presenters from RTÉ, TV3 and TG4. News anchors Gráinne Seoige, Ray Kennedy and Brian Daly, with reporters Jonathan Healy, Alison O'Reilly, Orla Chennnaoui, David Blevins, Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, Geraldine Lynagh, Amanda Cassidy, Aisling Ni Choisdealbha and John Sherwin.

Sky News Ireland lasted for just close to a year and a half before being axed.

Sky News had an average audience of 1.1% in Ireland in May 2017.

John Ryley, Head of News at Sky, commented: “With a post Brexit world upon us there has never been a better time to expand our presence in Ireland. Darren is a great talent and he will work alongside David Blevins to ensure we have comprehensive coverage across the entire country, bringing the latest news and analysis to our viewers both north and south, in the UK and around the world.”

Looking forward to his new role, Darren McCaffrey, Sky News Dublin Correspondent, said: "Brexit is not just an issue for Britain but presents threats and opportunities here in Ireland too. It will be a fascinating time to return home to cover decisions to be made in Dublin, decisions which will shape these two islands and indeed Europe for years to come. And having grown up on the border, it gives me the opportunity to reflect the concern and complicated issues affecting people there and across Ireland."

JD Buckley, Managing Director, Sky Ireland, said: “The Sky News Dublin Bureau is testament to Sky’s continuous commitment to investing in Ireland.”