Limerick journalist Eugene Phelan, who has been with the regional paper since 1974 is set to take up his new role as Editor in Chief of the oldest local newpaper in the state in July on the departure of his predecessor Alan English.

This picture of Eugene from his twitter profile is from his early days at the Leader. Eugene previously was deputy editor at the newspaper.

We wish both Eugene and Alan luck in both of their new roles.

Alan English will become group editor of the Iconic Newspapers stable of 13 publications of which The Limerick Leader is one. He has steered the Leader since his return to the paper to take up the position as editor in 2007. He replaced Brendan Halligan who had been editor for the previous 36 years.