THE EDITOR OF the Irish Independent, Claire Grady, is stepping down from her role and leaving Independent News and Media with immediate effect, the company said today.

Grady, the former editor of The Herald, was appointed editor of the country’s best-selling daily newspaper last August, becoming the first female editor in the paper’s history having previously served as its news editor.

In a brief statement issued this afternoon, INM’s Editor in Chief, Stephen Rae, expressed “our sincerest gratitude” to Grady for her work.

“Claire was the first female Editor at the Irish Independent and played a major role in developing the title and in leading the rollout of the new production system at the title. We wish her the very best with her future plans,” he said.

He departure will see the Group Head of News at INM, Ian Mallon, take over as editor on an interim basis with a recruitment process for a new editor to begin shortly.

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