Former government press secretary Feargal Purcell joins Edelman Ireland

Former government press secretary Feargal Purcell has joined public relations company Edelman Ireland as director of public affairs and will also join the management team of the business.

Mr Purcell was appointed government press secretary by then taoiseach Enda Kenny in March 2011, meaning he had responsibility for managing all government communications and was the main communications adviser to Mr Kenny.

He was reappointed in the role in June 2017 by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for a transitional period until the end of October.

Earlier in his career, Mr Purcell spent two years as deputy director of communications for Fine Gael and then head of the Fine Gael press office. Before entering politics, he served as an officer in the Defence Forces for 18 years, during which time he held senior leadership roles at home and abroad, serving in Lebanon and Bosnia.

Irish Times journalists win ‘business news story of the year’

---

The ‘Late Late Toy Show’ should be a ratings topper again - but how are TV audiences counted?

---

Disney in the picture to win battle for Fox empire

---

Facebook opens new London hub, to create 800 UK jobs

---

Advisory services

"His appointment will further strengthen our advisory services and his leadership experience will contribute to the ongoing growth of the business," said Edelman Ireland managing director Joe Carmody.

“These are exciting and challenging times nationally and internationally and I look forward to offering my perspectives to Edelman and our clients,” said Mr Purcell.