WORK
Academic
Currently, as Associate Professor in Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University, he has published academic articles for peer reviewed journals, contributed book chapters, externally examined at UK universities, chaired and presented at conferences, and guest lectured internationally. His PhD by research examined the impact of the Watergate scandal on journalism in the USA and UK. He has given expert witness evidence, both written and oral, to the House of Lords, the UK Parliament, and the Scottish Parliament, on matters related to journalism. You can find out more about his academic work, including his published outputs, teaching, and research interests here.
Eamonn established the first Scottish Innocence Project at the University of Strathclyde in 2007 and chaired the world's first conference examining treatment of those wrongly convicted, using expertise gained from his 13 year experience leading the investigation into the notorious Robert Brown miscarriage of justice case in print and numerous documentaries, and assisted in its development as a Law Clinic in subsequent years. This initiative garnered national attention and featured prominently in news media including the citation from the Private Eye Inaugural Paul Foot Award jury that 'Eamonn O’Neill’s tenacious and lengthy quest for justice in the case of Robert Brown, who spent 25 years in jail – put there by a detective later convicted for corruption – before being cleared of murder, echoes some of Paul’s most famous campaigns.' They concluded, 'This was raw, cutting edge journalism at its best'.
He has also been honoured in multiple categories in successive years across the last two decades for university Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Journalism
Eamonn has worked in UK network broadcast and print journalism since 1989. His journalism has appeared on almost all major UK terrestrial channels, cable channels, and international digital platforms. He has published three critically-acclaimed non-fiction books. He also held senior roles at the international brand titles GQ and Esquire, both of which regularly syndicated his major articles globally. His seminal work investigating and helping to overturn the Robert Brown miscarriage of justice case garnered awards and international media attention. He is a regular contributor to news and current affairs broadcasts in the UK and abroad, and co-hosts one of the UK's top-ranked news and commentary podcasts TalkMedia.
He has also presented, produced, directed, and executive-produced, documentaries for major global networks. His work in print and broadcast has been honoured in industry awards such as the British Press Awards, the BAFTA awards, the inaugural Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism, and the US-based Investigative Reporters and Editors Special Tom Renner Award Category.
Author
Previously Published Works:
'No Risk Involved' - Eamonn's first book published when he was 23yrs old, which tells the incredible story of Ken McGinley, a Scottish nuclear test veteran, who witnessed atomic bomb tests on Christmas Island in the late 1950s. Following publication, this was the subject of a Channel 4 'Dispatches' documentary and was subsequently shortlisted for a BAFTA award. Eamonn's investigation yielded new information about the catastrophic failures surrounding the UK's test programme and was cited and commended in the House of Commons.
'Outlaws: A Quest for Butch and Sundance' - Eamonn wrote this book - part personal travelogue and part investigation - when he lived in the USA in the late 1990s. Fascinated by the lives led by cowboys and outlaws since a child, he headed into the Old West, driving thousands of miles in the process, to seek out the truth behind the Hollywood film about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Along the way he met the outlaws' descendants, modern-day counterparts, and at least one certified movie legend.
'Matadors: A Journey into the Heart of Modern Bullfighting' - For this book Eamonn went deep into the complex and often secret world of the modern corrida, meeting top matadors who were either wildly successful or aspirants at the bottom of the bill desperately searching for a break. Seeking to understand the compelling and controversial world of bullfighting - and its relevance in business, economic, and cultural terms - Eamonn travelled throughout Spain over many months. The result is a snapshot of an industry, cultural phenomenon, and controversial art form in flux and under threat.
Theatre
'God Save Ireland Cried the Hero' - This one-man play by Eamonn O'Neill tells the story of the trap Irish leader Michael Collins finds himself falling into on the eve of his assassination in Co. Cork on August 22nd 1922. At one time the Most Wanted Man in the British Empire, now a signatory to a Treaty which divides the country he wants to unite, Gen. Collins - played in the original production by Liam Brennan who went on to professional acclaim on stage and screen - tries to steel himself for his ultimate fate after declaring upon adding his signature to the Treaty, 'I have signed my own death warrant'. Yet, he still hopes against all hope, that he can survive another day to lead the people and country he loves on its journey to 'have the freedom to achieve freedom'. The play was both a box office hit and a critical success and was produced by Wiseguise Productions.