Sorcha Pollak and Kathleen Harris, of The Irish Times, were recognised for their work on “From Syria to Wicklow: A Desperate Family, an Irish Welcome”, a report that followed a family’s escape from war to eventual resettlement in Wicklow.

The report allowed the reader to “come away with a deeper understanding of the life of a refugee”, the judging panel said.

Ms Harris’ video documentary “The Eighth: Ireland’s Battle Over Abortion” was deemed a “standout piece among the vast sea of coverage generated before, during and after the referendum”.

Conor Gallagher, crime correspondent at the newspaper was recognised for his piece entitled “Inside Court 12: The Complete Story of the Belfast Rape Trial”, which detailed the case against two rugby players and another two men, all of whom were found not guilty.

The judges said it contained “richly descriptive writing [detailing] the key points of contention in the case, the legal strategies involved, as well as examining what was happening outside the courtroom.”

A second of his pieces, “Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System”, was awarded a certificate.

BBC Northern Ireland took the top prize for their Spotlight investigation “When is Sex Rape?”

Irish Examiner’s Cormac O’Keefe, security correspondent, and Caroline O’Doherty, senior reporter and Ann Murphy, of The Echo each received certificates of merit.