Conor Gogarty

WalesOnline’s Conor Gogarty is a brilliant investigative reporter whose stories have a real-world impact. In his damning investigation into an exodus of vital part-time staff at the South Wales fire service, Gogarty covered a recent fire in Treharris during which the nearest seven on-call stations had no crews available, resulting in a delayed response and the destruction of a home. The story was discussed in the Welsh Parliament, sparking calls to address the service’s retention crisis.

Another piece with significant impact was Gogarty’s undercover investigation as a door-to-door sales rep wearing a hidden camera. He exposed misleading job adverts, lies told on doorsteps, and cult-like treatment of young representatives – as well as revealing that he earned £35 on a 12-hour shift. The charity client reviewed its donations, prompting a regulatory investigation. Gogarty’s accompanying documentary was watched 1.6 million times on TikTok. Regional Press Awards judges praised his eagle eye for spotting a story, particularly in this undercover expose which resonated with its target audience on different platforms. His excellent use of social media also allowed him to find former employees of a recently closed restaurant, Park House. In-depth interviews, along with an examination of court records and company accounts, brought to light a range of serious allegations including a toxic working culture, tax discrepancies and unpaid debt.