Media

Irreconcilable differences at the Globe

by Dan Kennedy

The crash of John Kennedy's plane claimed one more casualty last week: Boston Globe reporter Ellen O'Brien, who resigned over what have been described as irreconcilable differences between her and metro editor Peter Canellos.

Neither O'Brien nor Canellos would comment on the reasons for her departure. But according to several knowledgeable sources, they had a serious falling-out in the days after Kennedy's plane went down.

O'Brien, the sources say, believed the city desk ignored a tip she'd passed along that part of the plane's wreckage had been recovered. Canellos reportedly responded by blaming O'Brien for a breakdown in communications. Several days later, he reportedly sent her a memo that accused her of badmouthing the Globe to friends and sources during the Kennedy coverage.

O'Brien handed in her resignation at least a week before her final departure, and sources say that colleagues, including, editor Matt Storin and metro columnist Eileen McNamara, made efforts to encourage her to stay. But O'Brien reportedly concluded that the time had come to move on. O'Brien's only comment to the Phoenix: "I wish them all the best, and I know they have the same hopes for me. We may work together again some day."

Although O'Brien's next move was uncertain at press time, some staffers at the Boston Herald hope she'll replace crime reporter Beverly Ford, who's left for the Arizona Republic. Herald editor Andy Costello, cornered at Ford's farewell party at J.J. Foley's last Thursday, smiled and replied, "Who knows?"