[6] Prior to joining RTÉ, Kearney worked as a reporter and producer for daily news and documentaries for the BBC, including four years with BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme.
[7][8] During his 32 years of experience, Kearney was Home Affairs Correspondent for BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Correspondent with The Sunday Times and also a journalist for the Belfast Telegraph for 9 years.
[9][10][11] Kearney joined RTÉ in January 2019 as Northern Ireland Correspondent, where he reported across all of RTÉ's flagship news programmes, providing television, radio and online coverage.
[12][13] Kearney succeeded Tommie Gorman as Northern Ireland Editor for RTÉ News in April 2021.
[14][15][16] Kearney was born in West Belfast, Northern Ireland.