Michael Mills grew up in Co. Laois. after training to be a priest, he joined the People newspaper group in Wexford as a junior reporter. He spent his life working as a political journalist and broadcaster. Mills was political correspondent of The Irish Press and one of the first panelists on the television program 'The Hurler on the Ditch.' Mills was Ireland's first Ombudsman from 1984 to 1995. During that time he became acquainted with many of the problems of older people and still considers that there is ongoing need to secure the rights of elderly citizens. He retired in 1995.