Marian Finucane has died suddenly aged 69. RTÉ staff members released a statement about the broadcaster’s death today.
According to the Irish Times, Director General Dee Forbes said: “We learned today of the sudden passing of Marian Finucane with profound shock and sadness.
“Marian was a broadcaster of immense capability; a household name, she was first and foremost a tenacious journalist with a zeal for breaking new ground.
“From Women Today to Liveline to her weekday radio show on Radio 1 and, latterly, her enormously popular Saturday and Sunday radio programme, she tackled the big social issues of the day with command and insight.
“Multi-skilled, she forged a distinguished career on television, as well as undertaking significant charity work in Africa. Ireland has lost a unique voice.
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RTÉ has lost a beloved colleague. My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to her husband John and son Jack.”
RTÉ Chair Moya Doherty also added: “It is with the deepest shock and sadness that I heard the news of Marian Finucane.
“Marian was a pioneer in women’s broadcasting and was rightly renowned for her fearless yet human interview technique.
“Many who work in broadcasting today, male and female, owe her a great debt.
Head of RTE Radio 1 Tom McGuire paid a tribute to the star’s death.
He said: “Marian Finucane was a defining voice for RTÉ Radio 1, and for the nation.
“Her work on Liveline was without parallel, where she merged an unsurpassed journalistic vigour with a flair for debate and discussion unmatched among her peers.
“As the voice of weekends, she parsed the stories of the day, tackling big interviews with ease and insight. Her loss is a deep shock to all of us, and our thoughts are with Marian’s family at this time.”