Ireland’s premier has led a host of tributes to broadcaster Marian Finucane who has died aged 69.
Leo Varadkar said he was stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the presenter’s death, describing her as a “true broadcasting legend”.
RTE announced on Thursday that Ms Finucane had died suddenly at her home in Dublin.
I am stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Marian Finucane. She was a true broadcasting legend who reshaped current affairs radio. Ireland will miss her voice. Weekend mornings will never be quite the same again.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 2, 2020
Mr Varadkar said Ireland would miss hearing Ms Finucane’s voice.
“Weekend mornings will never be quite the same again,” he said.
“I spent many hours in the studio with Marian. She was thorough, courteous and professional. I’m very sad to think that we won’t hear her voice again on the radio.
“The deepest sympathies of the Irish government to her family, friends and colleagues.”
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Marian Finucane. “Ireland has lost a unique voice,” says Director-General Dee Forbes. “A pioneer in broadcasting,” says Moya Doherty. https://t.co/vxpYZ1zwSb
— RTÉ (@rte) January 2, 2020
Irish Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan also paid tribute to Ms Finucane.
“We have lost another of our most cherished broadcasters,” she said.
“Marian was a strong, inspirational and always thought-provoking journalist.”
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said he was saddened by news of Ms Finucane’s death, and spoke of her “immense courtesy and professionalism as a broadcaster”.
“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,” she said.
“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. RTE has lost a beloved colleague.
“My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to her husband John and son Jack.”
Ms Finucane started her career with RTE in the 1970s after having originally qualified as an architect.
She became a household name through her Liveline programme on RTE radio.
Most recently, she presented the early morning radio slot, The Marian Finucane Show.
