President Michael D Higgins is leading tributes to RTÉ presenter Keelin Shanley who has died aged 51.
The State broadcaster said she died peacefully at home after a battle with cancer.
Ms Shanley, who had fronted the RTÉ Six One News since 2018, is survived by her husband Conor and their children Lucy and Ben.
In a statement, President Higgins said people all around the will be “greatly saddened” by Ms Shanley’s death.
“Driven by a strong commitment to social justice, she brought great professionalism and dedication to her work as a journalist,” he said.
“Sabina and I send our deepest condolences to her husband Conor, their children Lucy and Ben, her wider family and her wide circle of friends.”
RTÉ journalist Keelin Shanley who has died aged 51Ms Shanley grew up in Monkstown in Dublin and began working with RTÉ in the late 1990s.
She won several awards for her work on Prime Time and Prime Time investigates.
She took up the role of Six One News presenter two years ago.
File photo of journalist Keelin Shanley at the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards, 27-11-2014. Image: Leon Farrell / Photocall IrelandJon Williams, Managing Director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs paid tribute to her this afternoon.
"Keelin was the best of us and we are heartbroken,” he said.
“From Prime Time Investigates to Morning Edition, Morning Ireland to the Six One News, there wasn’t a corner of RTÉ News & Current Affairs untouched by Keelin’s fearless, generous, and passionate journalism.
“For Keelin, the story was never about her, always about others.
“Her legacy of over 20 years journalism with RTÉ saw her help tell the stories of so many often marginalised [people]. She strove to inform, probe and encourage; always inquisitive, interested, thoughtful and kind.
“The fact that she presented our flagship Six One News while dealing with cancer is inspirational in itself and so typical of Keelin's determination to live life to the full.
“Our hearts go out to Conor, Lucy and Ben and her wider family. We are all poorer for her loss.”
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) said Ms Shanley had been a “wonderful ambassador” for the charity since 2014.
CFI Chief Executive Philip Watt said she was a “friendly, generous and down-to-earth individual” who was always willing to lend a hand.
“Keelin always gave generously of her time over the past six years, and was a wonderful spokesperson for, and friend to, the CF community.
“On behalf of the cystic fibrosis community in Ireland, we wish to extend our deep appreciation of Keelin’s constant support and express our condolences to Keelin’s husband Conor, children Lucy and Ben, and to her family, friends and colleagues.”
I’m very saddened to hear of the death of Keelin Shanley. Keelin was always very warm and engaging in person and incisive and endlessly professional in her journalism. Deepest sympathies to her young family and to all her colleagues and friends in RTÉ.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 8, 2020
Incredibly sad news about Keelin Shanley. As well as being a very talented journalist, she was a really lovely person. Always warm, engaging and courteous. A huge loss. Our thoughts are with Keelin’s family and friends, and all of her colleagues in RTE.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) February 8, 2020
Saddened to hear of the death of Keelin Shanley. A journalist of great integrity and talent. On behalf of Sinn Féin I wish to extend my condolences to Keelin’s family - to Conor, Lucy and Ben, and to Keelin’s friends and colleagues at RTÉ.
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) February 8, 2020
