RTÉ broadcaster Tommie Gorman was ‘optimistic’ ahead of planned surgery this week before death at 68

In a statement his family said he died “peacefully” surrounded by family as they paid tribute to “a cherished husband, father, brother, and friend”.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tommie, who left us peacefully on 25th June 2024 surrounded by his family,” it said.

“Tommie was a cherished husband, father, brother, and friend whose innate kindness and generosity of spirit touched the lives of all who knew him.

“His memory will forever remain in our hearts, and his spirit will continue to guide and inspire us every day. Tommie is survived by his loving wife Ceara, children Joe and Moya, sister Mary and brother Michael who will deeply miss his kindness, wisdom, humour, and presence.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Born in 1956, Mr Gorman was a native of Sligo. He was educated in Summerhill College and at the College of Journalism, Rathmines, Dublin.

He spent three years working in the Ballina-based Western Journal before joining RTÉ in 1980 as North-West correspondent.

The broadcaster worked for RTÉ News for more than 40 years in a variety of roles. He was Europe editor before moving to Belfast in 2001 to become the station’s northern editor.

Described as the “beating heart of RTÉ News”, he retired from the broadcaster in 2021.

An emotional Kevin Bakhurst told RTÉ staff today that he had dinner with Tommie Gorman a week ago.

The RTÉ director general was close friends with Mr Gorman and paid tribute to his former colleague.

Mr Bakhurst was speaking at a town hall meeting of RTÉ staff just as word of Mr Gorman’s passing emerged.

“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tommie Gorman. I met Tommie on Monday evening – he was in good form and optimistic ahead of planned surgery this week,” he said.

“Tommie was not only a great friend and colleague to me, and to so many in RTÉ and beyond, he was also a journalist of outstanding pedigree, integrity and incredible tenacity.

“As RTÉ’s Northern Editor he was the voice of an era as that era itself transformed from violence to peace. Tommie guided us through the intricacies with colour, command and panache.

“He was a storyteller journalist like no other. I am so deeply sorrowed by his loss and extend my personal sympathies to Tommie’s family.”

The Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan will open a Book of Condolence at the Mansion House from Wednesday, June 26 to Friday, June 28, from 11am to 4pm for the citizens of Dublin to extend their sympathies to the family of Mr Gorman.

“We all relied on Tommie Gorman to keep us informed during those fateful days of the Good Friday Agreement,” the Lord Mayor said.

“He served as an essential and reassuring voice to some of the most important historical moments in the recent history of our island. On behalf of the people of Dublin I extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Tommie Gorman.”

The Book of Condolence will also be available to sign online from tomorrow morning.

President Michael D Higgins said Mr Gorman will be remembered as one of the “outstanding public service broadcasters of his generation”.

“Over more than 40 years reporting for RTÉ, he was a widely trusted and deeply insightful commentator on the North-West, Brussels and, perhaps most notably, Northern Ireland, where his incisive and well-informed commentary brought news of critical developments for twenty years,” he said.

“Throughout that time, Tommie was respected by all sides of the political spectrum and was a trusted source of information for the public during challenging years, the fostering of peace, and all that was achieved in Anglo-Irish relations over that time.

“A naturally empathetic person, Tommie’s courageous and generous work with cancer survivors leaves a very significant legacy which I hope will bring comfort to his family and all those who knew him. In speaking and writing about his own experiences, he brought a greater public awareness and understanding of the conditions and the treatments available for them.

“As anyone who ever met Tommie will know, he was a tireless champion of Sligo, and reflecting his lifelong love of soccer, of Sligo Rovers. Whether talking about the Bit o’ Red or Tottenham Hotspur, Tommie always knew every minute detail of the clubs and their fortunes.

“In a career renowned for being the first on the spot with key developments, Tommie will of course always be remembered for his interview with Roy Keane following his departure from Saipan and going to Greece to interview Seamus Heaney following the announcement that he was to receive the Nobel Prize.

“May I express my deepest condolence to Tommie’s wife Ceara, to his children Moya and Joe, and to all his family, colleagues and many friends.”

Managing director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs Deirdre McCarthy said: “We are incredibly saddened following the death of our former colleague Tommie Gorman. Tommie was a giant in Irish journalism and an integral part of RTÉ News for over forty years.

“From Belfast to Brussels, and his beloved Sligo, Tommie was an outstanding Irish journalist and story breaker throughout his long career in RTÉ News. Familiar to so many of our audiences at a critical time in Northern Ireland following the Good Friday Agreement, Tommie reported from Belfast until his retirement in 2021.

“His talent and tenacity as a journalist saw him cover a vast range of stories during his career. He was trusted by many to share their stories, from Roy Keane to senior Northern Ireland political figures, his energy and professionalism were always highly regarded.”

Leading the tributes, Taoiseach Simon Harris told the Dáil the veteran reporter made an “incredible contribution not just to broadcasting, but indeed to peace on this island”.

“I know everybody is in a state of shock to hear that news. I would have met Tommie only in recent weeks in Sligo Rovers, his beloved football club, and, indeed, very recently at the European Movement event that and Minister (Paschal) Donohoe was at.”

In a statement afterwards, Mr Harris said: “I am profoundly shocked and saddened at the death of Tommie Gorman.

“Tommie was a journalist of enormous standing who carried out his job and duty to report fairly and accurately with the utmost professionalism.

“In a world of instant and rolling news, Tommie Gorman was invited into people’s homes night after night to give fair, impartial and in-depth analysis of one of the most precious things on our island – our peace process. To say he took this responsibility seriously is an understatement and as a result the Irish people trusted Tommie. If Tommie Gorman said it, then it happened.

“Tommie loved his work but was also so proud of his family and they were always interwoven in any conversation I had with him about politics or life in general. To Tommie’s wife Ceara and his children Joe and Moya as well as his wider family, I am so sorry for your loss and please know that Tommie always reminded those in political office how important family was.

“To Tommie’s many colleagues in RTÉ, Belfast and The Currency, I am so sorry at the loss of your friend. May he rest in peace.”

Mr Donohoe also offered his condolences in the Dáil chamber in the wake of Mr Gorman’s death.

“I only met him last Monday night and I can’t believe this news. I hope we’ll have an opportunity to say more at a more appropriate point.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “It was with great shock and sadness that I learned today of Tommie’s passing.

“For so many of us, Tommie was a guide, helping us navigate the complexities of Northern Ireland, and before that Europe. His clarity of expression, built on deep knowledge and great connections, shaped this nation’s understanding of many historic days.

“It was a measure of Tommie that he did not have contacts, he only had friends. Friendships founded in trust and respect. My personal friendship with him was one I valued very highly.

“As RTE’s Northern Editor from 2001 until his retirement three years ago, Tommie was the voice of the peace process.

“More than that, Tommie was an important part of the process – his knowledge and wisdom enriched those in the negotiating rooms just as much as it informed those outside, while his humour and generosity kept negotiators going just as optimism may have flagged. It is so fitting that Tommie’s last article – published by The Currency only ten days ago – was a reflection on the peace process.

“He was an outstanding journalist who over four decades, covered many of the biggest stories in modern Ireland, from politics and current affairs, to his iconic Roy Keane interview.

“Tommie’s commitment to accuracy and humanity, along with his attention to detail, never wavered from his time as a young reporter in the Western Journal to his 41 year career in RTÉ.

“Through his reporting, he earned the trust of the Irish people. He was the personification of public service broadcasting and leaves behind a powerful journalistic legacy.

“Tommie once remarked, on his friendship with the late Colm Murray, that ‘awareness of mortality encourages you to do the best with the time you have.’ Tommie did just that, living with neuroendrocrine cancer for many years, he worked to establish an Irish Centre of Excellence for others here with the illness. In so doing, he improved the lives of many.

“In all things, Tommie was a Sligo man. A Sligo Rovers fan. And a people person. He leaves this island, north and south, a better place. For that we owe Tommie profound thanks.

“My heartfelt condolences to Tommie’s family, Ceara, Joe and Moya.”

The US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin said: “Shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Tommie Gorman.

“Tommie joined us recently at Deerfield to honor those who had been involved in helping create peace in Northen Ireland.

“Tommie played his own role in sharing the latest news with with the people of Ireland, always a trusted and reliable source. He was always a champion for his hometown of Sligo. May he rest in peace.”

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tommie Gorman, one of Ireland’s greatest journalists.

“Tommie was a true gentleman and a good friend – someone I got to know well in recent years.

“Tommie’s record in broadcasting was mirrored by his contribution to shaping Ireland’s Peace Process.

“He always approached his job with a real sense of authenticity and his ability to gain the trust of people from all sides was unrivalled.

“I have fond memories of meeting Tommie on many occasions, including at the Showgrounds in Sligo – home to his beloved football club Sligo Rovers.

“Today is a sad day for our entire country as we lose one of our most professional and outstanding journalists.

“I want to express my deepest sympathies to Tommie’s wife Ceara, children Moya and Joe, as well as his extended family and his wide circle of colleagues and friends.”

Tommie Gorman battled cancer for 27 years, first diagnosed by chance in January 1994 with a rare form of the disease, neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). He was 37 at the time and working as RTÉ’s Brussels-based Europe correspondent.

His documentary Ireland, Cancer and Me broadcast on RTÉ offered a moving account of the retired reporter’s ongoing battle with the disease.

Two of those who fought long battles with the condition were the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs and the singer, Aretha Franklin.

He recounted of his diagnosis: “I was admitted to a Belgian hospital with a suspected appendix problem. I woke up to learn that I had NETs disease in my small bowel, secondaries in my mesentery area and lots of tumours (metastases) on my liver.”

In the course of his work as RTÉ’s Europe correspondent, he discovered that under EU law he was entitled to treatment available in another EU country, and in 1998 he became the first Irish citizen to avail of treatment in a Swedish centre of excellence.

It helped open the door for hundreds of Irish patients to follow in his footsteps to Sweden and other EU countries to get wide-ranging and vital treatments.

Then, in 2023, a centre for excellence catering for patients with neuroendocrine tumours was set up at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, with links to other centres in Cork and Galway.

Writing about his condition in the past, Mr Gorman said: “The word cancer automatically strikes fear in most of us. It is a challenge we would all like to avoid. But my experience of cancer has made me a glass half-full person.

“I’m one of the beneficiaries of important improvements within the Irish service for the treatment of a cancer condition that I’ve had for more than 30 years.

“The developments convince me that the next generation of Irish patients with our condition can face the future with optimism.”

In his later years, Gorman no longer had to travel to Sweden for treatment and relied on six-monthly scans and checks at St Vincent’s and a monthly injection.

Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Tuesday June 25

During is time at RTÉ, he famously interviewed Roy Keane after the footballer’s row with manager Mick McCarthy in the Republic of Ireland team’s Japan 2002 World Cup training camp on the island of Saipan.

Gorman also tracked down poet Seamus Heaney on a Greek island after he had won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described his death as “desperately sad news”.

“Tommie Gorman was a good friend to everyone who knew him, a great storyteller and a fiercely independent, fair-minded journalist,” he said.

“I stood at microphones many times after a press conference and felt the familiar flash of panic that every political leader knew when they saw Tommie emerge from the pack to ask the blinder of a question that you were hoping wouldn’t come.

“I saw him cut through waffling and guldering in his quiet, forceful manner, always trying to get past the heat and down to the heart of a story. I also saw Tommie’s endless dedication to telling the stories of ordinary people.

“It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, he was interested in raising up the voices of people who needed to be heard. And I will always be grateful for his kind storytelling for the people of Derry.

“He wasn’t afraid to tell you exactly what he thought but always, always with a view to helping you do better and be better.

“When he retired in 2021, I said to him that I hoped he’d enjoy swapping cold late nights at Stormont for happier days at the Showgrounds with his loving and devoted family. I’m thinking of Ceara, Moya, Joe and his wide circle of friends at this difficult time. I hope they are comforted by the enormous impact Tommie had on our whole island and the people who share it.”