Tributes paid to ‘able, wise and decent’ journalist Wesley Boyd

Tributes have been paid to the respected journalist and broadcaster Wesley Boyd, who died on Monday.

A native of Co Fermanagh, Mr Boyd was former head of news and radio at RTÉ over a 15-year period from 1974 to 1990.

In later years he was a regular contributor to An Irishman’s Diary in The Irish Times.

The father-of-four, who settled in Mount Merrion, Dublin died at St Vincent’s University Hospital surrounded by his family.

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He is survived by his daughters Deirdre, Joanne and Helen, son Brian, grandchildren Grace, Matthew and Erin, sister-in-law Stella and brother-in-law John.

Mr Boyd was predeceased by his wife Marion and son Peter.

On the funeral details website rip.ie, several former broadcast colleagues paid their respects.

Tommie Gorman, former RTÉ Northern Editor and Europe correspondent, said that he was an “able, wise and inherently decent boss.” He added: “It was an honour to work for him. Sincere sympathy to his grieving family.”

Another colleague, former chief news correspondent Charlie Bird called him a “great boss”.

Mr Bird explained: “Even though I have my own health issues I am going to do my best to attend the funeral on Saturday.”

Mr Boyd’s Funeral Service will take place on Saturday at 10am in the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome, Dublin.

Seamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists, described Mr Boyd as one of the “most influential figures in Irish journalism”.

“He was a man of fierce integrity. Wesley was totally committed to the concept of press freedom while also balancing that with the Section 31 controversy (banning of paramilitary comment during The Troubles in the North) while in RTÉ. He had to balance his management obligations with his passion for freedom of expression,” he said.

“He was a NUJ life member and he never lost his interest in journalism and was also part of the European Association of Journalists. I would like to pass on my sincere sympathies to his family and friends.”

Mr Boyd was also the father of The Irish Times NUJ chapel.