THIS WEEK saw the passing of experienced public relations executive Michael Dennehy after a brief illness. He was just 61.

I first dealt with Michael in 1999, through his association with Waterford Wedgwood, which spanned 37 years.

While always loyal to Waterford Wedgwood, Michael never sought to put a spin on the company’s troubles.

“I’m not a flim-flam merchant,” he once told me.

Later, he helpfully organised trophies for the Business Journalists Association of Ireland’s annual corporate challenge, a charity event that has raised the guts of €500,000 for the Dublin Simon Community over the past decade.

Michael was a jolly man, who enjoyed a sociable drink and always had a joke or a funny story to relay. He was also a consummate professional and he will be missed by those who knew him.