Tributes have been paid to writer, historian, former government advisor and ex journalist Liam Cahill, who has died suddenly.
A champion of social media, where he was a prolific poster, Mr Cahill described himself on his Twitter account as an “artist, father, friend, widower, pensioner”.
Originally from Waterford, the life-long trade unionist and Labour activist died suddenly at his home in Drumree, Co Meath, on Monday.
Mr Cahill’s most recent book was From Suir to Jarama, Mossie Quinlan’s Life and Legacy, published last year. He previously wrote Forgotten Revolution, The Limerick Soviet 1919, published in 1990 and again in 2019.
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A former industry reporter, economics correspondent and political correspondent with RTÉ, he also worked as a public servant and adviser to politicians, the private sector and campaign groups.
He founded and edited popular web GAA website An Fear Rua.
President Michael D Higgins said “people throughout Irish media, politics and beyond will have been saddened” to hear of his death.
His contribution to Irish society was “wide and varied” and he brought a " well-informed, humorous and passionate spirit” to all of this. “To all of his many endeavours he brought, and has left, a particular personal legacy,” Mr Higgins said.
Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States Daniel Mulhall said he was “very sad to learn of the death of Liam Cahill”.
“He was a few years ahead of me at school..I later knew him as an RTÉ journalist, a political adviser, media professional, historian and Gaelic games enthusiast,” Mr Mulhall said.
National Union of Journalists’ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley said he was a “generous colleague, insightful historian, simply a joy to meet”.
RTÉ political correspondent Paul Cunningham described him as a “great colleague” who was “always generous with his time” and “always [had] something interesting to say.”
Labour TD Duncan Smith said as a political advisor Mr Cahill “separated himself from others who had a haughty disdain for staff/members, by being always available, responsive and interested”.
“A real Labour person. A good man,” the Dublin Fingal TD said.
Mr Cahill was pre-deceased wife Patricia and is survived by his daughter Susan and son Eoin as well as his sister May.