Former RTÉ Northern editor Tommie Gorman dies aged 68

The former RTÉ journalist Tommie Gorman has died. He was aged 68.

Mr Gorman, originally from Co Sligo, was RTÉ’s European correspondent and later the broadcaster’s Northern editor.

His most famous interview, though, was with Ireland captain Roy Keane during the Saipan World Cup debacle of 2002 when he asked Keane: “What about all the little kids in Ireland who have you as a role model who would love to see you back in the World Cup and are absolutely appalled that this row has taken place and do not know what to say?”

He retired from RTÉ in 2021 and went on to publish a memoir Never Better: My Life in our Times, in 2022.

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He had a long and well-documented battle against cancer. In 1994 he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) and went to Sweden for treatment. He campaigned successfully for the same treatment to be available in Ireland. It is now based in St Vincent’s hospital.

In a statement, Mr Gorman’s family said he died surrounded by his loved ones.

“Tommie was a cherished husband, father, brother and friend whose innate kindness and generosity of spirit touched the lives of all those who knew him. His memory will forever remain in our hearts and his spirit will continue to guide and inspire us to every day,” they said.

Mr Gorman’s friend, broadcaster Sean O’Rourke, said he had gone into St Vincent’s Hospital last week for an operation for his ongoing cancer treatment and had been in good spirits.

Mr O’Rourke added that he had been a formidable advocate for cancer sufferers starting with himself and he lived many years longer than had been expected when he was first diagnosed.

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Simon Harris led political tributes to the former RTÉ journalist.

Mr Higgins described him as 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”.

“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.”

Mr Harris described him as 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.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of his valued friend.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Martin said that as RTÉ’s Northern Editor from 2001 until his retirement three years ago, Mr Gorman 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.”

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said Mr Gorman “had an unparalleled journalistic career, from humble beginnings at the Western People newspaper, to serving as Northern Editor of RTÉ. He conducted some of the most legendary interviews to have appeared on Irish television, and while he was a tough interviewer, he was always fair.

“He reported on some of the most pivotal and vital moments of the peace process, and did so with passion and integrity and made an invaluable contribution,” she said. “Most importantly, he was an absolute gentleman, and his friendship will be fondly missed by many today.”

Northern Ireland first minister Michelle O’Neill described him as an “award-winning journalist over many decades, he was invested both professionally and personally in our peace process and in reconciling everyone who shares this island.” Deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was “terribly sorry” to hear the news. She described him as a man of “great intelligence, deeply thoughtful and ever professional. Gone too soon, his company and friendship will be missed”.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he was a “titan of a journalist who not only got to the heart of the story, but built relationships with everyone he met, right across the divide”.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described Mr Gorman as a “good friend to everyone who knew him, a great storyteller and a fiercely independent, fair-minded journalist”.

“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.”

St Vincent’s University Hospital management described Mr Gorman as a “true friend of SVHU and a remarkable patient advocate, bravely fighting his NET disease”.

Former Irish Times Northern editor Gerry Moriarty said he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Mr Gorman’s death, adding that they had been friends going back 46 years to when they started out in journalism, with Mr Gorman in the Sligo Journal and him in the Donegal Democrat.

“He was the best of friends and the best of journalists – curious, courageous, fair, thorough and enterprising. But the bedrock of his being, whether reporting from Sligo, Brussels or Belfast or other parts of the world was his humanity and his compassion,” Mr Moriarty said.

“He Ioved his craft and the people he reported for and in turn people loved Tommie. It is hard to describe how badly he will be missed. My condolences to the loves of his life, Ceara, Moya and Joe.”

Former RTÉ News managing director Jon Williams tweeted: “For nearly six years, #TommieGorman was counsellor, confessor, friend. Spending time with him in his beloved Sligo was the greatest privilege. The kindest, wisest of men. The very best of #Ireland. My heart goes out to Ceara and the kids. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Fellow RTÉ journalist Carole Coleman described him as an “inspiration and mentor to so many of us journalists”.

Mr Gorman grew up in Cairns Road in Sligo town and attended Summerhill College. He was a lifelong Sligo Rovers fan and the club paid tribute to him by describing him as “one of our most dedicated supporters and treasured figures within our community and beyond”.

Mr Gorman is survived by his wife Ceara, children Joe and Moya, sister Mary and brother Michael. His funeral details will be announced in the coming days.

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