Oliver Maloney, former director general of RTÉ who died in March 2014, was born in 1936, the eldest of four children of Andy and Kathleen Maloney. Despite Andy losing his job and their home due to ill-health, they were determined that their children would receive a good education. Oliver won a university scholarship, but started work immediately with the Revenue Commission, taking his university education in economics at night. He married Kitty Flynn, a colleague, and they had three children.
He joined RTÉ as secretary to the authority. His sharp mind and energy resulted within a few years in his appointment as director of personnel. He was called on to direct RTÉ's case at the 7 Days tribunal, and also to extend the radio service to 24-hour broadcasting.
His cancelling of the television drama series The Spike attracted huge media interest. He steered the introduction of the new radio and television channels, Radio 2 and RTÉ 2.
Gentle and quietly spoken, he was at home in the arts, education, sport, science, theology, philosophy and economics.
A committed Catholic, he was involved in ministries in his then local church in Sandyford. He enjoyed theological debate and was a member of various church and social study and advisory groups. In his fifties, he took a degree in theology and philosophy. He was a manager of the All Hallows college football team, and was known as “Baggio”.
He was known in the public and private sectors, agriculture, finance and industry but much of Oliver’s input had been anonymous. He saw the benefits that success brought as gifts to be appreciated, respected and shared. He disliked simplistic responses to complex questions. This respect for truth affected his religious and theological observations. He had a long association with All Hallows College, Dublin, attending and giving various seminars and addressing international groupings. He was the chairman of the board of governors that gave effect to the college’s link with Dublin City University.
He was good company and had a sense of humour which could tease conversation into robust discussion and deep reflection. He played squash, hurling, golf and had run marathons. He was a keen gardener, had an extensive repertoire on the piano and was a fluent Irish speaker with a keen interest in other languages.
In the 1990s he was devastated by the sudden death of his wife Kitty. His sister, Kathleen, predeceased him. In recent years, he married his business colleague, and long-time family friend, Connie Reid.
He is survived by Connie, and by his three children, Colette, Eamon, and Ian, his sister Rita, brother Joe, and four grandchildren.