The death has taken place of the former editor of the Irish Press newspaper, Hugh Lambert. Mr Lambert, who was aged 61, died in the Blackrock Hospice, Dublin, on Monday night following a short illness.
Mr Lambert, who was in charge of the production of special reports at The Irish Times at the time of his death, started his career in the 1960s as a trainee reporter with the Evening Press. His father, Hubert, had previously worked as a printer with both The Irish Times and the Irish Press.
Following his initial traineeship, Mr Lambert was appointed to the post of subeditor with the Evening Press. He subsequently joined the Sunday Press as a reporter and sub-editor, where he worked during the 1970s.
During his time with both newspapers, his talent for layout and design came to the fore and he was appointed chief production editor for the Sunday Press.
He also acted as a film and TV critic for the newspaper for a number of years.
In 1987, and after the departure of Tim Pat Coogan, he became editor of the Irish Press, until it ceased publication in 1995.
Following spells with the fledgling weekly Leader newspaper, started by a number of former Irish Press Group managers, and subsequently the Evening News newspaper, he joined The Irish Times.
He worked initially on the production of the paper's Education and Living supplement, before taking charge of the production of special reports section.
Mr Lambert is survived by his wife, Angela, and four sons, Alan, Paul, John and Sam.
His removal takes place at 5pm today to St Joseph's church, Glasthule. Funeral Mass will be celebrated after 10am Mass tomorrow, to be followed by his burial at Dean's Grange Cemetery, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Tributes were yesterday paid to Mr Lambert by his former colleagues and associates. Dick O'Riordan, a life-long friend and associate of Mr Lambert and editor of the Evening Press at the time of its closure in 1995, described him as a "very fair man, who did a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances".
"He was a very unassuming person, who was also a very fine writer," he told The Irish Times.
"He had a very good insight into things and was very observant . . . he had wonderful talents as a journalist and was always very even-handed, and very fair."
Irish Times editor Geraldine Kennedy said he brought commitment and flair to the newspaper over many years. He operated to the highest standards of journalism and was a good colleague who was held in the highest regard by all who worked with him.
"He will be sorely missed," she added.