RTÉ journalist and broadcaster Keelin Shanley has died at the age of 51.
In a statement, this afternoon, RTÉ said she died peacefully at home after a battle with cancer.
The of RTÉ Six One News presenter is survived by her husband Conor and their children Lucy and Ben.
Jon Williams, Managing Director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs paid tribute to her this afternoon.
"Keelin was the best of us and we are heartbroken,” he said.
“From Prime Time Investigates to Morning Edition, Morning Ireland to the Six One News, there wasn’t a corner of RTÉ News & Current Affairs untouched by Keelin’s fearless, generous, and passionate journalism.
“For Keelin, the story was never about her, always about others.
“Her legacy of over 20 years journalism with RTÉ saw her help tell the stories of so many often marginalised [people]. She strove to inform, probe and encourage; always inquisitive, interested, thoughtful and kind.
“The fact that she presented our flagship Six One News while dealing with cancer is inspirational in itself and so typical of Keelin's determination to live life to the full.
“Our hearts go out to Conor, Lucy and Ben and her wider family. We are all poorer for her loss.”
This how I’ll remember Keelin. Her smile could light up any room. Not a corner @rtenews untouched by Keelin’s fearless, generous & passionate journalism. For #KeelinShanley, story never about her - always about others. pic.twitter.com/IwfwAvTSA3
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) February 8, 2020
Ms Shanley grew up in Monkstown in Dublin and began working with RTÉ in the late 1990s.
She joined Prime Time as a reporter and presenter in 1999 and made a number of acclaimed documentaries.
She won a number of awards for her work on Prime Time and Prime Time investigates.
She took up the role of Six One News presenter in January 2018.
Tributes have been pouring in for her this afternoon.
President Michael D Higgins said people all around the will be “greatly saddened” by Ms Shanley’s death.
“Driven by a strong commitment to social justice, she brought great professionalism and dedication to her work as a journalist,” he said.
“Sabina and I send our deepest condolences to her husband Conor, their children Lucy and Ben, her wider family and her wide circle of friends.”
Newstalk presenter Sean Moncrieff said she a “great broadcaster and a lovely woman” and revealed that his daughter is named after her.
Absolutely stunned to hear of the death of Keelin Shanley. A great broadcaster and a lovely woman. She & I were alone in an office when I got the news of another child on the way. We called her Keelin xx
— Sean Moncrieff (@SeanMoncrieff) February 8, 2020
So sad to hear that our friend and colleague Keelin Shanley has lost her battle with cancer. A wonderful broadcaster and a kind and decent person. My heart goes out to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
— Tony O'Donoghue (@Corktod) February 8, 2020
Really sorry to hear of the passing of Keelin Shanley. An excellent broadcaster but always a kind and generous broadcaster to younger peers. Comhbhrón ó chroí to her family, friends and colleagues at @rte.
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 8, 2020
RTÉ Director-General, Dee Forbes, said Ms Shanley was a “passionate and dedicated public service journalist.”
“Keelin had an expertise that challenged and probed as well as an ease that endeared her to all,” she said.
“Keelin was incredibly popular with all her colleagues. But our loss is nothing compared to that of her much-loved family. My sincere sympathies go to Conor, Lucy, and Ben, to Keelin's extended family and to her wide circle of friends.”
