Tributes have been paid to the former broadcaster and TV presenter Derek Davis, who has died following a short illness.
President Michael D. Higgins said this evening: "his loss will be felt not only by the broadcasting and media community across the island of Ireland but also by so many sections of the public at large."
He was a prominent figure in the Irish media for more than 30 years.
A familiar household name, he presented 'Live at Three' on RTÉ television with Thelma Mansfield for 11 years.
He was also a regular guest presenter of Liveline on Radio One. More recently, he presented a Sunday magazine show on 4fm.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
Derek (67) was raised in Bangor, Co Down and went to boarding school in Co Antrim.
He started as a news reporter with the American network ABC, and then BBC Northern Ireland - before spending 11 years in the newsroom in RTÉ.
He also presented the Rose of Tralee on two occasions.
Derek won two Jacob's Awards for his television work, and a dozen other local and industry awards.
In 1984, he received his first award for the series 'The Season That's In It'. He won his second award in 1991 for his 'Live at Three' special programme on the 1916 Risi
Producer Larry Masterson worked with Derek in the past and was a long-time friend.
He told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk they were due to interview him again this weekend.
While broadcaster Tom McGurk told Newstalk Lunchtime Derek was a terrific, one-off guy.
The Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney said: "Derek was a big personality, a passionate and talented communicator on both food and marine issues. His love for the sea was so evident whenever I met him. Derek was a much loved figure in so many Irish homes for the connections he created over a lifetime of broadcasting."
President HIggins said: "He exuded a natural charisma, warmth and inquisitiveness, had a great sense of humour and in every sense was a gentleman. He had a great familiarity with Irish life in all of its different aspects including its rivers and lakes and its community of fishermen."
Noel Curran, the director-general of RTÉ, said: "Derek Davis was a hugely popular man, both with audiences and with his colleagues in RTÉ".
"He was full of humour and warmth and was one of the most versatile presenters RTÉ has seen. But at heart he was always a journalist, and he brought that inquisitive sense of journalism to everything he did," he added.
