Irish broadcaster Charlie Bird dies aged 74

Former RTÉ correspondent Charlie Bird has died aged 74

Irish journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird has died at the age of 74.

The former RTÉ correspondent had motor neurone disease (MND).

Mr Bird joined the Irish broadcaster in 1974 as a researcher in their current affairs department, before moving into news in 1980.

He was at the forefront of the reporting of the Northern Ireland peace process during the 1990s with the Provisional IRA choosing him as their primary media contact in the Republic of Ireland.

As a reporter he travelled the world reporting from Rwanda, Washington, Indonesia and Haiti – before retiring as RTÉ’s chief news correspondent in 2010.

He died on Monday and is survived by his wife Claire, daughters Orla and Nessa, grandchildren Abigail, Charlie, Edward, Harriet and Hugo, and his three brothers.

Broadcasting 'at its very best'

Irish President Michael D Higgins described Mr Bird as an "exceptionally talented broadcaster" and was "one of the outstanding journalists of his generation".

He said Mr Bird was a "truly remarkable man driven by a deep sense of social justice in the most positive sense".

After his MND diagnosis, Mr Bird carried the burden of his illness in a "remarkable" way, President Higgins added, and his authenticity will leave a lasting legacy.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr Bird’s death.

He said the former journalist “inspired so many” with his “courage, generosity of spirit and dignity”.

“Personable and engaging, Charlie always had the public interest at heart. He represented public service broadcasting in Ireland at its very best,” Mr Martin added.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: "His dedication to pursuing news stories, his involvement with the people affected by those stories, his good humour and his impressive bravery in the face of illness, is what we will remember most about Charlie Bird."

'Gifted communicator'

Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General of RTÉ, said Charlie Bird left a "unique legacy" and described him as a "fearless reporter".

"His campaigning work, especially since his illness diagnosis has gone on to help so many others, as was Charlie's selfless way," he added.

One of Mr Bird's earliest assignments was the Stardust fire in Dublin in 1981 which claimed 48 lives

One of Bird's earliest assignments was reporting on the Stardust fire in 1981.

The fire on 14 February killed 48 people who were attending a Valentine's Day event at the Stardust nightclub in north Dublin.

More than 800 people were at the disco when the fire took hold. The average age of the victims was 19.

Stardust survivor and campaigner Antoinette Keegan described Mr Bird as a "very special friend".

She told RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne programme that he never forgot any of the Stardust survivors and their families.

"He was one of the first people to contact me after my mother died in 2020", she said.

"He was very close to my family and myself."

Charlie Bird with Antoinette Keegan, who lost her two sisters in the Stardust nightclub fire, arriving at the Rotunda Foundation in Dublin for the pre-inquest hearing into the blaze

Bird announced his diagnosis on X, formerly Twitter, in October 2021, shortly after he had posted about turning down interviews because of problems with his speech.

“Recently I spoke about issues with my voice,” he wrote.

“I now know why. I have been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Thanks to all my pals for their amazing support.”

Before the end of the year Bird announced plans to climb Croagh Patrick to help raise funds with for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).

Climb with Charlie was set up, urging people around Ireland to get outdoors and climb.

In County Armagh, hundreds climbed Camlough in support of Bird and their friend Donna McCoy Sloan who had also been diagnosed in 2021.

What is motor neurone disease?

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive and terminal disease that damages the function of nerves and muscles, resulting in severe damage to the brain and spinal cord, eventually stopping muscles functioning.

It affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

There is currently no cure.

Bird kept the public up to date with his illness, with the help of his wife Claire and dog Tiger, on social media.

By January 2022 he posted that his voice had almost gone and would soon use a tablet to communicate.

On 2 April, Bird, then 72 years old, climbed Croagh Patrick in County Mayo – a place of pilgrimage where St Patrick is said to have spent 40 days fasting on the summit.

Tens of thousands of people also took part in almost 200 separate 'Climb with Charlie' fundraisers across Ireland, the Bird US, South Africa, Australia and Spain.

In October, as his condition worsened, Bird shared he had begun to use a feeding tube and a wheelchair.

Kevin Sinfield (l) and Charlie Bird complete day five of an ultra marathon in Dublin, December 2023

In December, Bird joined English Rugby star Kevin Sinfield as he finished an ultra marathon in Dublin.

Sinfield, who has been raising money and awareness for MND, since his friend and Leeds Rhino teammate Rob Burrows was diagnosed, completed seven ultra-marathons over seven days in seven cities, including Dublin, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

Earlier this month, he asked that people should continue to support his wife as his health continued to deteriorate.

“Last year I asked when I pass would you keep supporting Claire and Tiger with extending the hand of friendship to people in dark places,” he posted.

“I got a great response. Where I am now in my journey, I want to repeat the call.”