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Cagney with co-hosts Alan Hughes (left) and Ciara Doherty (right) on today's show. Virgin Media One

'A complete gentleman': Mark Cagney signed off on his final episode of Ireland AM this morning

Colleagues paid tribute to the veteran host on his last show today.

BROADCASTER MARK CAGNEY signed off his final episode of Virgin Media One’s Ireland AM this morning, after 20 years presenting the popular breakfast show. 

There were emotional scenes in Ballymount as colleagues grouped around to pay tribute to the presenter.

Co-presenter Ciara Doherty described Cagney as a “leader, mentor and an advisor and, most importantly, a friend to everyone here in studio this morning”. 

“We know you at home feel the very same,” she said, adding that he was a “professional and a complete gentleman”. 

Highlights from his time on the show were also played, with long-time co-host Alan Hughes saying he’d been privileged to have worked with Cagney.

“We are friends for life,” he said. 

Earlier this month, Virgin Media Television announced the broadcaster would be stepping down. 

He began presenting the breakfast show in 1999, and described his time on the show as ”one of the great privileges of my life, professionally and personally”.

“Over the twenty years, Ireland AM has become part of the Irish broadcasting landscape, an institution even, which has stitched itself into Irish daily life,” he said at the time.

Every day I met someone new, and I learned something new and I did it in the company of people I admired and respected, what more can anyone ask from a job? 

This morning, Cagney paid tribute to Doherty, Hughes and the other co-hosts over the years, including Amanda Byram, Claire Byrne and Maura Derrane, as well as those who worked behind the scenes on the show.

“The most important people are the ones at home who are watching,” he said. “You’ve been making us feel welcome for 20 years.”

Bill Malone, Director of Content at Virgin Media Television described Cagney as “a giant of Irish broadcasting and a “staple in Irish viewers’ homes each morning”.

“He will be greatly missed by both viewers and colleagues alike and I wish him all the best for the future,” Malone said. 

Tributes were also paid to Cagney from around Irish media this morning.

Tweet by @Susan Keogh Susan Keogh / Twitter Susan Keogh / Twitter / Twitter

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    Mute Jack Murphy
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:33 AM

    How many times has this happened now? stupid bloody drivers

    159
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    Mute Malachy Mc Carron
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:40 AM

    Should b made refund everyone’s ticket, if driver was negligible in any way. Understandable if driver had heart attack R something . People going to and from work delayed due to 1 person

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    Mute The Todd
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:59 AM

    Accidents happen all the time, but here have your €2.20. Hope the driver is ok

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    Mute Lloyd Hetherington
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:09 AM

    Agree. How does one end up doing something like this unless it is a heart attack or seizure or similar? Why can’t I help thinking the driver was on his/her phone?

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    Mute KATHLEEN KAVANAGH
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:11 AM

    Exactly!

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:17 AM

    “Stupid bloody drivers” so you know the cause of this incident?

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    Mute Charles Mcdonald
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:51 AM

    Might have been stolen and a joyrider

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Jan 7th 2015, 7:31 PM

    Didn’t a Chinese company offer to put in an underground system in Dublin for the ticket take for 25 years and they were turned down – Something like that any way …
    Can’t crash a car into an underground !

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    Mute Joe Travers
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:38 AM

    Is optimus ok.?

    104
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    Mute Scrap Croke Park1
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:19 AM

    I feel sorry for the driver. She must be mortified

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    Mute Scrap Croke Park1
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:20 AM

    Ok sisters. I’m ready

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    Mute Kane O Hara
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:33 AM

    Let’s hope the driver and passengers are not hurt.

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    Mute Kathleen Kavanagh
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:40 AM

    Driving Suspension 3-6 months – give themselves time to think if they should continue driving !

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    Mute Phillip Brady Brady
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    Jan 7th 2015, 1:03 AM

    Do u know something we don’t?

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    Mute Marty Flood
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:39 AM

    Luas tickets valid on buses. Aaaaahhhh… memories of Munich 1992.

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    Mute Shane Walsh Photos
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    Jan 7th 2015, 7:18 AM

    Wouldn’t happen on the red line :)

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    Mute paul compton
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    Jan 7th 2015, 7:39 AM

    Any money says drink driver.

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    Mute Cormac Mc Greal
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    Jan 7th 2015, 12:33 AM

    Bang bang Rosie/roger.

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    Mute Paul O'Grady
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    Jan 7th 2015, 2:47 PM

    Extra penalty points should be awarded for blatant stupidity – such as hitting an inanimate object.

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