LAST UPDATE | 21 Oct

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to LMFM radio host Michael Reade who died at the age of 58, the station confirmed this morning. 

The presenter released a statement last month in which he spoke frankly about his terminal cancer diagnosis, saying “I wish it wasn’t so” but that “it is is not an argument I can win.”

Mr Reade was first on air 43 years ago at just 15 years old and presented his show on LMFM for 21 years.  Earlier this month he won Gold at the IMRO Radio Awards for best Current Affairs programme on local radio.

Tributes have been paid to Michael today by colleagues, friends, local Bishop Michael Router, the Taoiseach Simon Harris, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and local TD Ged Nash.

The Taoiseach said: “Michael is a loss to journalism, a loss to the people of Louth and Meath but most particularly his family and friends.”

Harris added:

For over 20 years, Michael has been a voice to the frustrations, the celebrations and curiosity of people across Louth and Meath.

“For those of us who sat opposite him, he has been robust and tough but never unfair.”

Minister McEntee said she was “really saddened” to hear of Mr Reade’s death and offered her deepest condolences to his family, including his wife Sandra, his son Luke, his brothers, sister and the rest of his family.

She said commended his work to inform, educate and seek the truth for people across the North East region of the country.

The National Union of Journalists’ Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley described Michael as “the quintessential local radio broadcaster who knew his audience and never compromised his principles for the sake of career advancement or an easy life”.

“His style often made those in positions of power, influence and authority uncomfortable, but Michael saw his role as being to challenge and question,” he said.

On behalf of the IMRO Radio Awards committee, we would like to express our sadness at the passing of Michael Reade. Michael was a Gold Award winner at the 2024 IMRO Radio Awards.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/VI7w8Im0fw

— IMRO Radio Awards (@IMRORadioAwards) October 21, 2024

Bishop Michael Router said Michael always interviewed people in a “fair, forensic and insightful” manner and commended the journalist for having a “deep sense of justice for those who are vulnerable”.

“Michael’s passing will leave a void in the hearts of so many people, especially his loved ones, his colleagues in LMFM, and his many loyal listeners across a large and populous north-east region.”

He gave his condolences to Michael’s family, listeners and colleagues.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin gave his condolences to Michael’s family as well.

He added: “A firm but fair interviewer, Michael’s show on LMFM was essential radio for more than two decades on the issues that mattered most to his listeners.I always enjoyed my interviews with Michael and appreciated his courtesy and respect.

“He faced his final days with typical courage and dignity. Michael’s passing is a great loss for public service broadcasting.”

Louth Labour TD Ged Nash said Michael was one of Ireland’s finest broadcasters, a truth-teller and journalist with a robust and fair interview style.

“His innate sense of social justice, fairness and decency informed his work, and we count ourselves lucky in Louth and Meath to have had a current affairs presenter of Michael’s curiosity and calibre at the mic of our flagship programme on our local station for the past 21 years.

“He truly was the voice of the North-East. He will be fondly remembered as a superb journalist and a professional to his fingertips. Most of all though, I will remember Michael as a great friend and I will miss him,” Nash said.

He added: “My sincerest sympathies to his wife Sandra, his son Luke and his beloved colleagues in LMFM, especially his longstanding production team members and beloved colleagues, Maggie and Chris.”

Midlands North-West MEP and former RTÉ correspondent Ciaran Mullooly made reference to Michael’s statement last month, saying: “What an extraordinarily brave message to leave behind.”

In that statement, Mr Reade had said: 

“You know I thought, I could spend a lot of time being devastated and that, I’m sure, would be understandable to some degree but I thought, I just don’t have enough time left to do that.”

“I am looking at things that might otherwise have passed me by and I am getting so much pleasure from some very basic, simple things. A smiling face or a kind word, a ray of sunshine, breathing fresh air.”

“Being home with the people I love and knowing they love me, is priceless. There is nothing more important to me.”

Michael is survived by his wife Sandra, his son Luke, brothers, sister and extended family.