LAST UPDATE | 8 Dec 2021

THE MOTHER OF RTÉ sport commentator Marty Morrissey passed away after a single-car collision in Co Clare in the early hours of yesterday morning. 

It was reported yesterday that a woman in her 90s had died after the crash in Co Clare.

The road collision occurred at Annagh, Miltown Malbay at around 12.30am yesterday morning.

It has since been confirmed that this was Peggy Morrissey, mother of the RTÉ sports commentator and presenter. 

RTÉ director general Dee Forbes has expressed her condolences to Morrissey in a statement this afternoon. 

“We were shocked and saddened to learn this morning of the sudden passing of our colleague Marty Morrissey’s beloved mother, Peggy,” Forbes said. 

“We have been in touch with Marty to offer him our sincere condolences but to also offer him our support and to afford him the time and space to come to terms with his tragic loss,” she said. 

“Our thoughts are with Marty and his family and close friends at this saddest of times.” 

Earlier today, RTÉ sport journalist Darren Frehill passed condolences on to Morrissey on behalf of himself and his colleagues, saying he knew Marty “meant the world” to his mother.

Frehill said on RTÉ radio’s Rising Time programme that it was “desperately sad” and a “devastating loss”, adding that Peggy was “extremely popular” in her local community in Co Clare. 

Rising Time presenter Shay Byrne said the show had received “hundreds of texts” from listeners in relation to Peggy’s death. 

Fianna Fáil Clare TD Cathal Crowe offered his “very deepest sympathies” to the popular sports and entertainment presenter. 

“RIP Peggy, light of heaven to your soul,” he said on Twitter.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin