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RTÉ STAFF HAVE been paying tribute to their colleague Keelin Shanley in the wake of her passing.
The 51-year-old died following an illness, and her death was announced by the broadcaster yesterday.
The longtime journalist’s desk in RTÉ has been turned into a shrine as work on the general election continues:
Colleagues have also been paying tribute to her on the airwaves, with Rachael English and Sean O’Rourke speaking about their sadness over her death on the Today With Sean O’Rourke show.
“If Keelin was still with us she’d be here today and she’d be in the thick of [general election reporting] and she’d be loving every last minute of it,” said English, who described Keelin as intelligent, honest, and a “wonderful, warm, funny colleague”.
She said that she was “just a joy to work with” and that “not only was she great at her job – she could be a real divil as well”.
O’Rourke offered his own tribute, saying that Keelin Shanley “was as sweet as she was sharp”.
In particular, he described working with her more than 25 years ago in Galway on a series of arts programmes. “She was the researcher and I remember finishing the week thinking the wrong person presented the programme,” he said. “She was always wonderful to work with.”
He said that Keelin “had a really strong social conscience”.
“We miss her and we will miss her and will continue to miss her so much,” said O’Rourke, sending his and his team’s condolences to the late presenter’s family.
“[It's] the thing that overshadows… the show goes on obviously here on election day but it certainly is something. There is a cloud over us today,” he concluded.
A book of condolences has been opened to Keelin Shanley in RTÉ. One of those who signed the book was presenter Claire Byrne, who said that she will miss “our 7pm chats in the wardrobe department”, and thanked her colleague for her kindness.
Keelin grew up in Monkstown, Co Dublin and studied Science in Trinity College, moving to Italy to continue her research. However, she later moved into journalism.
She is mourned by her husband Conor Ferguson and son and daughter, Ben and Lucy.
Tributes have been pouring in for Keelin online since the news of her death broke:
Garda Info / Twitter
Garda Info / Twitter / Twitter
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Amazing leadership skills from Ekapol Chanthawong who lost his whole family as a kid. He then trained as a monk & then devoted his life to helping coach kids. He kept 12 children alive in a cave without food or light for 9 days. He will be last to leave tomorrow & is only 25 . One hopes he is treated as a hero and not a Villain as many Americans and westerners have him cast
Good to hear. He must be an excellent coach to have got through the long days of darkness and kept their spirits up. Not to mention that he led them to safety in the first place when the waters rose and forced them back there. He’s already saved their lives once, and they’ve stayed not only sane but cheerful. All credit to him in a really tough situation.
@jerry slattery: i was delighted to see your vision. i applaud you.
Great article, best of luck boys
Best of luck guys and massive respect to everyone!
I hope the other 5 people are out soon and all divers heading up this rescue are safe. This seemed almost impossible. Those little boys are amazing for staying so calm up against such a horrible situation.
As someone who’s a bit claustrophobic I’m really in awe of everyone involved in this operation, amazing stuff.
Absolute miracle! Fair play to the dive team and hopefully they all make it out okay.
An amazing description of what the lads are going through and how they are being rescued, hope the rest of the lads are brought out safely.
Great people in the world that put there life’s at risk to save people….. brilliant lads
Who’s gonna be 1st to make this into a movie!!!
@Annette: already been done: ace in the hole. Good film. Interesting angle.
I praise God Almighty for His mercy & kindness to all involved in this operation. & for providing the men & women who are involved.
Well done to all divers & crews in the cave & crews teams outside also.
To the children well done in keeping calm you have thought us how to
Deal in any situation by .calmness & smiles.
I spent every nite pray rosary of knots to find ways around all obticales you had
To solve & you did now I pray thanksgiving for all of you.
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