Tributes paid to broadcaster Michael Reade, who has died, aged 58

Tributes are flooding following the tragic announcement of veteran broadcaster Michael Reade’s death.

Last month, Reade announced on LMFM that he had received a terminal cancer diagnosis.

He had presented his current affairs show on the aforementioned radio station for 21 years, although he first started in the industry 43 years ago at the age of 15.

Earlier this month, he was awarded the best current affairs program on local radio prize at the IMRO Radio Awards.

Since the announcement of his passing, tributes have flooded in all over social media, with Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O'Rourke saying he "made an incredible contribution to life" across the region.

O'Rourke added that Reade was "robust and fair as an interviewer and was a permanent and positive presence on the airwaves and in our homes".

The Taoiseach Simon Harris also paid homage in a statement, saying: "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.” The Taoiseach called the broadcaster’s death “a loss to journalism, a loss to the people of Louth and Meath but most particularly his family and friends.”

The Chair of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, John Purcell, also extended the condolences of everyone in the sector to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues: “Michael Reade was a passionate, committed and very talented broadcaster," he wrote. "He had a unique connection to his listeners in counties Louth and Meath and reflected their concerns and priorities fairly, accurately and with balance through his work, in the very best traditions of broadcasting.”

“On behalf of all of his friends and colleagues in the industry, we wish to say that our thoughts are with his wife Sandra, his son Luke, brothers, sister, extended family and friends and colleagues at LMFM at this time.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin called Reade “a firm but fair interviewer”, and characterised his passing as a “great loss for public service broadcasting.”

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. (2/2)

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 21, 2024

Minister for sport and education Thomas Byrne also took to X to pay his tribute, writing: "For over two decades, Michael’s voice accompanied many of our mornings with his flagship show on [LMFM]. We will greatly miss that voice. As an interviewer, Michael was amongst the most skilled and the best of them”

I am very sad to hear of the death of Michael Reade.

For over two decades, Michael’s voice accompanied many of our mornings with his flagship show on @LMFMRADIO. We will greatly miss that voice.

As an interviewer, Michael was amongst the most skilled and the best of them.

I…

— Thomas Byrne (@ThomasByrneTD) October 21, 2024

Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú sent his thoughts to Reade’s “wife Sandra & son Luke, brothers, sisters, family & friends."

He continued: “Michael was a tough, but scrupulously fair, interviewer, always well versed in the issues, really cared for the people of this area & always gave them a voice.”

Only after hearing the sad news that Michael Reade has died

My thoughts are with his wife Sandra & son Luke, brothers, sisters, family & friends

Michael was a tough, but scrupulously fair, interviewer, always well versed in the issues, really cared for the people of this area &… pic.twitter.com/PBy7ZYJafF

— Ruairí Ó Murchú (@ROMurchu) October 21, 2024

Louth TD Ged Nash described Reade as a "truth-teller with a robust interview style that was always fair and his "innate sense of social justice, fairness and decency informed his work".

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