President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to two pillars of RTÉ: North West correspondent Eileen Magnier, as well as Radio 1 and newsroom mainstay Bryan Dobson.

Magnier retired this week after 39 years at the station. She was appointed as regional correspondent in 1990, becoming the first female correspondent at RTÉ. She reported from Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and beyond, across all of RTÉ’s flagship news programmes on all platforms, from television and radio to digital and print.

President Higgins called Magnier “a trusted and familiar face and voice to people of all ages and circumstances across the region” in a tribute posted to X.

President Higgins has sent a message to Eileen Magnier following her retirement after 39 years of regional reporting for RTÉ pic.twitter.com/b9k1rUXjKt

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) May 3, 2024

“I recall, as an example of her good judgement, her sensitive reporting of the tragedy that unfolded in Creeslough,” wrote President Higgins, referring to the 2022 Applegreen explosion that claimed 10 lives. “She brought the immense and bewildering sense of loss being experienced by the local community into the consciousness of the wider public in a way that demonstrated the best of public broadcasting.”

Broadcaster Bryan Dobson bid farewell following a remarkable career of 37 years presenting flagship RTÉ news and current affairs programmes.

After hosting his last edition of the News At One programme on RTÉ Radio 1 today, Dobson was commended by President Higgins, who thanked him for his “significant contribution” to Irish journalism and public service broadcasting.

A message from President Higgins to Bryan Dobson who retires today after 37 years in the newsroom pic.twitter.com/riifls4Zf2

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) May 3, 2024

“Bryan’s respectful, reassuring and calm demeanour as he conducted his interviews, including throughout so many pivotal public moments in Irish life will have been appreciated, and indeed be greatly missed, by an Irish viewing and listening public,” President Higgins said in a post to X.