Tributes pour in for veteran Louth broadcaster Michael Reade who has died aged 58

Tributes poured in after the untimely death of LMFM broadcaster Michael Reade just weeks after revealing his terminal cancer diagnosis to listeners.

Michael was a veteran of the regional airwaves in Louth and Meath and presented his current affairs programme on LMFM for 21 years. 

Earlier this month he won Gold at the IMRO Radio Awards for best Current Affairs programme on local radio.

Last month, he stepped away from the show and released a lengthy statement in which he revealed his terminal diagnosis but said, "there is no sadness around me. All of us are trying to be strong. Trying to be positive and trying to help each other through this - best we can."

Tánaiste Micheál Martin paid tribue to Michael remembering him as a “firm but fair interviewer”.
Mr Martin said: “My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Michael Reade, a broadcaster who made an incredible contribution to the people of Louth and Meath.

“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.”

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Labour TD and friend Ged Nash led tributes on Monday after Michael's death was confirmed at the age of just 58.

"My good friend Michael Reade passed away this morning after a short illness, aged 58.

“Michael was one of Ireland’s finest broadcasters. He was a truth-teller with a robust interview style that was always fair.

“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.

“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.”

Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, paying tribute to Michael said: “My thoughts are with his wife Sandra and son Luke, brothers, sisters, family and friends.

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

Michael's heartfelt and detailed statement about his outlook on life and death last month made a huge impact across the country. He thanked listeners and was upbeat despite his prognosis. 

He said: “Regular listeners to the station will probably know that I have not been at work in over a month, about six weeks now. I know some people listening would like to know why.

"Well, I am not known to stand on ceremony so, I will cut to the chase.

"I am not well. I am actually very sick. I have cancer.

"And I am afraid to say that my diagnosis is terminal. It is an illness in other words that I will not be able to recover from.

"Sounds awful, I know, but you know, I’m oddly okay with it. I have reconciled myself with the situation that I find myself in.

"I have accepted what I am facing in to. I know what it means. I am not afraid. I am not devastated.”

He continued: “But being home with the people I love and knowing they love me, is priceless.

“There is nothing more important to me.”