RTE star Joe Duffy has been left heartbroken following the death of his beloved mum.
The Liveline host’s mother Mabel Duffy died on Sunday in a nursing home in Co Dublin “surrounded by her loving family”.
Joe’s agency, NK Management, announced the news on his behalf in a statement on social media, and shared a picture of Joe and his mother.
It read: “It is with great sadness that NK Management announce the passing of Joe Duffy’s beloved mother, Mabel, 92, on Sunday afternoon in Kiltipper Woods Care Centre surrounded by her loving family.”
Journalist and broadcaster Katie Hannon filled in for Joe on his RTE Radio One show yesterday.
She told listeners: “I am here today because, as many of you may know by now, Joe’s mother Mabel Duffy died yesterday.”
The presenter went on to offer her condolences to her colleague.
She added: “Joe has talked about his mother a lot when he was in this seat over the years so many of you feel you know her and listeners have been in touch already to let Joe know that you are thinking of him and his family today.
“And I’m sure all of you listening will join with us at the Liveline team in sending our condolences to Joe, and his siblings and all of the grandchildren and wider family at this sad time.”
Tributes poured in for the mother of the RTE stalwart online and under a death announcement on RIP.ie.
TV star and comedian Katherine Lynch wrote: “Very sad news for Joe. May she rest in peace. She looks so lovely.”
Irish activist Adi Roche said: “Dearest Joe and Family. Heartfelt condolences on the death of your darling mother Mabel.
“May she Rest in Peace. Her death will leave a void in all of your lives but take consolation in knowing she will watch and guide all of you, keeping you safe and close.”
Brigette Horan, head of RTE’s Wardrobe wrote: “Sincere sympathy to Joe and all the Duffy family. May your dear mother Rest In Peace.”
Another message read: “So sorry to hear of the passing of your lovely ma, she was a lovely lady.
“Many mornings I would see her in the garden and have a little chat with her she would always ask about all the old neighbours and how they were doing she will be greatly missed rest in peace Mrs Duffy.” The death notice describes the late Dubliner as “beloved wife to the late Jimmy, cherished mother of James, Joseph, Peter, Brendan and Pauline, predeceased by her youngest son Aidan (25).
“Sadly, missed by her loving family, sisters Monica and Patsy, in-laws, Bernard, Stephen and Marie, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.
“Grandmother to Wayne, Geoffrey, Ciara, Ian, Emma, Darragh, Seana, Conor, Ellen, Sean, Ronan and her great-grandchildren.”
Mabel will repose in Stafford’s Funeral home, Ballyfermot, today from 4pm to 6pm.
Her funeral will take place tomorrow with a Mass at 11.30am in St Matthew’s Church, Ballyfermot, followed by burial in Palmerstown Cemetery. The family have asked those attending to follow official HSE advice regarding face coverings.
Joe, who is a dad of triplets, often spoke lovingly about his mum, and said she was the person who kept him grounded as he rose to fame.
He said: “I’m not likely to ever lose the run of myself. Why? My mother Mabel says to me, ‘You’re never as good as they say you are, just as you’re never as bad as they say you are either. Just keep a grip and stay grounded.”
The news comes after Joe spoke of his concern for Mabel, who was cocooned in her family home at the height of the pandemic.
He told the Irish Mirror: “My biggest fear right now is for my own mother who is 92 years of age and she is cocooned at home in Ballyfermot.
“She lives on her own and she is very mobile and she is handling it really well so far.
“She misses Mass and not doing her Lotto and not getting her hair done or going to the local shop.
“So, she is managing but it is tough not being able to go into her.
“Unfortunately, a few of her friends have died from the same age group.
“But she has no underlying conditions so we reckon that once she stays cocooned, she will be fine.
“It is the same for everyone and you worry about your parents.” Joe, 66, has previously told how losing his younger brother Aidan in a car crash was the “single biggest wound” in his life, and recalled the heartbreaking moment he had to tell Mabel.
Speaking on the podcast, Human Nature presented by Rodney Edwards, he said: “That is without doubt the single biggest wound in my life, is Aidan’s death.
“The hardest thing I ever had to do in all my living life was go up to tell my mother that Aidan was dead, that’s what I had to do.
“I still find it difficult to talk about it, to knock on the door and your mother opens and you have to tell her that her youngest son is dead. Her life changed forever that day.”
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