Ryan Tubridy has paid tribute on his morning radio show to a former RTÈ newsreader following her sudden death.
Deirdre Purcell, the first female anchor on the RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock, passed away at the age of 77 on Monday morning.
Speaking on his RTE radio show on Tuesday morning, Ryan Tubridy praised the popular author and broadcaster, telling his listeners how she would be greatly missed by all of the staff at the broadcaster.
Paying tribute to the accomplished author, Tubridy said: "Every time I met her she was a very elegant person, a very interesting person, a very curious person.
"She was a great contributor to whatever programme she was working on, just a lovely, lovely person.
"I'm sure it's a very difficult time for her family. I was quite shocked when I heard she died.
"I wanted to pass on our condolences as a team and for me personally to Deirdre's family today. May she Rest in Peace."
Other members of RTE also paid tribute to the former journalist. Radio presenter John Creedon said she was encouraging to him when he started out.
"She encouraged me on many occasions when I was 'the new boy' around the radio centre. Thinking of Kevin and all of those closest to her," he said.
In a statement following the sad news, her husband Kevin Healy, and sons Simon and Adrian Weckler said: "We are all deeply grieving the sudden loss of Deirdre.
"To the day before her death, Deirdre was as full of plans, schemes and dreams as she always was.
"Deirdre made friends wherever she went and will be remembered by so many as a vibrant, clever and caring companion.
"The talent, vivacity and sharp mind that made her an award-winning journalist, a globally successful fiction writer and - in her youth - a talented Abbey Theatre actress, never left her. She was a force of nature and we will miss her desperately."
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