Tributes have been paid from across the journalism industry in Ireland after the sudden death of Co Derry native Brian Hutton.
The former deputy news editor of the Press Association in Ireland and Irish Times contributor died aged 46 on Saturday.
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins was among those who paid tribute to the former St Columb’s College student.
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“May I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Brian Hutton,” the President said.
“Brian was a fine journalist and known as a brilliant colleague with a reputation for reliability and a sensitive nature. He will be missed by so many.”
The northern editor of The Irish Times, Freya McClements, told the paper he was ‘the best of journalists, the best of friends and the best of men’.
“In the last week alone Brian featured prominently in reports of the release of the State papers and it is fitting that his byline was above another article in the paper on the day he died.”
McClements went on to commend Brian’s work on the recent Creeslough tragedy in Donegal.
Laura Hutton, a cousin of the Derry man and Deputy Picture Editor at the Dublin newspaper, said his family was broken by the news.
“A big bro more than a cuz, Brian gave me Prince, The Stone Roses, the three chords anyone really needs and encouraged me to study photography,” she said.
“He had a skill of getting you to tell him things you didn’t want to. A born journalist and a great mucker. We’re broken.”
SDLP MLA for Foyle Mark H Durkaan said he had gone to school with Brian and was deeply saddened by his loss.
“Shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the esteemed journalist Brian Hutton,” he said.
“I have known Brian since we were teenagers and have really enjoyed catching up when our professional paths have crossed over the years though his work for Press Association and the Irish Times.
“I respected him hugely as a journalist and as a man. My thoughts and prayers are with Brian's family, friends and colleagues at this dark and difficult time.”
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