Life of broadcaster Michael Reade to be celebrated in TLT Centre

LIVES REMEMBERED - Michael Reade, Drogheda

The death on Monday morning of LMFM broadcaster, Michael Reade, has led to tributes from listeners across the community as well as from civic, political, and religious leaders.

He died at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, aged 58. Only last month, the host of the current affairs morning programme which he presented for 21 years shocked listeners when he revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

In a candid pre-recorded segment he revealed that despite the cancer diagnosis, he was "not afraid of dying" and was “embracing positivity” while spending as much time as possible with his loved ones.

This morning (Tuesday), LMFM Radio, which covers Meath and Louth, broadcast a poignant interview which Michael had recorded with Pat O'Shaughnessy, where he looked back on his career, spoke of his memories and favourite music, and thanked his employers, listeners and family, in a piece that was to be broadcast after his death.

Michael, of Thomas Street, Drogheda, is survived by his wife, Sandra, son Luke, sister Antoinette, brothers Damian, Sean and Martin, and extended family. Originally from Greenhills, Dublin, he was predeceased by his parents, Ronnie and Rose, and infant brother, Ronnie. Michael made the decision to donate his body to the RCSI for medical research, and a celebration of his life will take place at 11am this Friday, 25th October, at The TLT Centre, Drogheda.

Earlier this month, Michael won Gold at the IMRO Radio Awards for best Current Affairs programme on local radio. Earlier this year he was presented with a special award for his commitment to highlighting the abuse of children in educational institutions through his role as a broadcaster.

The NUJ member was presented with the Recognition of Excellence award on behalf of CVSA, an international network of people who have experienced child sex abuse. The important role of local radio in giving a voice to victims of child sex abuse was highlighted at a ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House when Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste presented the broadcaster with a special award.

The nomination recognised Michael’s outstanding coverage of the campaign to have Edmund Garvey, head of the Christian Brother Congregation, removed from the roll of honour as a Freeman of Drogheda because of his role in developing a legal strategy which placed severe impediments in the way of victims of abuse seeking legal redress against the order. The Lord Mayor also presented civic certificates of appreciation to Michael and to LMFM.

Speaking from Dubai on Monday, where she was signing a extradition agreement with the authorities there, Meath East Fine Gael TD and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, said: "I am really saddened to hear of the passing of Michael, who has been the voice of current affairs and debate across Meath and Louth for over 20 years. For 12 of those years, I have been a regular on his show and was always greeted with a smile in studio. I will always remember Michael as being someone with whom you could have a robust debate and then a laugh afterwards. He has helped to inform, to educate and to get answers on behalf of people all across the north east.

“I offer my deepest condolences to Michael’s family, his wife Sandra, his son Luke, his brothers, his sister and to all his family and friends. Michael will be a huge loss to his family, to all his former colleagues in LMFM, and to his many listeners.”

Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, expressed 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,” he stated. “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.”

Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), described Michael as "the quintessential local radio broadcaster who knew his audience and never compromised his principles for the sake of career advancement or an easy life".

"Michael was a courageous broadcaster who believed in local radio,” he stated.

“In Midlands Radio 3 and LMFM he won respect for his single-minded approach to getting behind the headline. His style often made those in positions of power, influence and authority uncomfortable, but Michael saw his role as being to challenge and question."

On behalf of the NUJ, Séamus extended sympathy to Michael's wife Sandra, son Luke and to the wider Reade family.

Ian McGuinness, NUJ Irish Organiser, said Michael was firmly committed to upholding editorial values.

"Michael was prepared to stand up to anyone who sought to restrict his views. He was committed to the NUJ Code of Conduct and was also fiercely brave in the face of adversity. This was reflected in his work and, poignantly in his recent statement making public his terminal illness,” he said.

The Auxillary Bishop of Armagh, Bishop Michael Router, said he was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Michael Reade.

“Michael covered a wide variety of topics relating to the Louth/Meath area and many issues of national and international importance.,” he said. “Michael invited Archbishop Eamon Martin and myself on to his show separately on numerous occasions over the last decade, and while he was straight talking and robust in his style, his interviews were always fair, forensic and insightful.”

The bishop continued: “He had a deep sense of justice and a care for those who were vulnerable. On the topics that he spoke about to Archbishop Eamon and myself, issues such as peace and reconciliation, drug abuse, the work of the Family Addiction Support Network, the housing shortage, the increasingly disturbing attitude to refugees and immigrants, we often found that we shared common ground. On Church issues, Michael was challenging but was always respectful and willing to listen.

“Michael’s passing will leave a void in the hearts of so many people, especially his loved ones, his colleagues in LMFM, and his many loyal listeners across a large and populous north-east region. On behalf of the Archbishop and myself, I offer deepest sympathies to Michael’s wife Sandra, his son Luke, his brothers, sister, extended family and wide circle of friends.”