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Statement on the announcement of Seán O’Rourke’s retirement

Date: Tue 21st Apr, 2020 | 15:05

President Michael D. Higgins has today written to broadcaster Seán O’Rourke, on the announcement of Seán’s retirement from RTÉ.

In his letter, the President said:

“Sabina and I are delighted to send you our best wishes on the occasion of your retirement.

From those formative days in the newsroom of the Connacht Tribune, over the years you have used your skills and insights to inform the people of Ireland on a wide diversity of issues, and your announcement today will have filled RTÉ listeners with sadness, as they will be missing your voice, as part of their morning, which is not to accuse you of having become an institution.

May I take this opportunity then to thank you for the enormous contribution you have made to journalism in general, and to public broadcasting in particular.

Through your work, you have played a pivotal role in our national broadcaster’s service to the people of Ireland, providing your audiences with information and insights that, I have no doubt, contributed to greater understanding and greater trust in our democracy.

May I join with the many friends that you have made over the years in wishing you every happiness, health and fulfilment, as you begin this new chapter in your life.

Beir beannacht don todhchaí.”