Statement by President Higgins following death of Michael O’Regan
Date: Mon 19th Feb, 2024 | 13:02
“I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Michael O’Regan.
Retaining his interest in politics until his passing, he will be missed by people from all aspects of politics.
Michael O’Regan’s journalistic career coincided very closely with my own time in Leinster House and he was a journalist for whom I, together with so many others, had the utmost respect.
Throughout the many years in which we met, Michael was always warm and engaging in conversation on the many topics which were for discussion. He was incredibly courteous, and a perfect judge of when an injection of the humour, upon which he drew from his proud Kerry background, was needed.
Michael was from a classical Rathmines College school of journalism that prioritised context, thus standing behind his reporting on any matter was the very significant work which he had put into researching and locating the issue in time and any previous statements by the interviewee.
This grounding of his work in extensive research ensured that Michael not only brought a full understanding of each of the topics on which he wrote to the readers of the Irish Times, but also to those who benefited from his regular contributions to radio and television panel discussions.
Prior to becoming an Oireachtas reporter, Michael made a significant contribution in his coverage of the Kerry Babies Tribunal, both during the tribunal itself and in his book on that tragic event and its handling.
In recent years, Michael wrote about his cancer treatment with great dignity. In writing with such clarity and honesty of his treatment, he provided a great service to others in helping provide a sense of understanding and how they may seek to face their own treatments. As ever, Michael’s meticulous skills of context, warmth and clarity were to the fore.
He will be missed by all of us who knew him. May I express my deepest sympathies to all of his family, friends and colleagues.
Síocháin síoraí dá anam.”