Former RTÉ deputy director general Liam Ó Murchú dies aged 86

Tributes have been paid to the former RTÉ broadcaster and author Liam Ó Murchú, who has died aged 86.

Born in Cork, Mr Ó Murchú was former head of Irish language programmes, controller of programmes and deputy director general at RTÉ.

He also, however, was a popular presenter of programmes including the bilingual variety show Trom agus Eadrom for which he won a Jacobs award.

In the early 1980s he ran as a Fianna Fáil general election candidate in Cork North Central.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said last night that “although he was unsuccessful in that election Liam remained committed to public service and the Irish language and he continued his work in that regard”.

Mr Martin paid tribute to his “enormous contribution to Irish culture, heritage and the Irish language”.

He said he always found Mr Ó Murchú to be “an extremely kind, generous and good humoured character”.

“As the head of Irish language programming in RTÉ Liam played a pivotal role in promoting the language and will be remember by thousands of people across the country as the award winning presenter of Trom agus Eadrom,” said Mr Martin.

He was predeceased by his wife Margaret and is survived by eight children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.