Funeral to take place in Co Sligo for former RTÉ northern editor Tommie Gorman

Tommie Gorman, who died on Monday at hospital in Dublin.

A funeral for former RTÉ News northern editor Tommie Gorman is to take place this weekend in his native Co Sligo.

The 68-year-old, who has been praised as a ‘titan’ of journalism, died on Tuesday at a hospital in Dublin, three years after retiring from RTÉ after a four decade-long career as one of its most trusted correspondents.

Tommie had previously been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 1994, and one of his final pieces of work with RTÉ was a 2021 documentary describing his ongoing battle with the illness.

Tributes have continued to flood in for the broadcaster since news of his death broke, including from both sides of the political divide in the north, where he built a rapport with representatives of all parties during his two decades as northern editor.

A death notice describes him as the “cherished husband of Ceara Roche and father of Moya and Joe”.

It adds: “He will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife, daughter, son, sister Mary, brother Michael, wider family, former colleagues, neighbours and many friends.”

In a statement, his family said: “Tommie was a cherished husband, father, brother, and friend whose innate kindness and generosity of spirit touched the lives of all who knew him, his memory will forever remain in our hearts, and his spirit will continue to guide and inspire us every day.”

A funeral mass will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Ransboro, Co Sligo, on Saturday at 2pm.

A burial service will be held later at Kilmacowen Cemetery.

Tommie’s family have requested donations be made to the Sligo Rovers Development Fund in lieu of flowers.

A spokesperson for the soccer club described Tommie as “one of our most dedicated supporters”.