Journalist and campaigner Charlie Bird dies aged 74
Picture: Harnett Charlie Bird Kieran
Former broadcaster, journalist and campaigner Charlie Bird has died at the age of 74.
Mr Bird had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021.
His death was confirmed in a statement to RTÉ on Tuesday.
Mr Bird first joined RTÉ in 1974, with his first role being a researcher for the broadcaster's current affairs programming.
Six years after that, he was moved to the newsroom, where his work on international stories saw him promoted to chief news correspondent with RTÉ in the 1990s.
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During his time in that role, he covered the likes of the Gulf War and the Rwandan genocide, as well as the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks and the 2004 tsunami in Asia.
He also covered the Northern Ireland peace process and for many years was the point of contact between the state broadcaster and the IRA.
After a short spell as RTÉ's Washington Correspondent in 2009, he returned to his previous role of chief news correspondent in 2010, before retiring from RTÉ two years later.
In April of 2022, he invited colleagues, friends and members of the public to climb Croagh Patrick in Mayo - with the subsequent Climb with Charlie initiative raising more than €3.3m for Pieta and the Irish Motor Neurone's Association.
Throughout his illness, Mr Bird focused much of his attention on fundraising for various charities.
In April 2023, hundreds joined Mr Bird for his Hand of Friendship Walk in aid of Samaritans where he was hailed as an "inspiration".
He is survived by his wife Claire, daughters Orla and Nessa, grandchildren Abigail, Charlie, Edward, Harriet and Hugo, and his beloved dog Tiger.