Details announced for funeral of RTÉ's former Northern editor Tommie Gorman
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The funeral details for former RTÉ northern editor Tommie Gorman have been announced.
The 68-year-old died on Tuesday at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. The Sligo native will be reposing at Séan Feehily’s Funeral Home in Cartron Cross in Sligo on Friday, June 28, from 4pm until 7pm.
Mr Gorman’s funeral mass will be celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Ransboro, Co Sligo, on Saturday, June 29 at 2pm. Burial will follow in Kilmacowen Cemetery. Mr Gorman’s family have requested the family home to be kept private, but the funeral mass will be livestreamed.
His family have requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Sligo Rovers Development Fund. Mr Gorman was "one of our most dedicated supporters and treasured figures within our community and beyond", the football club said.
Chairman Tommy Higgins said: "Tommie was one of Sligo Rovers' greatest champions."
In a statement on Rip.ie, Mr Gorman’s family said: “Tommie was a cherished husband, father, brother, and friend whose innate kindness and generosity of spirit touched the lives of all who know him.
Mr Gorman’s family have requested that any memories or stories about the former journalist be sent to tommiegormanstories@gmail.com, an account managed by his children.
Mr Gorman worked for RTÉ for more than 40 years. He was the station’s northern editor at the time of his retirement in 2021. He was made northern editor in 2001, a position he held for 20 years.
Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has paid tribute to his “friend” and said he “was with him just two weeks ago”. Mr Adams said he “was shocked like many to get the sad news.”
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Mr Adams said: “He had already texted me to tell me his cancer was back, and he was at the event with his doctor, Dr O’Toole.
“He told me, as he always did, that he was ‘never better,’ that was one of his little sayings, and the name of his book incidentally.
“He said to me ‘it’s no problem, we’ll be okay, I’m in the hands of this good man,’ and he actually gave me a hug and we had a yarn.”
Mr Adams went on to send “heartiest condolences and solidarity” to Mr Gorman's family. “It is a great loss to his family of course, to his friends, and to Ireland,” Mr Adams said.
Mr Gorman was diagnosed with cancer back in 1994. He was RTÉ’s Europe editor before moving to Belfast in 2001.