Following news that Gay Byrne has passed away aged 85, Dublin City Council has announced that it will open a book of condolence for the veteran broadcaster tomorrow.
The public will be given the opportunity to express their sympathies with the family of the former
Late Late Show host at the Mansion House on Dawson Street. The book will be open from 11am until 5pm tomorrow and again from 10am until 5pm on Wednesday.
Regarding the decision, Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe said "I am opening a Book of Condolence to allow the people of Dublin to express their sympathies to the family of Gay Byrne. Gay had a huge impact on Irish society and was more than just a broadcaster. During his time as the host of the
Late Late Show, he offered a platform for many varied and controversial issues and changed the social dialogue of the country."
https://twitter.com/LordMayorDublin/status/1191381936314433536
He added of Byrne: "Even after his retirement from the
Late Late Show, he did not retire from public life and showed the true meaning of active retirement through his ongoing broadcasting and as Chairman of the Road Safety Authority. On May 11 1999, he received the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin at the Mansion House and as a mark of respect, the Dublin flag on the Mansion House will be flown at half-mast. I would like to offer my personal sympathies to his wife Kathleen Watkins and their daughters Suzy and Crona, his extended family, friends and colleagues. He will be sadly missed.”
Since news of Byrne's passing broke,
tributes from fans and colleagues have poured in, with President Higgins among them.
