I was deeply saddened to hear this morning of the death, after a short illness, of LMFM presenter Michael Reade.
Michael presented his current affairs programme for twenty-one years and, in that time, he covered a wide variety of topics relating to the Louth/Meath area and many issues of national and international importance. Michael invited Archbishop Eamon Martin and myself on to his show separately on numerous occasions over the last decade, and while he was straight talking and robust in his style, his interviews were always fair, forensic and insightful.
Michael had a deep sense of justice and a care for those who were vulnerable. On the topics that he spoke about to Archbishop Eamon and myself, issues such as peace and reconciliation, drug abuse, the work of the Family Addiction Support Network, the housing shortage, the increasingly disturbing attitude to refugees and immigrants, we often found that we shared common ground. On Church issues Michael was challenging but was always respectful and willing to listen.
Michael’s passing will leave a void in the hearts of so many people, especially his loved ones, his colleagues in LMFM, and his many loyal listeners across a large and populous north-east region.
On behalf of the Archbishop and myself, I wish to offer my deepest sympathies to Michael’s wife Sandra, his son Luke, his brothers, sister, extended family and wide circle of friends.
May he rest in peace.
ENDS
- Bishop Michael Router is Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese Armagh
