Thom McGinty a familiar figure as The Diceman on Grafton Street and one of Ireland's favourite entertainers has died.
Thom McGinty got his Diceman name by standing perfectly still to promote The Diceman shop off Grafton Street in Dublin.
By the time the shop closed down, Thom McGinty was already known as The Diceman and entertaining Dubliners and visitors to the city. As a street artist, Tom McGinty was a master of mime and minimal movement taking on the role of a variety of colourful characters in elaborate costumes.
The Diceman was famous for a slow walk, a skill he perfected to comply with instructions from An Gardaí not to loiter on Grafton Street. This slow walk became a further attraction and drew more spectators to Grafton Street. The Diceman brought many smiles with a trademark wink.
In October 1994, Thom McGinty revealed that he was HIV positive. On 11 November 1994, he appeared as a guest on The Late Late Show and spoke to Gay Byrne about the diagnosis.
One of his last public appearances was at the Irish premiere of 'Interview with a Vampire' on 16 January 1995.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 February 1995. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
