The death has been announced following a short illness of the former RTÉ newscaster and presenter, Derek Davis. He was 67.
During a long career, he presented several radio and television programmes including Live at 3.
Born in Co Down, Derek Davis began his media career as a news journalist, working with the American network ABC and BBC Northern Ireland before moving to the newsroom in RTÉ.
He later moved into light entertainment - and is fondly remembered for his work alongside Thelma Mansfield on the popular afternoon show Live at 3.
He worked on a range of other shows, including The Season That's In It and Davis, won two Jacob's Awards and was twice presenter of the Rose of Tralee.
He also introduced US President Ronald Reagan when he visited Ireland.
Meanwhile, his love of the marine came to the fore in the late 1990s when he presented the programme Out of the Blue.
He also worked on several radio shows including A Question of Food and following his retirement from RTÉ presented a show on the radio station 4FM.
He suffered from health problems in later years and spoke openly about his battle with his weight.
Last year he underwent gastric surgery which saw him losing over five stone. He discussed the operation with Brendan O'Connor on The Saturday Night Show.
A talented and versatile broadcaster, Derek Davis was a very popular figure with radio and television audiences alike.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
Paying tribute Noel Curran, Director-General, RTÉ, said: “Derek Davis was a hugely popular man, both with audiences and with his colleagues in RTÉ.
"He was one of the first presenters I worked with as a television director and he was always generous with his time and advice, then and after. He was full of humour and warmth and was one of the most versatile presenters RTÉ has seen.
"But at heart he was always a journalist, and he brought that inquisitive sense of journalism to everything he did. From Live at Three to the Rose of Tralee, from Liveline to regional reports on the 2007 General Election for Drivetime, Derek Davis’s popular approach was always rooted in that strong journalism, which had marked his earlier years as a reporter and newsreader.
"He will be fondly remembered as part of the first two-hander news presentations with Anne Doyle, as well as his long-lasting pairing with Thelma Mansfield, just two of the many highlights in a long and distinguished career. I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to Derek’s wife, his three sons, his extended family, and former colleagues.”
Watch a selection of Derek clips, and hear him sing the country-flavoured Come My Little Son:
