The death has occurred of Monaghan comedian Michael Downey.
Mr Downey of Carrickmacross passed away at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda on Wednesday, according to rip.ie.
He was tipped as a rising star of the comedy circuit in 2001 when he came in joint third place with comedian Alan Carr in 2001 in the annual So You Think You're Funny stand-up competition.
Along with Karl Spain, Neil Delamare and Des Bishop, Mr Downey was among a promising new generation of Irish comedians.
However, in April 2002, three months after he left his job to become a full-time comedian, he was involved in a horrific car crash and sustained a traumatic brain injury.
He had made a return to comedy in 2010.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, brother Anthony and mother Mary.
