Consumer champion Colm Rapple passes away

Long-serving Irish Examiner columnist Colm Rapple has passed away following a short illness.

The death of the well-known journalist, financial commentator, author, and economist was announced at the weekend. Mr Rapple is survived by his wife Nuala and children Simone and Rory. His funeral will be held tomorrow.

Mr Rapple came to prominence during the 1980s and 1990s, with both the Irish Press group and Independent Newspapers. He also featured as a financial columnist for the Irish Examiner for several years. He was widely credited with making the subject of personal finance more accessible to the public via his work.

Over the weekend, a number of tributes were paid to Mr Rapple; among them comments from President Michael D Higgins, who said his career was notable for his “deep commitment to social justice and equality”.

Seamus Dooley, head of the Irish branch of the National Union of Journalists, said Mr Rapple was “imbued with a sense of justice and fairness”.

“Colm was an outstanding journalist, a champion of the consumer who made financial journalism accessible and relevant,” he said.