Heartbroken Duffy mourns ‘warm friend’

A HEARTBROKEN Joe Duffy struggled to hold back tears as he spoke of his utter shock over the death of his “bold, bold boy” RTÉ colleague Gerry Ryan.

Speaking during an extended tribute edition of Drivetime, the devastated Liveline presenter choked back emotions as he was asked for his reaction to the death.

After a moment’s silence on air, the popular presenter composed himself, describing his friend of more than 30 years as bold, brave, cheeky and instantly loveable.

“I first met Gerry in 1979, with his long coat and his long hair. He was bold, in every sense of that word. Brave in his broadcasting, brave in his life, he lived his life to the full,” Mr Duffy said.

“He was bold in the sense of being cheeky, bold in the sense of being arrogant.

“He brought people into his life, and every single person who listened to him 15 hours a week. They loved their life with him.

“He was always so honest about how he felt about people... Where we are in Ireland in 2010, we’re worse off without him.

“He was the best broadcaster, a bold, bold boy,” he said. Mr Duffy had earlier presented his weekday Liveline phone-in programme oblivious to the tragic death of his close friend.

He had been aware Mr Ryan was not in work yesterday, and had jokinglyreferred to the shock-jock’s interview with Heather Mills the previous night.

Mr Duffy was not told about what had happened until after his show when the death was relayed to him by Clare Duignan, managing director of RTÉ radio, and Cathal Goan, director general of RTÉ.

Mr Duffy described the 53-year-old’s death as “a catastrophe of epic proportions for his family”. He added that those who were “lucky enough” to know him would be devastated by the news of the loving father and warm friend who was exactly like his on-air persona – “only better”.

“He would give any of us lessons in parenting. Everything was totally genuine with Gerry. When you were in his company, anyone who was in his company, would feel they knew him.

“He always had that phrase for people he knew – ‘how’ya buster’.”

Speaking later on Six One News, Mr Duffy said his “last special memory” of Mr Ryan was three weeks ago during a night out with Gay Byrne. “He had a reputation for staying out late, but he was the first to leave that night. The last thing he said to me was ‘make sure you get Gay a taxi, make sure’. That’s what he was like.”