Irish poet Michael Davitt dies

Irish poet and former RTÉ producer/director Michael Davitt has died suddenly. He was aged 55.

Mr Davitt, born in Cork in 1950, was a strong supporter of the Irish language and culture.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue today expressed his sorrow at the untimely death of Mr Davitt.

"Michael Davitt has been described as the Bob Dylan of the Irish language. He was central to the transformation of the Irish language into a form which allowed true expression of contemporary Ireland.

"The Blaskets and the Kerry Gaeltacht opened Michael's imagination and were always at the heart

of his writings. The Irish language has lost a true champion and hero."