RTE broadcaster David Davin-Power dies aged 72

RTE broadcaster David Davin-Power has died aged 72.

David's broadcasting career began in the 1980s, when he joined Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1.

In 1989, he left RTE for commercial radio station Century Radio, but returned to the national broadcaster in 1991 and was appointed as Northern Editor.

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During his time spent in Belfast, David covered the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

He then returned to Dublin, working as a senior political correspondent until his retirement in 2017.

Known to his colleagues and pals as DDP, David continued to work in the media after stepping away from RTE, most notably as a columnist and political commentator.

Tributes have been pouring in for David from politicians and journalists across the country.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "As a journalist and broadcaster, David was a trusted name who was welcomed into homes across the country throughout his long career."

Tánaiste Micheál Martin added that David dedicated himself to his job and was committed to public service broadcasting, saying that "over four decades, David covered many of the stories that shaped modern Ireland".

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald described him as "an influential journalist and broadcaster who covered important events in modern times, including the early days of the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement."

Kevin Bakhurst, Director General of RTE said in a statement: "DDP possessed one of the most incisive political brains at RTE and indeed in Ireland. For many years, he was familiar to audiences, colleagues and politicians as insightful, eloquent and scrupulously fair. Off-screen, he was also funny, a great storyteller and was hugely loyal to colleagues, friends and to RTE itself.

"More than all of that, he loved his family and spoke of them with huge pride and joy. When I saw him in the summer he was already very ill but was on great form - wanting to talk politics: Irish, UK, US and of course RTE. Always with a glint in his eye, some mischief and his memorable laugh. We will all miss him hugely."