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Charlie Bird dies aged 74 after battle with motor neurone disease

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Charlie Bird died at the age of 74 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021. His death was confirmed in a statement to RTÉ on Tuesday.

In 2022, he was the subject of an RTÉ documentary Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear and his book Time and Tide was named Biography of the Year at the An Post Book Awards.

Since his diagnosis with MND, he kept followers updated on his fundraising efforts and his health on social media, frequently sharing videos of himself and his beloved dog Tiger.

He was diagnosed in 2021 with motor neurone disease, which he developed after experiencing problems with his voice.

At the time, he described the diagnosis as a “nightmare” after going public and explained he had lost two former RTÉ colleagues and friends to the disease.

In July last year, Bird shared his MND had progressed and had “taken a turn for the worse”.

In his final post on X on February 29, Bird wrote that he was “still hanging in” and showed gratitude for carers across the country.

“I want to extend the hand of friendship to all carers across the country. I now have first hand experience of the valuable work they do. I am still hanging in. And in April I will be leading a walk in Wicklow for all Samaritan volunteers. Details to follow,” he said.

Just days earlier, he shared that his “health has changed completely” writing: “My health has changed completely. I now have to be hoisted in and out of bed. I want to thank my neighbours and carers for all they are doing for me. I was honoured I was able to join the Stardust relatives yesterday marking the 43rd anniversary of that dreadful night.”

Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, said: “Although we have been expecting this news, it is still a moment of enormous sadness.

“Supported by his wife Claire, Charlie lived his battle with motor neurone disease in the public gaze, with characteristic determination and searing honesty.

“The qualities he has manifested during his illness – grit, fierce determination and generosity of spirit – were the same qualities which marked Charlie Bird as a journalist.

“He was passionate about news and had a unique ability to develop relationships. He was stubborn and relentless in pursuit of whatever he set out to achieve.”

He added: “His life should not be defined by his illness but by the remarkable qualities he displayed in the face of adversity. He leaves a remarkable legacy.

“In retirement from RTE he enjoyed the freedom to pursue new projects. His commitment to the marriage equality referendum campaign reflected his genuine interest in social justice.

“I extend sympathy to Claire and to all who will miss Charlie, including so many NUJ colleagues and friends.

“Charlie was a lifelong member of the NUJ and a former chair of Dublin broadcasting branch.”

He raised more than €3.6m for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental health charity Pieta House through his Croagh Patrick hike, Climb with Charlie.

Born in Sandymount, Dublin, in 1949, Bird was a fixture on Irish TV screens, becoming the broadcaster’s chief news correspondent.

He covered major news events including the 1981 Stardust fire in which 48 young people died and reported extensively on the Troubles in Northern Ireland and covered major news events ranging from the Haiti earthquake in 2010 to the September 11 attacks in 2011.

The correspondent retired from RTÉ in 2012.

He is survived by his wife Claire, two children, grandchildren and three brothers.

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Source: NewsFinale

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