Death of Gerry Ryan
[12] This led to comparisons, including from broadcaster Marian Finucane[13] and drugs minister Pat Carey,[14] with the 2007 death of model Katy French.
According to journalist Kevin Myers, Ryan's usage of cocaine surprised many of those who mourned his sudden death and, he said, this realisation of double standards has upset much of the public.
[20][21] Ryan's funeral on 6 May 2010 was broadcast live online and to his listeners on RTÉ 2fm, marking the first time in its history that the predominantly musical station aired a Mass.
[29] Meanwhile, musician Jerry Fish travelled to Dublin from his County Carlow home to rehearse the song "All the Time in the World" which he and Ryan were scheduled to perform at the National Concert Hall on 5 May as part of a Mooney special.
Mary McAleese said Ryan "was an extraordinarily talented broadcaster whose unique communication skills and larger than life persona entertained and enlivened a national audience over many years.
[34][35] Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin said Ryan had "stretched and extended boundaries of radio broadcasting in Ireland" with his "legendary" existence and "comfortable personal style with interviewees".
[34] Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny spoke of his "deep shock and regret" and "recognise[d] the enormous contribution Gerry Ryan has made to broadcasting in Ireland and to the development of Irish society as a whole over the last 25 years".
[34] There were other tributes from the Labour Party communications spokesman Liz McManus, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, Seán Haughey and Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello.
[37] Gay Byrne, describing Ryan's death as a "terribly frightening thing", said he would remember the broadcaster as being "full of fun and hilarity and pure bloody devilment".
[39] Liveline presenter Joe Duffy was reported by The Irish Times to have "choked back tears live on air" on the afternoon of Ryan's death.
[42] Today with Pat Kenny opened the following Monday with the presenter describing "an ache at the heart of everything we do" and expressing his "happ[iness] for my part to canonise him in the hierarchy of broadcasting greats".
[39][49] Tributes on the show came from, among others, Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Joe Duffy, Dave Fanning, Brenda Donohue and David Blake Knox.
[37] There were contributions from Philip Boucher-Hayes and Brenda Donohue and 16 July 1992 interview with rape victim Lavinia Kerwick, considered an important moment in the show's history.
[59] 1,300 people honoured Ryan with a minute of silence after his death was announced during a talent contest in Ibiza, with a TG4 TV crew who were filming the event also capturing this moment.
[51] RTÉ announced its radio centre at its headquarters at Montrose in Donnybrook would open on 1 May from 12:00 until 18:00, to give people an opportunity to sign a book of condolence in Ryan's memory.
[36][43] It was delayed by one day as Ryan's death clashed with a bank holiday weekend and there was no desire to take advantage of his high-profile status, according to a family spokesperson.
[71][72] This marked the first occasion on which Mass was broadcast on the predominantly music station in its history, with Head of 2fm John McMahon calling it "an unprecedented situation".
[71][73] Notable attendees included former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Pat Kenny, who landed on his motorcycle, and Dave Fanning, who brought along some of Ryan's favourite music.
[79] Those attending the funeral queued from 10:00 on 6 May, whilst hundreds of ordinary people gathered several hours ahead of the hearse's arrival to weep, talk and clutch sympathetic banners and photographs of the broadcaster.
[81] Famous personalities present included broadcasters Mark Cagney,[82] Joe Duffy,[81] Marian Finucane,[80] Larry Gogan,[80] John Kelly,[81] Pat Kenny,[80] Fiona Looney,[81] Aonghus MacAnally,[80] Hector Ó hEochagáin,[80] Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh,[81] Gráinne and Síle Seoige,[80] Ryan Tubridy,[80] Marty Whelan,[81] and Director-General of RTÉ Cathal Goan and former RTÉ director-general Bob Collins,[80] as well as designer John Rocha,[80] promoter John Reynolds,[80] Hot Press editor Niall Stokes,[80] celebrity solicitor Gerald Kean, developer Harry Crosbie,[81] comedian Brendan Grace, chef Derry Clarke,[81] singer Linda Martin,[81] TV presenter Craig Doyle,[81] The Afternoon Show's Maura Derrane and Sheana Keane,[82] music manager and TV talent judge Louis Walsh,[1] Boyzone member Keith Duffy,[81] musician Sharon Corr,[83] entertainer Twink[81] model Glenda Gilson,[82] and Riverdance founders Moya Doherty and John McColgan.
[81] Rival Today FM broadcasters Ray D'Arcy (whose radio show aired during the same hours as Ryan's), Ian Dempsey and Tony Fenton were also present.
[80][82] One notable absentee was veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne who was abroad on "a long-standing arrangement to leave Ireland on Monday morning which I couldn't break".
[80] Westlife, who flew in from the UK dressed in black and white, and the Dublin Gospel Choir duetted on a tearful a cappella rendition of "You Raise Me Up" after Holy Communion.
[93] Lottie and Rex Ryan received a posthumous accolade on behalf of their father, presented to them by Dave Fanning at the People of the Year Awards on 11 September 2010.
[23] Ryan Tubridy requested a round of applause for Gerry at the launch of his book JFK in Ireland at the Mansion House, Dublin on 27 October 2010.
Ryan's friends and RTÉ received criticism for their lack of comment since the emergence into the public arena of his cocaine usage at the inquest, despite having eulogised him after his death.
[13] Liveline presenter Joe Duffy, a former neighbour of Ryan, said he "knew nothing" about the broadcaster's cocaine habit and described himself as being "naive" and "taken aback by the revelation at the inquest".
I just hope none of his children go to a petrol station, or to a shop today, so they can avoid having to see the coverage in the newspapers, I remember when Katy French died thinking the same thing about her family.
O'Callaghan was criticised and intimidated after commenting on the matter in public,[100] while Michael O'Doherty, writing in the Evening Herald, posed the question: "Gareth, why the 16-year silence on Gerry?
[16] Alan Shatter of Fine Gael advised authorities to "wage all out war" on Ryan's cocaine supplier, while Pat Rabbitte of the Labour Party said allegations of corruption were "very serious from a reputable journalist".
