Noel Whelan R.I.P.

Comhrá

Shocked and saddened to hear this news this morning.

Noel was a very well regarded media commentator and he had a great insight into the political scene in Ireland and beyond. He is a great loss. Condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/writer-and-barrister-noel-whelan-dies-aged-50-after-short-illness-1.3953576

Beechwoodspark

Always got something from his weekly columns. Clever and insightful man.

I didn't know he had been ill, I think a lot of people didn't, so it's quite a shock. His greatest contribution to this country will have been his work for Marriage Equality.

It was a campaign that he wouldn't have benefitted from, but he believed in it out of respect for constitutional democracy and equal rights for all people.

Ar dheis Dé a anam. I disagreed with his politics, but there's no need to qualify condolence. He was a man of principle and has been said today (and will be said for a long time to come), a patriot.

10000maniacs

Every time he was on Marianne Finucane's Sunday programme he was the smartest guy in the room. The smartest guy in any room. He broke down complicated issues into their simple constituents. His analysis's of Irelands economic crash over the last 10 years on RTE were nothing short of epic. RIP and thanks.

is_that_so

RIP. Incredible enthusiasm for politics and as others have said very sharp. Loved his input on election counts. Terribly young to go.

Comhrá

10000maniacs wrote: »

Every time he was on Marianne Finucane's Sunday programe he was the smartest guy in the room. The smartest guy in any room. He broke down complicated issues into their simple constituents. His analysis's of Irelands economic crash over the last 10 years on RTE was nothing short of epic. RIP and thanks.

In all the programmes he took part in, he was the smartest, most astute member of the panel.

I always found that he could present the cogent facts of the topic on hand in a simple, direct fashion without using flowery language or cliches.

I understood many topics after Noel explained them, where more long-winded commentators left me confused.

Franz Von Peppercorn II

Shocking. His last filed column was Friday.

RIP

jmayo

I remember first coming across him on Questions & Answers.
I was not fan of him for his fianna fail connections, but he was undoubtedly smart and usually far smarter than most of those he was up against on any debate or talk show.

I didn't realise he was ill nor how actually young he was.
I always assumed he was much older.

RIP

Larbre34

A great loss to public discourse in Ireland as well unquestionably to his family and friends. RIP

gifted

I loved watching him at election times...explained what could happen very clearly and usually spot on with his predictions...RIP.

JupiterKid

Superb insightful political commentator. Far too young to go.

RIP

serfboard

Shocked to hear this, and a pity to hear that he's gone only at age 50. Contributed plenty to political discourse in this country, and would have had more to give.

Election coverage will be poorer for his passing.

RIP.

very sharp and clear political commentator, his IT columns were frequently the best thing in the paper and frequently the best insight into the machinations behind events as opposed to the "say what you see" available elsewhere.

he'll be missed.

pc7

Always turned up the radio when he was on, very interesting guy, sad to read this today.

Larbre34

The affection from all political sides today says a lot about him, genuine sorrow from FG and SF heads despite his lifelong FF association, none of the usual platitudes.

He was a man, a person, of the sort we are lacking today in the public arena; decent, even handed, deep of thought, considered, compassionate. He would have made a very worthy Judge or Attorney General down the line had he chosen those paths.

branie2

May he rest in peace

NewbridgeIR

I remember Noel from school in the Good Counsel College. He was a brilliant debater (no matter what the topic) and became a great political commentator. A very sad loss.

Calhoun

May he rest in piece, i was wondering all day why he was so familiar then i saw some of his interviews on RTE and it clicked.

Shocking to go so young but he seemed to have burned quite bright when he was around and leave behind a legacy to be proud of.

nacho libre

I like the way he was able to explain complex issues in simple ways for us lesser mortals. Not everyone with high intelligence is able to communicate to joe public in this way. It's shocking he died so young, but i guess he achieved more in his life than many of us who may live a lot longer a lot longer will. Ireland is a better place today thanks to people like him. I hope his wife and family can find some comfort in that

Larbre34

Larbre34 wrote: »

The affection from all political sides today says a lot about him, genuine sorrow from FG and SF heads despite his lifelong FF association, none of the usual platitudes.

He was a man, a person, of the sort we are lacking today in the public arena; decent, even handed, deep of thought, considered, compassionate. He would have made a very worthy Judge or Attorney General down the line had he chosen those paths.

I think his media contributions probably rendered him ineligible for a judgeship (once heard of a judge warning barristers never to even write a letter to a newspaper, lest they scupper their prospects) -- but you're right, he would have made an excellent and a conscientious judge.

This is a bit off-topic, but I sometimes wonder why McDowell was never appointed to the bench. There's a tradition that any AG is entitled to take to the bench, but he hasn't. Maybe he isn't interested (hmm), but I also wonder if it's because his articulate but fairly divisive public image has made him ineligible.

Similar situation with John Waters, but that probably is his own choice.

Atoms for Peace

Maybe that should be looked at. Could be one of the reasons for the such obviously out of touch judiciary in this country.

Spanish Eyes

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I think his media contributions probably rendered him ineligible for a judgeship (once heard of a judge warning barristers never to even write a letter to a newspaper, lest they scupper their prospects) -- but you're right, he would have made an excellent and a conscientious judge.

This is a bit off-topic, but I sometimes wonder why McDowell was never appointed to the bench. There's a tradition that any AG is entitled to take to the bench, but he hasn't. Maybe he isn't interested (hmm), but I also wonder if it's because his articulate but fairly divisive public image has made him ineligible.

Similar situation with John Waters, but that probably is his own choice.

I doubt there is a judge in the land that could command a brief fee of 10k per diem. Not judging (sic) McDowell, but it's a no brainer to avoid the bench if you are a very successful Barrister.

Condolences to Mr. Whelan's family.

serfboard

Listening to the Sean O'Rourke tribute today on podcast, I heard that his son is only 11. God, that's a very young (and impressionable) age at which to lose a parent.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I doubt there is a judge in the land that could command a brief fee of 10k per diem. Not judging (sic) McDowell, but it's a no brainer to avoid the bench if you are a very successful Barrister.

Condolences to Mr. Whelan's family.

That pension though.

Senior counsel pursue judicial appointments for the pension -- you'd need to save millions to match it.

Spanish Eyes

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

That pension though.

Senior counsel pursue judicial appointments for the pension -- you'd need to save millions to match it.

McD has a Dail pension surely. And if you are a successful and wealthy Barrister, first thing you do is plunge as much as possible into a private pension scheme for the tax relief.

The pension for judges is 1/2 final salary if you have served the relevant number of years. It is hardly millions per annum or anything.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

McD has a Dail pension surely. And if you are a successful and wealthy Barrister, first thing you do is plunge as much as possible into a private pension scheme for the tax relief.

The pension for judges is 1/2 final salary if you have served the relevant number of years. It is hardly millions per annum or anything.

Yeah, that's true. Just on judicial pensions -- i didn't say it was millions per annum, it's a multi-million euro pot.

That's why judges apply for it. Most judges in the superior courts take a pay cut because of the enormous value of the pension.

It's probably inappropriate to be discussing this in a thread about Noel Whelan. As far as we know, he never applied for a judicial position. However, it probably is worth remarking that for all his many talents, circumstances would have precluded him from being eligible -- given his media profile.

Calhoun

Great to see people being mature about it here some horrible ****ers online in other spaces.

You know you did something right when people are that vitriol against you for stupid reasons.

is_that_so

Calhoun wrote: »

Great to see people being mature about it here some horrible ****ers online in other spaces.

You know you did something right when people are that vitriol against you for stupid reasons.

If you have half a brain in your head getting past the party connection is extremely easy. He was one of the best in party political analysis and calling seats. His insights in the IT were always worth a read just to see such a sharp mind at work, whatever your stance on his ideas.

Calhoun

If only it was that he pissed off people for being a member of FF, was also because of his stance on the 8th and marriage referendum's.

is_that_so

Calhoun wrote: »

If only it was that he pissed off people for being a member of FF, was also because of his stance on the 8th and marriage referendum's.

Some people dont understand that persuading people always works best. You should let it go, they won't change.

lawred2

Had no idea the man was ill. Sad news

Calhoun

is_that_so wrote: »

Some people dont understand that persuading people always works best. You should let it go, they won't change.

Ah I know I just saying it's a breath of fresh air here as people are being respectful.

I would also add for the amount of nay Sayers there was at least three times people wishing condolences.

ILoveYourVibes

rip