RIP Marian Finucane

Agent Coulson · 02-01-2020 6:32pm #1

Marian Finucane has passed away aged 69 RIP.

One of the Countries finest broadcasters will be sadly missed.

Rows Grower · 02-01-2020 6:34pm

In all fairness she was one of the best, got a bit of a shock when I read it having listened to her fairly recently.

Slydice · 02-01-2020 6:37pm

Grew up with her voice. Learned a lot.

Arguably the person who brought issues to the consciousness of a great many of the People of Ireland which they might never have considered otherwise.

Gael23 · 02-01-2020 6:39pm

She was one of the best but a lifetime as an unrepentant smoker has caught up with her

JP Liz V1 · 02-01-2020 7:35pm

Was she ill?

RIP

dublinman1990 · 02-01-2020 7:57pm

Oh Jesus. That is a shock. One of the finest broadcasters to ever grace this country. RIP.

fergus1001 · 02-01-2020 8:02pm

F

Cork Boy 53 · 02-01-2020 8:06pm

RTE loses another of their long time personalities 2 months after Gay Byrne died. First big name death of the new decade at least in an Irish context. RIP.

Vince135792003 · 02-01-2020 8:12pm

Her tv documentary on the life and passing of Nuala O'Faoliean was as poignant and beautiful a documentary RTE have ever produced. I hope they show it in honour of her and her friend Nuala's memory. RIP.

Better Than Christ · 02-01-2020 8:17pm

Gael23 wrote: »

She was one of the best but a lifetime as an unrepentant smoker has caught up with her

As no cause of death has been announced, we don't know that. People, even heavy smokers, can die suddenly for all sorts of reasons.

pinkypinky · 02-01-2020 8:34pm

Shocked. She was a pioneer for women on the radio. When I was a child (in the 80s), I actually thought women weren't allowed to be DJs.

Martin Tyler AgueroooOO · 02-01-2020 8:37pm

Very sad she was a brilliant communicator and maybe should have got a chance at the Late Late.

FAMLEE · 02-01-2020 8:38pm

Mod: Banned.

McGrath5 · 02-01-2020 8:43pm

So sad to hear of her passing, weekend mornings just won’t be the same. Sure, the show wasn’t perfect by any stretch but it had a certain genuineness to it, real loss to broadcasting. RIP.

Arghus · 02-01-2020 9:09pm

Gael23 wrote: »

She was one of the best but a lifetime as an unrepentant smoker has caught up with her

Give it a rest.

You do know that non smokers die too right?

"Unrepentant." You sound like a jackass.

Snow Garden · 02-01-2020 10:36pm

Very sad. RIP.

LuciX · 02-01-2020 10:55pm

FAMLEE wrote: »

Mod: Banned.

What's that? Mod: Banned?!

Sleeper12 · 02-01-2020 11:00pm

LuciX wrote:

What's that? Mod: Banned?!

FAMLEE left many nasty comments across several RIP threads. My guess is that a MOD deleted a nasty comment & replaced it with the information that FAMLEE has been banned. That's how I read it anyway

holyhead · 05-01-2020 11:22am

Just listening back to her, fantastic moving and harrowing interview, with Nuala O'Faolain. Brilliant broadcasting. Wonderful to have to listen back to. Marian came across as sympathetic in a sincere way. O'Faolain was brilliant too. Dignified poised and eloquent. Sad to think they are both gone.

sporina · 04-01-2021 9:54pm

watching the doc now on RTE 1 - what age is John Clarke?

John Hutton · 04-01-2021 10:04pm

sporina wrote: »

watching the doc now on RTE 1 - what age is John Clarke?

Mid 80s

Azatadine · 04-01-2021 10:10pm

John Hutton wrote: »

Mid 80s

What does/did he do for a living?

Azatadine · 04-01-2021 10:38pm

Very sad listening to the retelling about Sinead , their daughter. Heartbreaking.

Mav11 · 04-01-2021 11:44pm

Azatadine wrote: »

Very sad listening to the retelling about Sinead , their daughter. Heartbreaking.

Also a very heartwarming documentary. Top class from RTÉ and I don’t often concede that!

AndrewJRenko · 04-01-2021 11:49pm

Odeta wrote: »

Think he could have been involved in horses

Sheep farming, and previously involved in an advertising agency, according to some coverage over the weekend.

NIMAN · 05-01-2021 12:36am

I have said it before, RTE do a good doc.

Really enjoyable, and an interesting life and woman.

Its only when you see the poor quality of reporters and presenters now, do you realise just how good Marian was.

Clue Girl · 05-01-2021 5:53am

Excellent programme. Got a very personal portrayal of Marian. The moments dealing with her daughter Sinéad’s death tugged at the heart. She was an excellent presenter and is greatly missed on our airwaves.

Icsics · 05-01-2021 10:14am

A compelling doc, the black & white was so effective I was mesmerised by John’s recollections. So sad they didn’t get more time

Thecageyone · 05-01-2021 11:54am

Gael23 wrote: »

She was one of the best but a lifetime as an unrepentant smoker has caught up with her

My mother died from cardiac arrest at 65, she was a heavy-ish smoker but the post mortem suggested this had nothing to do with her death, it was other issues related to heart disease that had gone undetected [in fairness, probably because docs would just put everything down to the fact she did smoke and was always up front about it]

05-01-2021 11:58am

Thecageyone wrote: »

My mother died from cardiac arrest at 65, she was a heavy-ish smoker but the post mortem suggested this had nothing to do with her death, it was other issues related to heart disease that had gone undetected [in fairness, probably because docs would just put everything down to the fact she did smoke and was always up front about it]

Marian had just returned from travel and autopsy showed pneumonia. We have to remember Covid testing wasn't done then, and she would by several counts have been high risk. It will never be known if it was a factor, but can't be discounted either.

Thecageyone · 05-01-2021 12:11pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Marian had just returned from travel and autopsy showed pneumonia. We have to remember Covid testing wasn't done then, and she would by several counts have been high risk. It will never be known if it was a factor, but can't be discounted either.

Smoking and pneumonia are certainly not a good mix, but I know as an ex smoker that it's one of the first questions you're asked for any check up. If you say you smoke they tick a box and then try relate everything to this. Of course it doesn't mean smoking wasn't a factor here, but may not have been at the same time. Either way, RIP, she was oft part of our back drop growing up, very familiar voice

Alfred123 · 05-01-2021 2:03pm

Marian was such a fantastic broadcaster and presenter. Loved her Sunday morning news radio show. Nothing much got past Marian.

The Claire Byrnes, Brendan O Connors and Ryan Turbidys are unfit for purpose when compared with the professionalism and self-possession that Marian displayed on air. She was at home on the radio

Sleep well, fair lady

sporina · 05-01-2021 3:08pm

John said she hadn't been well for 2 months so finished up work in Dec... she had Arrhythmias - had a procedure before India but that the result wasn't good - I assume he meant, not successful... glad they got to have their trip to India.. RIP... she was indeed a pioneer..

05-01-2021 3:15pm

sporina wrote: »

John said she hadn't been well for 2 months so finished up work in Dec... she had Arrhythmias - had a procedure before India but that the result wasn't good - I assume he meant, not successful... glad they got to have their trip to India.. RIP... she was indeed a pioneer..

They use an ablation technique in cath lab to try and "burn off" any area that might be contributing to arrhythmia. In many cases it is effective, in some it is not? but in some it takes several "goes" to achieve the result. With arrhythmia you are particularly prone to stroke and normally put on something to help prevent that, but the Ruth's disorder can cause episodic weakness, and ongoing tiredness if it is particularly troublesome. It can cause blackouts which make driving hazardous and maybe she was advised not be be doing the commute to RTÉ if it couldn't be controlled safely, and a taxi would be needed.

sporina · 05-01-2021 3:52pm

Deleted User wrote: »

They use an ablation technique in cath lab to try and "burn off" any area that might be contributing to arrhythmia. In many cases it is effective, in some it is not? but in some it takes several "goes" to achieve the result. With arrhythmia you are particularly prone to stroke and normally put on something to help prevent that, but the Ruth's disorder can cause episodic weakness, and ongoing tiredness if it is particularly troublesome. It can cause blackouts which make driving hazardous and maybe she was advised not be be doing the commute to RTÉ if it couldn't be controlled safely, and a taxi would be needed.

thanks for that - wer you watching the doc? John said she had been struggling with her health for 2 months prior to her last show on Dec 8th; had decided not to renew her contract in the NY and go to India.

Yyhhuuu · 06-01-2021 11:48pm

I had assumed given her travel history and age that her death was caused by DVT ( Deep vein thrombosis) May she RIP. She was a gifted broadcaster.

Whilst Marian was a gifted broadcaster with a formidable intellect let we not forget how elderly residents were evicted from their homes in the Mespil Apartments Ballsbridge Dublin in 1992 and sold by the then semi-state owned Irish Life Assurance to a golden circle of well- connected elites including broadcasters, politicians bankers etc with 100% loans given by irish nationwide's Michael Fingleton to some of the purchasers (Fingleton also bought apartments there).

The elderly residents were evicted. I knew one of these long term residents who were evicted.

Marian Finnucane bought an apartment there at a knock down price.

07-01-2021 12:05am

Yyhhuuu wrote: »

I had assumed given her travel history and age that her death was caused by DVT ( Deep vein thrombosis) May she RIP. She was a gifted broadcaster.

Whilst Marian was a gifted broadcaster with a formidable intellect let we not forget how elderly residents were evicted from their homes in the Mespil Apartments Ballsbridge Dublin in 1992 and sold by the then semi-state owned Irish Life Assurance to a golden circle of well- connected elites including broadcasters, politicians bankers etc with 100% loans given by irish nationwide's Michael Fingleton to some of the purchasers (Fingleton also bought apartments there).

The elderly residents were evicted. I knew one of these long term residents who were evicted.

Marian Finnucane bought an apartment there at a knock down price.

My aunt resided there, got the whole detailed story from her at the time, won't post it here. Apparently Marian herself wasn't quite aware of what was happening. I believe other(s) did the transaction on her behalf, legally, and that she learned of the actuality of her investment after the fact.

JustAThought · 07-01-2021 12:10am

100% mortgages in 1992 - while the nation was on its knees and the inly question when you graduated was whether it would be London or America to emigrate to as there was almost zero chance of employment.

64k for a 2 bed appartment in D4 beside the Burlo - who says knowing someone wasn’t the way to
go or to get a job. Not much has changed.

Is Gerry Ryans daughter still in radio? The job she walked into after her father snorted his way into a permanent plot? At least Marion was talented and professional in her role - but that was why she paid that huge salary courtesy of the taxpayer for all those years. Unlike nowadays. RIP.

Yyhhuuu · 07-01-2021 12:55am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

My aunt resided there, got the whole detailed story from her at the time, won't post it here. Apparently Marian herself wasn't quite aware of what was happening. I believe other(s) did the transaction on her behalf, legally, and that she learned of the actuality of her investment after the fact.

Amazing that a highly intelligent guards daughter( I.e. cute as a fox as Marian was ) wasnt aware of the history of the Mespil Estate Apartments and its long term residents, mostly elderly, being evicted with little statutory tenancy right at that time in 1992. I would have thought one would conduct due diligence to ensure one got vacant possession of an investment property prior to purchase even if she got it at a knockdown price. I recall her trying to excuse the purchase by saying she had no pension when queried. It was Gerldine Kennedy of the Irish Times who broke the story. Marian was part of the Golden Circle of Elites in Ireland.

07-01-2021 1:13am

Yyhhuuu wrote: »

Amazing that a highly intelligent guards daughter( I.e. cute as a fox as Marian was ) wasnt aware of the history of the Mespil Estate Apartments and its long term residents, mostly elderly, being evicted with little statutory tenancy right at that time in 1992. I would have thought one would conduct due diligence to ensure one got vacant possession of an investment property prior to purchase even if she got it at a knockdown price. I recall her trying to excuse the purchase by saying she had no pension when queried. It was Gerldine Kennedy of the Irish Times who broke the story. Marian was part of the Golden Circle of Elites in Ireland.

My aunt remained as a sitting tenant and was a thorn in the side of her particular landlord (not Marian!). They tried to scare her out at night when she was only remaining resident but she got male family members to stay with her at times and stood up to them, would call cops when banging on her door and walls would happen.

The story went that Marian had signed for her investments to be looked after by a trusted person(/s) and that she did not know specifically that purchase of one of these apartments was part of it. But like the Gaybo/Russell Murphy scenario, only the person(/s) acted very well in Marian's interest. I heard more details but won't post here. It was all fully legal, and Marian successfully took legal action over this.

John Hutton · 07-01-2021 9:33am

Alfred123 wrote: »

Marian was such a fantastic broadcaster and presenter. Loved her Sunday morning news radio show. Nothing much got past Marian.

The Claire Byrnes, Brendan O Connors and Ryan Turbidys are unfit for purpose when compared with the professionalism and self-possession that Marian displayed on air. She was at home on the radio

Sleep well, fair lady

By the end she had been phoning it in for several years. Her health issues offer an explanation I suppose.

ford fiesta · 07-01-2021 1:50pm

Yyhhuuu wrote: »

Amazing that a highly intelligent guards daughter( I.e. cute as a fox as Marian was ) wasnt aware of the history of the Mespil Estate Apartments and its long term residents, mostly elderly, being evicted with little statutory tenancy right at that time in 1992. I would have thought one would conduct due diligence to ensure one got vacant possession of an investment property prior to purchase even if she got it at a knockdown price. I recall her trying to excuse the purchase by saying she had no pension when queried. It was Gerldine Kennedy of the Irish Times who broke the story. Marian was part of the Golden Circle of Elites in Ireland.

What exactly has a guards child got to do with intelligence, or being cute as a fox?

07-01-2021 4:59pm

ford fiesta wrote: »

What exactly has a guards child got to do with intelligence, or being cute as a fox?

Weren't guards known to be (small time) investors in property in the time of the bedsits and maybe passed the know-how down through family?

Radio5 · 08-01-2021 4:21pm

Her father passed away when she was 12 which would have been 1963 or thereabouts, but maybe they discussed property investments before his passing, who knows?

Did Pat Kenny get the morning weekday show when Marian moved to weekends?

08-01-2021 9:34pm

Radio5 wrote: »

Her father passed away when she was 12 which would have been 1963 or thereabouts, but maybe they discussed property investments before his passing, who knows?

Did Pat Kenny get the morning weekday show when Marian moved to weekends?

I know in my own family of old property "culture" was a thing passed down through a couple of generations, even where initiating parent had passed on. Some of the women in my ancestral family (now I'm talking 30s through 50s onwards for some time) were given houses as a form of independence to either live in if single or to rent out when married as a personal independent income. Marian's mother would likely have had property to rely on for some extra income as a widow, and Marian might have grown up with a particular awareness of this as a reasonably reliable form of steady modest income, whilst having the asset of the property at the end of the day.

Yyhhuuu · 10-01-2021 12:28am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I know in my own family of old property "culture" was a thing passed down through a couple of generations, even where initiating parent had passed on. Some of the women in my ancestral family (now I'm talking 30s through 50s onwards for some time) were given houses as a form of independence to either live in if single or to rent out when married as a personal independent income. Marian's mother would likely have had property to rely on for some extra income as a widow, and Marian might have grown up with a particular awareness of this as a reasonably reliable form of steady modest income, whilst having the asset of the property at the end of the day.

I think this was it with Marian. When asked by her colleagues in mainstream print media why she invested in Mespil apartments in 1992 her response was that RTE didnt pay a pension as it doesnt for its independent contractors. Marian had other properties( not that theres anything wrong with that) apart from the Mespil apartment. However, I find it incredible that she was not aware of the history of Mespil Apartments prior to her purchase thereof.

An Ri rua · 10-01-2021 12:37am

Radio5 wrote: »

Her father passed away when she was 12 which would have been 1963 or thereabouts, but maybe they discussed property investments before his passing, who knows?

Did Pat Kenny get the morning weekday show when Marian moved to weekends?

Makes sense so. The pre-63 properties can make an excellent investment.

RIP Marian Finucane

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