Tommie Gorman

For the founder of the National Hockey League, see Tommy Gorman.

Tommie Gorman
Born(1956-04-03)3 April 1956
County Sligo, Ireland
Died25 June 2024(2024-06-25) (aged 68)
NationalityIrish
EducationSummerhill College
College of Journalism, Rathmines
OccupationJournalist
Notable credit(s)RTÉ News (1980–2021)
Europe Editor (1989–2001)
Northern Editor (2001–2021)
European of the Year (2001)
SpouseCeara Roche
Children2

Tommie Gorman (3 April 1956 – 25 June 2024) was an Irish journalist. He worked for RTÉ News from 1980 to 2021, where he was the former Northern Ireland editor.[1]

Gorman was known for his personal interviews with figures such as Seán Quinn, Gerry Adams and Roy Keane, the latter following the 2002 Saipan incident. He retired in April 2021.

Life and career

Gorman was born on 3 April 1956.[2] He began his journalistic work with the Western People newspaper in County Mayo, where he worked for journalist John Healy.[3] He joined RTÉ in 1980 and became North-West correspondent.[4] In 1989, he moved to Brussels to become Europe Editor,[5] and was appointed Northern Ireland Editor in 2001.[1]

In 1989, Tommie featured in a report on RTÉ Regional correspondents presented by Eithne Hand.[6]

Gorman also made several documentaries.[5][7] Many of these were on a Northern Ireland topic.[8]

Following the murder of Michaela McAreavey, Gorman went to Mauritius to cover the trial for RTÉ News.[citation needed]

In early 2021, it was announced that Gorman would retire in April 2021.[9] On 25 June 2024, Gorman died at the age of 68.[10]

Interviews

He risked a massive $3,000 on hiring a helicopter to trace Seamus Heaney in Athens when he won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature - the ploy worked.[11]

Gorman was known for the 2002 interview with Republic of Ireland footballer Roy Keane after he quit in the build-up to the 2002 FIFA World Cup during which Gorman begged Keane to return.[12] The interview was broadcast over a half-hour of television on 27 May 2002.[13] It was the top television programme of May 2002, beating even coverage of the country's general election which had been held ten days earlier.[14] Details of the interview were later circulated outside Ireland.[12] Afterwards Gorman said Keane was "deeply emotional".[15]

In January 2009, Gorman conducted an interview with Seán Quinn.[16] The interview was a rare appearance in the media by Quinn.[17][18] When the Quinn Group posted the interview on YouTube, “Publicity-shy tycoon jumps on YouTube bandwagon” the video attracted 28 views, including two carried out for research purposes by the Irish Independent.[17]

In December 2009, Gorman conducted a 29-minute interview with Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn Féin.[19] The interview contained references to Adams's personal life and family background, including child abuse allegations surrounding family members.[19]

Awards and honours

Gorman was awarded European of the Year in 2001 for his work on radio and television reports on EU institutions.[5] The award was presented to him in Dublin by President of Ireland Mary McAleese.[5]

Gorman was given an honorary master's degree by NUI Galway in October 2009.[4]

Earnings

In 2005 Gorman was ninth in RTÉ's top earners list, with a salary of €200,367.[20] He offered a pay freeze in February 2009.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b "RTÉ announce appointments". The Irish Times. 8 August 2001. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  2. ^ Gorman gave an interview to The Late Late Show on 1 April 2016, with reports in advance suggesting the approach of his 60th birthday. See, for example, the following: McLoughlin, Lisa (31 March 2016). "This week's Late Late Show line-up has been revealed". Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Finally veteran reporter Tommie Gorman will take to the Friday night stalwart. Preparing to celebrate his 60th birthday the broadcaster will be in studio to talk about his long and varied career. and "This week's Late Late Show line-up has been revealed". Irish Examiner. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016.
  3. ^ Tommie Gorman (16 February 2019). "The DUP have hit the Brexit jackpot". RTÉ. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b Brian McDonald (20 October 2009). "No second fiddle as college honours duo". Irish Times. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d Aoife O'Reilly (8 February 2002). "RTÉ journalist named European of the Year". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 January 2010. A native of Sligo, Mr Gorman is a past pupil of Summerhill College. Following his studies at the College of Journalism in Rathmines, Dublin...
  6. ^ https://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0219/505415-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-regional-correspondent/
  7. ^ lan Murray (23 March 2008). "RTÉ journalist silent over SF/DUP link-man claims". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  8. ^ Kevin Myers (3 July 2008). "The secret of Irish morality: do it when no-one's looking". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  9. ^ Eoghan Molony (29 January 2021). "'The beating heart of RTÉ News' – Tommie Gorman to call time on 41-year broadcasting career". Irish Independent. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Former RTÉ journalist Tommie Gorman dies aged 68". RTÉ News. 25 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Shrewd insights and opportunities grasped - Tommie Gorman was one of 'life's achievers'". RTÉ. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Keane's interview". BBC News. 27 May 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  13. ^ "Keane in exclusive RTÉ interview". RTÉ. 27 May 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  14. ^ Emmanuel Kehoe (7 October 2007). "The cruel fates of two Cork heroes". The Sunday Business Post. Archived from the original on 8 April 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  15. ^ "Keane stands firm". BBC News. 27 May 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  16. ^ "We're good at finger-pointing". Irish Independent. 8 February 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  17. ^ a b Laura Noonan (15 April 2009). "Publicity-shy tycoon jumps on YouTube bandwagon". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  18. ^ Niamh Brennan (31 January 2009). "Quinn says he did no wrong in Anglo share deal. For the moment, I am sceptical". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  19. ^ a b Mark Simpson (21 December 2009). "Rare glimpse into private side of Gerry Adams". BBC News. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  20. ^ "Kenny tops RTÉ rich list". Irish Examiner. TCH Holdings. 30 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  21. ^ Denise Clarke (23 February 2009). "I'd take further RTÉ wage cut – Miriam". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
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