Paying tribute to Gorman, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar described the news as “the end of an era”.
RTÉ has confirmed that Northern Editor for RTÉ News, Tommie Gorman, will retire in April after 41 years with the station.
RTÉ announced on Friday that Vincent Kearney will replace Gorman in the role, with Kearney himself having decades of experience with regional and national newspapers and BBC Northern Ireland prior to his move to RTÉ in January 2019.
Gorman has been one of the most prominent faces of RTÉ News in recent decades, earning acclaim and admiration for his journalism on the island of Ireland and beyond.
It was also Gorman, of course, who interviewed Roy Keane following his departure from the Republic of Ireland training camp on the eve of the 2002 World Cup, easily one of the most famous and iconic interviews on Irish television since the turn of the millennium.
Paying tribute to Gorman, Managing Director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs Jon Williams said: “For 41 years, from Brussels to Belfast, via Sligo and Saipan, Tommie Gorman has been the beating heart of RTÉ News.
“He has earned the trust of audiences, north and south – and of all sides in Northern Ireland, telling their story, sharing his insights, and championing RTE’s role as an all-island news organisation.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was amongst those to pay tribute to Gorman on Friday, praising him for his “ground-breaking, insightful analysis of Northern Irish politics”.
Tommie, we’ll miss you. It’s the end of an era, of award-winning reporting on EU affairs, and ground-breaking, insightful analysis of Northern Irish politics. The hand of history was on your shoulder. Enjoy your retirement. You deserve every second of it. Congrats @vincekearney https://t.co/MWKaZQwEDw
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 29, 2021
Commenting on the appointment of Vincent Kearney as Northern Editor, meanwhile, Williams added: “Few know and understand Northern Ireland better than Vincent Kearney.
“A gifted storyteller, three decades of reporting Northern Ireland have given Vincent insights and authority in a place where trust and credibility matter more than most.
“From the aftermath of Brexit, to the continuing Covid crisis, RTÉ has a unique role as an all-island broadcaster. No-one is better placed to continue the work of Tommie Gorman, and David Davin Power and Jim Dougal before him, than Vincent Kearney.”
Vincent Kearney added: “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to take on a role that is without doubt one of the best jobs in journalism on the island of Ireland.
“Tommie Gorman will leave behind an amazing legacy, and huge shoes to fill. I am delighted to be the person to be given the opportunity to fill them.
“RTÉ has a reputation for authoritative and comprehensive coverage of Northern Ireland affairs and I relish the challenge of continuing that tradition.”
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