THERE was shock all over the country last Friday afternoon as word spread that radio personality Gerry Ryan had been found dead at his Dublin home.
While thousands felt like they knew the 2FM star, Shannon woman Valerie Sweeney was particularly saddened as she had worked with him for more than 10 years, reporting a couple of times a week for his morning show.
When she spoke to The Clare Champion this week, she said she had been struck by the reaction to Ryan’s untimely death. “I was at the gym this morning and I met people who said they never stopped crying on Friday afternoon. People couldn’t believe it, there were tributes everywhere. It was a bit like when Princess Di died. I went to London to report on that and it was something I’ll never forget.”
On a personal level, Valerie was still coming to terms with his death. “I just can’t believe he’s dead,” she said.
She worked on the Gerry Ryan show throughout the 1990s and said he had a great ability to empathise with his audience. “I used to report on various things and if it was something sad he’d be able to go with it immediately, he’d know it was serious straight off. One of the most significant bits I did was about baby Aaron Roberts. He was released from hospital but was just going home to die.
“There was a huge response and he got to go to Great Ormond Street in London for treatment. I had daily reports about how that was going and eventually he was discharged. There were people all over the country praying for him. On his fourth birthday he came on the show and I remember Gerry nearly cried after Aaron said ‘hello Gerry’, because he had been so sick.”
She said that he also loved the lighter side of his radio show and he had a very warm personality.
“People used to ask me what he was like and for the first six months I didn’t meet him, so I was dying to know what he was like myself! He was very, very nice and he was the same off air as he was on air, he wouldn’t have to act. He always brought himself to the listeners and to the story in a very good way.”
Dromoland Castle was a favoured spot by the RTÉ star when he took time off and he struck up a friendship with general manager Mark Nolan.
“I got to know the family very well and you couldn’t meet nicer people. Gerry would have been very private when he came here. No one would have bothered him and he loved spending the time with his family.
“He used to come on an annual trip between Christmas and the New Year. We became very friendly, some of my children would be the same age as his and they’d come out to the house. He’ll be missed greatly.”
Mark said he was stunned to hear of his sudden death. “I was taken aback, he was so larger than life and to think that he is just suddenly gone is unimaginable.
“He’ll be sorely missed by the whole country. He was very close to his family and I’d hope they’ll recover quickly.”