Eurovision winning songwriter Shay Healy has died at the age of 78.
The Dubliner composed 'What's Another Year' for Johnny Logan, which won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980.
He was also a well-known broadcaster, hosting the RTÉ show Nighthawks in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The talk show covered current affairs and entertainment, and Mr Healy's interview with the former Minister for Justice Sean Doherty about phone tapping eventually led to the resignation of then-Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
Shay Healy subsequently went on to found his own production company.
In 2004, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease but continued working.
He is survived by his two sons. His wife, Dymphna, passed away in 2017.
Tributes are being paid to Shay Healy after the news of his death was announced today.
Irish songwriter & broadcaster Shay Healy has passed away. This picture shows Shay & Johnny Logan retuning to @DublinAirport after winning @Eurovision in 1980 with Shay’s song What’s Another Year. May he Rest In Peace. #RIPShay pic.twitter.com/hRgMR4qmFP
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) April 10, 2021
Writer and radio presenter Gareth O'Callaghan said he was "saddened" to hear about Mr Healy's death this morning.
"He was so kind to take part in that great night at Vicar Street. Despite the pain of Parkinson's, how it was devouring him physically, his smile always reminded me of his beautiful heart," he said.
Actor Simon Delaney said he was "heartbroken", adding that Mr Healy was "a joy to work with, a genius, a legend, and a true gent".
Comedian PJ Gallagher said the presenter gave him his first ever TV job years ago, and that he was "an absolute gent", "years ahead of his time in every way and a musical mastermind".
Main image: Eurovision songwriter, Shay Healy, outside the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, ahead of the opening of his new musical, 'The Wireman', in 2005. Credit: RollingNews.ie
