THE DEATH has taken place of the television and print journalist Pat Sweeney. He was 73.
A Co Kilkenny native, Mr Sweeney worked as a reporter with local newspapers in counties Kilkenny and Kerry and with the Irish Independentbut he is best known for his time with RTÉ.
He began working with the broadcaster in the mid-1960s and contributed to its coverage of affairs in Northern Ireland at the beginning of the Troubles before moving into the field of industrial relations, which he covered for the majority of his career.
He served as RTÉ industrial correspondent and industrial editor in the 1970s and 1980s, a time of unrest, strikes and numerous disputes in Irish industry.
He left RTÉ in the early 1990s and worked as communications officer for the employers’ group Ibec.
Former colleagues paid tribute to Mr Sweeney’s ability to provide precise reports which brought the story home to viewers and often gave the sides involved in the dispute something to contemplate.
Turlough O’Sullivan, former Ibec director general, said Mr Sweeney was “extremely wise, balanced and discreet in his conduct with those from both sides of the industrial affairs fence”.
National Union of Journalists Irish secretary Séamus Dooley said Mr Sweeney would be remembered as being unfailingly helpful to colleagues and for his sense of humour and love of music.
“Pat Sweeney was a pioneer in the coverage of industrial relations and was widely liked for the flair and crisp style of reporting,” Mr Dooley said. “He managed to simplify industrial relations and maintain very good relationships on both sides at all times, even when there was huge industrial conflict.”
Mr Sweeney is survived by his daughter Marie, sons Shane and Conor, sister Mary, brothers Jim and Ned, and three grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Monica and his son Dermot.
