The journalist and broadcaster Jonathan Philbin Bowman has been found dead at his home in Harold's Cross, Dublin. His body was discovered at 4.30 p.m. yesterday. Gardai said a preliminary examination at the scene by the Assistant State Pathologist had given no indication as to the cause of his death. His body was removed for a post-mortem.
Garda sources believe he may have died in an accidental fall down the stairs at his home. Mr Bowman (31), had one child, Saul (11), who lived with him.
Last night's edition of Questions and Answers, which is presented by his father, John Bowman, was cancelled. News of his death brought tributes from politicians and journalists.
The editor of the Sunday Independent, Mr Aengus Fanning, described him as "one of the most brilliant journalists of his generation."
"He was a concerned and compassionate man, who cared deeply about injustice, whether in Ireland or any other part of the world," he said.
"He will be a great loss both to the Sunday Independent and to journalism." A spokesman for the Taoiseach said Mr Ahern was very saddened by the news and his thoughts and prayers were with the family.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, described his death as "a terrible tragedy".
"His infectious good humour and iconoclastic attitude to life conveyed itself to all with whom he came into contact," Mr Bruton said.
The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said Jonathan Philbin Bowman was "without doubt one of the bright lights of Irish journalism. Jonathan burst onto the public stage at a very young age, and his passing is even more poignant as he was in the prime of his life."
Jonathan Philbin Bowman is the eldest of four children of John Bowman and Dr Eimear Philbin-Bowman, a psychiatrist. He is survived by his sister Emma and brothers Abie and Daniel.
Mr Philbin Bowman was a colourful figure who appeared several times on the Late, Late Show in the 1980s. Wearing a dickiebow and long curly hair, he told audiences it was not necessary for young people to go to school to get a job. The 16-year-old immediately became a household name. His forthright views and quick-fire delivery meant he regularly appeared on current affairs programmes.
He left school early and spoke on many occasions about the benefits of this decision. "I don't think school or college qualifications are necessary for you to be a good person or to do what you want," he said in 1987.
After gaining attention on the Late, Late Show, he worked for many newspapers and magazines, including the Evening Herald and Magill and for a time and the Dublin radio station, FM 104. Most recently he worked at the Sunday Independent, where he wrote a weekly satirical diary.
In recent years he presented the quiz programme Dodge the Question on RTE television, and shortly before he died he recorded several radio segments for the early morning slot, The Living Word, which have not yet been broadcast.