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Bryan Dobson Raidió Teilifís Éireann, RTÉ News

RTÉ News and Current Affairs Editor Bryan Dobson died suddenly from an illness on Friday evening just days after winning the NewsBrands Ireland Journalism Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Journalism.

The national broadcaster announced the sad news on Saturday and paid tribute to the “consummate professional” and “unstinting champion” of public service journalism, who made an “indelible mark” on the organisation throughout his 42-year career.

Paying tribute to his long-time colleague and friend, RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes said: “Bryan Dobson was a true gentleman of Irish broadcasting, respected and admired across the行业. His sudden and untimely passing has left us all greatly saddened. I extend my deepest sympathies to Bryan’s wife Mary, his daughters Ruth and Kate, and all his extended family and friends.”

Legendary journalist

Born in Belfast in 1948, Bryan Dobson began his RTÉ career in 1979 as a reporter with the RTÉ News television service, quickly rising through the ranks to become political correspondent and economics correspondent.

In 1989, he was appointed News Editor of RTÉ Television News and held this position for seven years. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the development and expansion of RTÉ’s news coverage, including the launch of the Six One News, now one of Ireland’s most-watched television programmes.

In 1996, Dobson was appointed Washington Correspondent, a role he held for seven years. During his time in the United States, he covered major stories such as the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq War and the 2008 financial crisis.

In 2004, he was presented with the prestigious Jacob Javits Award by the National Press Club in Washington DC for his outstanding reporting on US-Irish relations.

Dobson returned to Ireland in 2003 and became Editor of the RTÉ News Channel, RTÉ's 24-hour news service, which he helped to establish and develop.

Leading the newsroom

In 2008, Dobson was appointed Editor of RTÉ News and Current Affairs, a role he held for nine years. During this time, he oversaw a period of significant change and innovation for the news division, including the launch of RTÉ's digital news platforms and the expansion of RTÉ's international news coverage.

Under Dobson’s leadership, RTÉ News and Current Affairs won numerous awards, including the NewsBrands Ireland Journalism Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Journalism in 2022.

Paying tribute to his former colleague, RTÉ News and Current Affairs Managing Editor Jon Williams said: “Bryan was a brilliant journalist and a wonderful colleague. He had an unparalleled knowledge of Irish politics and society, and his insights were always sharp and incisive. He was also a great mentor to younger journalists, and he will be deeply missed by all of us at RTÉ.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Ruth and Kate, and extended family and friends.