A popular former Belfast television journalist who died of a short illness has been honored.
Aideen Kennedy has died a day after announcing on social media that she was returning home from a period in hospital to receive palliative care.
Aideen had been a popular newscaster on UTV for a number of years and was a regular on television in the homes of Northern Ireland.
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In his latest post on social media, he said: “So life has not gone well and I’m as sick as when I went to the hospital, so I basically went home to die but receiving palliative care. “Children know it. If you never come. Through them, mind you, they are the kindest, sweetest, most thoughtful children.”
Aideen is the fourth of four siblings to die and had previously talked about her grief at losing her sister Fiona and her brothers Dara and Rory.
Following his death, there has been an outpouring of mourning by people in Northern Ireland who are heartbroken to learn of his loss.
University of Ulster journalism professor Leona O’Neill said: “I’m very sad that the beautiful Aideen Kennedy has left us. The world is a darker place without her light. She was such a kind soul. “I love Jacob and Eva and her mother and father.”
U105 issued a brief statement in tribute to his past colleague, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with the family of our former teammate Aideen Kennedy. Aideen was a member of our news team at “May she rest in peace.”
Former UTV political editor Ken Reid said: “Tonight Aideen Kennedy’s thoughts are no longer with us. It breaks our hearts. A decent soul that suffered too much. we must be careful. God bless her. REST IN PEACE. “
Lagan Valley MP Emma Little-Pengelly said: “Absolutely devastated. My beautiful, funny and kind friend Aideen is dead. I will miss her very much. We met 22 years ago when we shared a room for her. Summer in DC and we became close friends.
“Goodbye beautiful girl.”
South Belfast councilor Seamas De Faoite said: “I was heartbroken by this tragic news this morning about such a kind soul. Mam cared for Aideen, Dara and Fiona for years when they were children. a light so bright that it had passed so far. My thoughts are with Noel, Maura, Jacob, and Eve. “
Disability advocate Dermot Devlin paid tribute, saying: “I was very sad to hear about Aideen’s death. We often had phone calls at night to talk about what was happening in the world and in our lives. “We met for the first time. Lunch in March. I didn’t know it would be the only time. RIP.”
A GoFundme page has been launched to support Aideen’s family during this tragic time.
If you would like to make a donation, please follow this link.
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