RTÉ's Joe Duffy kicks off final Liveline show as callers include Taoiseach Micheal Martin

Irish Independent

5 hours ago

There was an audience present in RTÉ Studio 1 for his final show, including past callers and former colleagues.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin called in to thank Duffy for giving the public a voice, spoke about their friendship and his kindness after the death of his daughter.
'Thank you sincerely, you are and were the voice of the people. You gave the people a platform,' he said.
Meanwhile, Duffy has played down rumours that he will launch a presidential bid.
He will host the show, which he has fronted since 1998, for the final time this afternoon.
Despite speculation that the veteran broadcaster would be well-placed to enter the race to succeed President Michael D Higgins later this year, Duffy said he has not been asked to run.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the Liveline host said: "Ah no, I could see the Áras from Claddagh Green [in Ballyfermot], I'd say that's the closest I'll ever get to it.'
Asked whether he has been approached about mounting a presidential bid, he said: 'Ah no, I haven't. No, I haven't.
"And even if… I'm still a part of RTÉ until Monday, effectively, and if I say…if I had... Anyway, no, I will not lose the run of myself. I will not lose the run of myself.
"There's some great, great names that have been mentioned so far.'
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Tánaiste Simon Harris is among those paying tribute to the presenter ahead of his last show today today, describing it as 'the end of an era'.
In a letter to the veteran broadcaster, he said: 'I know today is a day of mixed emotions for you and your family as it marks the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.
'I know I can speak for many of us when I say you will be sorely missed.'
He said Duffy has served as 'a friend, a therapist, an advocate, and a voice for many people across the country every lunchtime' and hopes he knows the impact his work has had.
The broadcaster reflected on some of the major issues covered on the show while he was at the helm, including how it contributed to the closure of "head shops' in 2010.
"The head shop campaign was the only time – out of all the things we've done over the years thanks to the listeners – that I was physically threatened,' he said.
Earlier this morning speaking to Morning Ireland, Duffy said he was threatened twice – once in an underground car park and another on the street when he was 'spat at'.
He said it was an issue he was 'very passionate about' and while he couldn't go to the protests, he "painted every single placard" for an event held in Clontarf.
"It's the voices on Liveline. The less I talk the better, I find. It's the voices of the callers and it's a privilege.'
He said his career in RTÉ started 'almost accidentally' as he was working as a probation officer with the hopes of becoming a producer when he became a reporter for Gay Byrne's programme.
Duffy said he received a number of letters in the early days of being on air for his Ballyfermot accent, but that Byrne was 'such a supporter'.
"He was very private. And we bounced off each other. He used to give out to me when he retired, he used to text me on Liveline, giving out to me.'
He added that Byrne was 'so intense' on the idea that it was the public that 'pay our wages'.
Byrne told him: "People trust us, keep it that way. Stop on the street if people want to chat to you, what's the big deal? Just stop, enjoy."
'And I do – I do like meeting people and I do like being on the Luas and talking to people, and being on the 130 and talking to people,' Duffy added.
Duffy said he made a habit of sending cards to those who called in to the show to thank them, describing it as 'a joy'.
During yesterday's show, listeners were calling to say goodbye to him and wish him a good retirement, while the presenter teased today's programme and described it as "special".
"I know nothing about it. I will be here, and I hope you will join us," he said.
Speaking during the show in May, when he announced he would retire at the end of June, he said: "After 37 wonderful years here in RTÉ, and 27 years presenting Liveline, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust: the trust of our listeners.
"People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories – sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories.
"I never took that for granted, not for a single minute. RTÉ has been a great place to work. Public service has always been at its heart. And now, after many happy years, I've decided the time has come to move on.
"I would like to thank you the listener for tuning in each and every day. It has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories.'
Born in January 1956, in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, and raised in Ballyfermot, Duffy originally pursued social work at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
He became one of the first from his area to go to TCD and was actively involved in student politics and went on to serve as President of the Union of Students in Ireland.
He led protests on campus, highlighting access to education, and spent two weeks in Mountjoy Prison as a result.
After working in the probation service, he joined RTÉ as a radio producer in 1989 and made his name on The Gay Byrne Show.
He presented programmes like Soundbyte before taking over Liveline in 1998.
In his 27 years in the Liveline hot seat, both Duffy and the programme itself have become national institutions, with the programme frequently attracting 400,000 listeners.
RTÉ Radio One's flagship phone-in show will now welcome a new host, with Katie Hannon tipped to take over from Duffy, who she has regularly filled in for in recent years.
The speculations increased after it was announced on Tuesday that the Upfront with Katie Hannon TV show will not return in September, possibly paving the way for her to take over the Liveline gig.
It is understood that a stand-in presenter will host the show on Monday, with the permanent successor being announced over the summer.