Ireland is shocked to learn of the death of broadcaster Gerry Ryan.
He was 53. The cause of death was not disclosed. Ryan had been living alone since he separated from his wife, with whom he had five children, aged 10 to 24.
Since 1988 Ryan, a Dublin pioneer of pirate radio who had an early reputation as a "shock jock," has hosted a three-hour morning radio show on national broadcasters RTE called simply The Gerry Ryan Show. It features live phone-ins, interviews and political satire.
The 53-year-old was a hugely popular and often controversial character, widely credited with pioneering talk radio in Ireland.
The father-of-five's body was found at the property on Leeson Street earlier.
Police are investigating, though foul play is not suspected.
Ryan had presented his Gerry Ryan Show on Irish radio for two decades and was one of the most recognisable faces on Irish TV.
In 2008 Ryan separated from his wife, Morah, after 26 years of marriage. They had five children together. His family issued a statement this afternoon saying: "Gerry Ryan died today. Morah and his children are in complete shock. Please respect their privacy at this time."
Often controversial, Ryan was part of a new wave of young radio and television stars that emerged in the 1980s. As well as his popular radio programme, he presented television programmes including Ryan Confidential, Gerry Ryan Tonight, Ryantown, Gerry Ryan's Hitlist and Operation Transformation.
n addition to his radio work, the controversial broadcaster presented a host of television programmes, including Ryan Confidential, Gerry Ryan Tonight, Ryantown, Gerry Ryan's Hitlist and Operation Transformation.
He co-presented the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest from Dublin’s Point Theatre and replaced Pat Kenny for an edition of The Late Late Show in 2008. He published his autobiography - Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up - in 2008.
Gerry Ryan's untimely death will be widely mourned, by his fellow colleagues at RTÉ and his many fans, but most especially by his family and friends who are in my thoughts and prayers.
