The death has taken place in County Waterford of author and former RTÉ broadcaster Colm Keane, from cancer. He was aged 70. The author of 29 books, he wrote extensively on the near-death experience as well as biographies of St. Brigid, St. Padre Pio and St.Thérèse of Lisieux.
In a 26-year career with RTÉ, he produced and presented documentaries on a wide range of subjects including pop music, sport, politics, crime and Irish history. His interviewees included Cat Stevens, Burt Bacharach and George Best. He co-presented RTÉ Radio 1’s first drive-time show with President Mary McAleese and produced the Pat Kenny Show during Italia ’90.
He became a full-time author in 2003, writing eight No.1 Irish bestsellers including Going Home, We’ll Meet Again and Heading for the Light. His bestsellers also included three books on the Italian saint Padre Pio: Padre Pio – The Irish Connection, Padre Pio – The Scent of Roses and Padre Pio – Irish Encounters with the Saint.
He was married to former RTÉ newscaster Una O’Hagan. He is predeceased by his son Sean who died in 2007.
