Ryan Tubridy has paid tribute to a young woman who died of bowel cancer - saying that she was a "beautiful soul".
Heather Skinner passed away on Thursday evening at St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, having been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer last year.
Her death has rocked the local community in Malahide - as well as RTE presenter Ryan.
Ryan was informed of the sad news on Thursday evening, taking to Instagram to write: "She was funny, smart, warm and thoughtful. Life isn't always fair."
Heather had appeared on his morning radio show earlier this summer to talk about her battle with the terminal illness.
He followed that up on-air on his RTÉ Radio show on Friday morning, pausing to talk to his listeners for a couple of moments about Heather.
He said: "You might remember Heather, she was a very very bright personable soul who was talking about bowel cancer. I met Heather on the Climb for Charlie up Croagh Patrick in springtime.
"She stopped me and she said 'I need to talk to you, I need to get on your show because I need to get the word out there about this illness and make people feel less alone and more informed' She came and she was a very bright moment in our lives.
"I was taken aback when someone got in touch with me to say Heather had passed away yesterday. Too young and all wrong, I just want to pass my condolences on to Heather's family and friends.
"A lot of her friends got in touch with me to say they were gathering to remember that beautiful soul. May she rest in peace,"
Heather is survived by her parents Roy and Deirdre, sisters Gillian, Hazel and Audrey and brother Roy.
Her funeral details are as follows:
Reposing at her home on Sunday (Oct. 9th) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Removal on Monday (Oct. 10th) to Church of the Sacred Heart, Seabury, Malahide arriving for 11.30 a.m. Mass followed by funeral to Glasnevin Crematorium.
READ NEXT :
Irish pubs might have to sell warm beer and no pints if blackouts hit country
Irish Lotto winner seven years after €6.3m win - 'homebird' hounded by some
Dad-of-seven stabbed to death at funeral issued video pleading for no violence
Don McLean recalls meeting with Gay Byrne on Late Late Show and odd observation
Doireann Garrihy announced as new host of Dancing with the Stars
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
