Charlie Bird Retires from RTÉ After a Career Spanning Almost Four Decades

Charlie Bird quit RTÉ last night after nearly forty years with the national broadcaster.

The journalist confirmed that he would be retiring after weeks of speculation.

Charlie is currently filling in on Marian Finucane’s weekend show and will make his last broadcast for RTÉ tomorrow.

According to The Irish Times, Charlie said: “I’ve been in RTÉ a long time. I have finally made up my mind.

“It took me a while. I feel it is time for me to move on,” he said.

However, Bird made it clear that while he is quitting RTÉ, he will not be quitting journalism.

“I am only 63. I haven’t even thought what I am going to do next.

“At the moment I have no idea. That’s for the future.

Charlie has been working with RTÉ for almost forty years

“I want new challenges and I think I have that in me.”

The journalist denied that he is leaving to avoid further cuts to his salary and in turn his pension.

He said he is not getting “a huge amount” of money because he is choosing to retire early.

Bird said that he had no regrets following his work in RTÉ and said he has loved every minute of his career.

The national broadcaster is expected to cut up to 250 jobs in the upcoming weeks and staff have been introduced to the possibility of a further 4% cut to their pay in an effort to save €25 million.

RTÉ bosses have not confirmed how many people are set to leave the station.