She had been battling a terminal illness.
Tributes have been pouring in for UTV presenter Aideen Kennedy, who has sadly passed away aged 43 from a terminal illness.
It comes after Aideen shared the news she was receiving palliative care on Twitter on Friday.
She asked all who knew her to keep an eye out for her children, Jacob and Eva – “the kindest, sweetest most thoughtful kiddies”.
She posted a photo of the kids along with a picture of a card they made for her, which read: “To Mummy, I hope you get well soon. I love you loads.”
So life has not gone well and I am as sick as I was as when I went in to hospital so essentially going home to die but getting palliative care. The kids know. If you ever come across them, will you an eye out for them, they are the kindest, sweetest most thoughtful kiddies. pic.twitter.com/NX2r6ILMzd
— Aideen Kennedy (@Aideen_Reporter) June 17, 2022
In a statement, a spokesperson for UTV said the channel was “deeply saddened” to hear of her passing.
“A truly gifted reporter,” they said. “She spent many years at UTV bringing viewers stories from all over Northern Ireland. We wish to extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family at this very sad time.”
UP MLA Emma Little Pengelly said: “Our time here on earth is done. I grieve for that. No more pain, or illness for you now. No more sorrow or trauma.
“The most beautiful, kind soul that life gave me the privilege of knowing. Our walks and talks, craic and fun. I hope we will meet again.”
Our time here on earth is done. I grieve for that 💔 No more pain, or illness for you now. No more sorrow or trauma. The most beautiful, kind soul that life gave me the privilege of knowing. Our walks and talks, craic and fun. I hope we will meet again.
Goodbye my friend ❤️💔 pic.twitter.com/4VxpNQheEf
— Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) June 18, 2022
Belfast Telegraph political editor Suzanne Breen said saying the presenter “lit up every room she was in”.
Meanwhile, Alliance councillor Sian Mulholland posted: “My heart absolutely breaks for Aideen’s parents, who have now had to say goodbye to their four children. Life can be so exceptionally cruel.”
Aideen is survived by her parents, Noel and Maura, and her two children.
Her brother Dara died aged 35 with a brain tumour in 2016, while her sister Fiona passed away aged 44 in the same year with cancer.
Her her older brother Rory was killed in a road accident not long after his fourth birthday.
