The death has taken place of Tommy Murphy from Ballina – presenter of Midwest Radio’s Rolling Back the Years programme.

Tommy passed away yesterday evening.

He was a very popular broadcaster here on Midwest Radio since the start and presented Rolling Back the Years each Monday night.

He was an accomplished and talented musician and broadcaster.

Tommy was born in England but reared in Enniscrone. At the tender age of 14, having just left National School, he played with the Jimmy Honeyman Band. After emigrating to England at 16, he worked in an office but on his return home, Tommy eventually became a drummer with the legendary Jack Ruane Band and more recently with the Riverboat Jazz band in PJ Duffy’s in Ballina.

When pirate radio started up in the 1980’s Tommy worked for period with Alternative Radio West, based in Ballina. Later there were spells with Castle Radio based at Belleek Castle, Westward Radio and Twin County Radio which served part of Sligo.

When Midwest Radio became licensed in 1989, Tommy was chosen to present his own programme - the Tommy Murphy Show - every Sunday morning.

Tommy was an avid music fan and held a large collection of records, CD’s and tapes in his home.

Tommy also had regular slots on a number of US radio stations and recorded his own show for the internet.

He also spent time in Quincy in Illinois and St Patrick’s Missouri in the US, as Tommy was the Honorary Lifetime Mayor of St Patrick’s.

Tommy is predeceased by his wife Beenie and is survived by his children Barry, Paula, Brenda and Peter.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.