The death has been announced of RTÉ broadcaster Keelin Shanley following an illness. She passed away peacefully this afternoon, aged 51.

An award-winning journalist, she had most recently been anchor of the Six One News on RTÉ One.

Keelin grew up in Dublin and studied biochemistry at Trinity College, working for a while as a researcher before changing her focus to journalism.

She worked as a news reporter for Radio France International and CNN World Report.

However, she would spend the majority of her career with RTÉ, working on television programmes including Prime Time and winning many awards, including three IFTAs.

Keelin was particularly interested in social justice issues and covered a number of stories in developing countries such as Uganda and Liberia.

Over the years at RTÉ, Keelin earned the reputation of being an agile broadcaster, presenting TV programmes Crimecall and Morning Edition. She also worked on the station's flagship radio shows Morning Ireland and Late Debate.

In January 2018 she took over the reins of Six One News on RTÉ television alongside Caitriona Perry. The pair became the first female duo to anchor the show.

However, her time on the programme was brought to a premature end when she faced cancer.

A warm, tenacious and fiercely intelligent journalist, Keelin Shanley was an exceptional broadcaster and a wonderful colleague.

She will be sorely missed by many, but most of all by her husband Conor, their children Lucy and Ben, her wider family and a large circle of friends.

Read more:

Tributes to 'passionate, dedicated public service journalist'

'An exceptional broadcaster who will be sorely missed'

'Keelin was the best of us, we are poorer for her loss'

Jon Williams, Managing Director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs, paid tribute to Keelin saying "there was not a corner of RTÉ News & Current Affairs untouched by Keelin’s fearless, generous, and passionate journalism.

"For Keelin, the story was never about her - always about others. Her legacy of over 20 years journalism with RTÉ saw her help tell the stories of so many often marginalised.

"She strove to inform, probe and encourage. Always inquisitive, interested, thoughtful and kind," he added.

RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes said: "Everybody at RTÉ is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend Keelin Shanley. A passionate and dedicated public service journalist, Keelin had an expertise that challenged and probed as well as an ease that endeared her to all.

"Most recently, Keelin co-presented the Six One News, watched by huge audiences daily. Keelin was incredibly popular with all her colleagues. But our loss is nothing compared to that of her much-loved family. My sincere sympathies go to Conor, Lucy, and Ben, to Keelin's extended family, and to her wide circle of friends."