It was with sadness that I learnt this week of the untimely death of Dr John Hogan, a man who had been a pillar of the Irish stockbroking and corporate finance business for the past 15 years or so.

I first came across John Hogan about 10 years ago as a cub business reporter. Then and in the following years, he was of invaluable assistance - always good-humoured, always available and always willing to help reporters provide the best possible coverage of the stories they were writing.

Many journalists on the business and finance beat have reason to be grateful for the assistance John Hogan provided them.

The enormous turnout at his removal at University Church on Wednesday evening - including many from stockbroking companies who competed directly with ABN-Amro - was evidence of the regard in which John Hogan was held. He will be sadly missed.

To his wife Aideen, and his daughter - also Aideen, we can only extend our deepest sympathies.