THE journalist Mark Lane, who was due to take up a new post yesterday with the Sunday Times Dublin office, has died suddenly. His death is thought to be due to an asthma attack.
Mr Lane was born in 1968 and educated at Blackrock College, Trinity College, Dublin, and Dublin City University. He achieved a first class Moderatorship in Modern English and History and an MA in journalism. After graduating in journalism he worked as a freelance news and sports reporter with Independent Newspapers.
He joined RTE in November, 1991, and became a presenter and acting editor of Radio 1's news programme, This Week, and also worked for World Report.
Mark Lane was considered one of the brightest of his generation and while RTE has lost many talented journalists in the past few years, his decision to move to the Sunday Times, where he was to write on politics, was a blow to the newsroom.
His coverage of the marching season in Northern Ireland and events at Drumcree attracted much favourable comment for his sheer professionalism.
At only 28 years of age he was considered a highly talented journalist with a bright future. He was an enthusiastic sports fan, in particular, he was passionate about Newcastle United.
He had been active in the National Union of Journalists and was treasurer of the Dublin Broadcasting Branch.
He is survived by his parents, three brothers and one sister. He was the eldest of the children.