Sir, – I first met Charlie Bird in Bacolod City on the island of Negros in the Philippines. He was covering the trial of Columban Missionaries Niall O’Brien and Australian Brian Gore, and Vicente Dangan, a Filipino priest. and six lay leaders, on trumped-up charges of murdering the local mayor.
They became known as the Negros Nine, who had sided with the sugar cane workers in their struggle to get better conditions. It suited some local “sugar barons” to accuse them of murder despite the fact that it was common knowledge that a rebel group, the New People’s Army, was responsible for the killing.
As Charlie wrote in the Far East magazine in 2014, on the 30th anniversary of the release of the Negros Nine, “The Marcos regime was clearly sensitive to pressure coming from the US, Australian and Irish governments. But that was not the only pressure. Tens of thousands of ordinary people wrote letters and campaigned tirelessly for their release.” He continued, “I can vividly recall sitting in that prison cell in the Philippines on St Patrick’s Day 1984 with Niall O’Brien as he sifted through thousands of cards he had received from all over Ireland, Britain and Australia.” This was due in large part to Charlie Bird for his dramatic on-the-scene coverage for RTÉ.
Thank you, Charlie, for your support of actions on behalf of justice at home and abroad.
May you rest in peace. – Yours, etc,
DONIE HOGAN,
Columban Missionaries,
Navan,
Co Meath.
Sir, – We all feel we know Charlie Bird. Whether it be through his dedication in reaching the truth of every story he reported on throughout his outstanding career, or in walking the roads or climbing the mountains of illness, literally or metaphorically with him. He was truly inspirational.
To people on difficult life journeys, he was a beacon of light in the darkest moments. His positive outlook, his courage and determination made everything seem possible. These were wonderful gifts which he willingly shared with those living with motor neurone disease (MND) and other illnesses.
My mother, Maureen Noone, was diagnosed with MND in December 2016. She quickly lost her speech and her ability to move. This is such a debilitating and isolating illness for sufferers and their families, and the work Charlie has done in raising awareness of MND is immeasurable.
I watched Charlie and Claire tell the story of his diagnosis to Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show and of his plans to “extend the hand of friendship” and raise awareness of the illness and I knew I had to contribute.
I have always enjoyed songwriting and it was an absolute privilege for me to have written the lyrics of the song Shine a Light which was recorded by Michael English and which formed part of Charlie’s fundraising campaign for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House in April 2022.
Each lyric was written from my heart. Our family walks the rocky road of MND alongside our Mum each and every day and we see in her the same unwavering spirit burning brightly that I could see in Charlie that night on the Late Late Show. Through his selflessness and courage in going public with his diagnosis, he enabled the voiceless to be heard and he has helped countless people in the process.
My Mom was so sad to learn of Charlie’s passing, as we all were, and on behalf of our family I wish to extend our deepest condolences to Claire, Orla, Neasa, to Charlie’s extended family, his many friends, colleagues and, of course, his best pal Tiger.
It was an honour to have met Charlie and Claire at the recording of Shine a Light.
Charlie’s spirit will always shine brightly in the hearts and minds of all those he inspired along the way.
May he rest in peace. – Yours, etc,
SARA NOONE,
Kilkerrin,
Co Galway.