By Karen Creed - RTE News - 22.10.2024 - [IRELAND] - [Michael Reade] Presenter Michael Reade, whose death was announced yesterday, described in a pre-recorded interview how he was sexually abused as a child.
In the interview aired this morning on LMFM radio station, the 58-year-old said he was sexually assaulted and raped as a child from the age of seven.
He described the impact it had on him and that he was speaking about it on the radio to help other people who are listening.
"It is not just about an assault. It goes way past this, as time goes on. It is something that cuts you up, it chews you up and spits you out and scars your soul."
He said he kept the abuse a secret for 27 years.
"I started speaking about it a long time ago and describe it as 'my demons but that I have come to terms with my demons'."
He referred to other victims of abuse and the lack of support they have received and said he was speaking out about his experience to help others.
Mr Reade's journalism work over the years included coverage in relation to the area of child sexual abuse.
Last month, Mr Reade revealed that he had received a terminal cancer diagnosis in a message that was also broadcast on LMFM.
Mr Reade presented his current affairs show on LMFM for 21 years and earlier this month he won gold at the IMRO Radio Awards for best current affairs programme on local radio.
He first started in the industry 43 years ago at the age of 15.
In his message to listeners last month, Mr Reade approached his terminal cancer diagnosis candidly with bravery and courage.
"I am not well. I am actually very sick. I have cancer and I am afraid to say that my diagnosis is terminal. It is an illness in other words that I will not be able to recover from.
"I am not afraid. I am not devastated. I wish it wasn't so, but it is, and this is not open to negotiation. It is not an argument I can win. In fact, there just isn't any argument to be had," he said.
"Living through, experiencing, what I believe is just a great people story, as all of my family and friends rally about me. Everyone is parking their sadness and doing what I have asked them to do.
"That is to know I am okay with this and that I just want to surround myself now in love and positive vibrations.
"So, there is no sadness around me. All of us are trying to be strong. Trying to be positive and trying to help each other through this - best we can," Mr Reade said.
He is survived by his wife Sandra, his son Luke, brothers, sister and extended family.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
https://www.lmfm.ie/on-air/the-michael-reade-show/ Listen to the show here.
Dignity4Patients Commentary:- Heartfelt sympathy regarding #MichaelReade’s death and the revelation of his personal experience of child #SexualAbuse. His honest, frank, and open platform at @LMFM gave many victims of sexual abuse in the Northeast a voice when so many others tried to silence them. For this @Dignity4Patients and the victims we represent are truly grateful. We were deeply moved by his posthumous recording, and hope that his family and friends have some solace in today’s remembrance from 11.00 at the TLT in Drogheda. How brave of him to donate his body to science. Still contributing to life in death!