FORMER RTÉ journalist Jim Fahy, known as the "voice of the west", has died following a short illness.

Mr Fahy (75) was the broadcaster's western editor and longest serving regional correspondent, giving 38 years before he retired in 2011.

President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to the Galway native, describing him as "one of Ireland's finest broadcasters, a fact attested to by the over 40 national and international awards which he won over the course of his outstanding career".

He added: "It will be as RTÉ's voice of the west of Ireland that Jim will be most fondly remembered."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "very sad to hear of the passing" of Mr Fahy. Mr Martin said his "distinct voice and eye for a story uncovered every facet of life in the west of Ireland, as well as major international events like 9/11".

Tributes were also paid by Tuam Archbishop, Francis Duffy, who said Mr Fahy was the "doyen of Irish reporters".

"The breadth and depth of Jim's exemplary reporting encompassed significant stories on church, state and civic society locally, nationally and internationally. Jim was a consummate professional, a gentleman in the literal sense of the word, whose work was always fair," he said.