A life in the headlines: what the papers said

In a tough week for headline writers, the Daily Mail surpassed itself by emblazoning its front page with the following: “THANK YOU, GAYBO: In emotional words and heart-warming photographs, the extraordinary life of the charming, thoughtful, humble genius who helped to change the nation.” Which would probably have made Gay Byrne laugh.

The Mail, which was one of Byrne’s favourite sources for his radio programmes, devoted 15 pages to him on the day ...