Former BBC presenter announces sudden death of dog on Donegal beach

Former BBC broadcaster, Wendy Austin, says she’s been inundated with support after announcing her dog died suddenly on a Donegal beach.

Ms Austin took to social media to explain her pet Mollie had been on Killahoey Beach swimming when the tragedy happened.

Sharing a snap of Mollie in the water near Dunfanaghy, Ms Austin tweeted: “On a sad personal note, 5 minutes after this pic our beautiful loving kind and altogether awesome 6 year old flatcoat Mollie died doing a favourite thing swimming on Killahoey beach.

“Thanks to all the kind people who helped her and us in our distress xx She was a truly noble dog.”

In a later post she added that it was “all so shocking” and said Mollie was a “lovely dog”.

The tragic news about the dog led to a raft of supportive messages for the former Good Morning Ulster presenter and MBE.

Ms Austin was one of the best-known faces and voices on BBC Northern Ireland, working on Good Morning Ulster, Talkback and Inside Business.

In 2012 she was awarded the MBE for her contribution to broadcasting.

In 2020 she marked her last day at the BBC and was described as one of their “most distinguished, most admired colleagues”.