Northern Editor President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to journalist Mike Burns, a former RTÉ London Editor who has died in Dublin at the age of 84. President Higgins said the news of Mr Burns' death "will have been received with sadness not only by his colleagues but by his many friends in Ireland and abroad. "The tributes by so many of his colleagues to his geniality and the ease with which he engaged both with people and with complex issues is an appropriate one, and one that is shared by all those who knew him. "In so many ways, as a journalist Mike Burns was in touch with all aspects of the Irish diaspora. This was demonstrated by his coverage of the Kennedy funerals and later in his work in London where he showed a deep respect for people of different views.