Charlie Bird’s wife, Claire Mould, has opened up about her husband breaking “one last story” in new documentary, Ransom ’79.
The Irish journalist died peacefully with his family by his side following a long battle with motor neurone disease in March, aged 74.
Claire, who was an executive producer on the film, reflected on the “brave man” and said he “didn’t let his terminal illness stop him from getting to the heart of a great story.”
The film explores Charlie investigating “an extraordinary true crime story, one that had remained secret for decades – the attempt by a criminal gang to extort millions from the Irish government,” – as it follows follow him “breaking one last story” before he passed away.
The documentary is also described as “an exploration of how one man confronting his own mortality can find respite in doing the thing he loves, even in the most terrible of circumstances.”
The couple got tied the knot in 2016 and as the journalists illness began to take over his body, Claire became his carer during the tough battle.
Speaking to The Irish Times, she said: “When we started filming Ransom ‘79 we were bangsmack right in the middle of MND.”
“Charlie was a year-and-a-half into what would be a three-year illness.”
She continued: “But he never gave up on life; he was not one to sit around and feel sorry for himself even though he feared what was physically happening to him.”
Just before he passed, Charlie spoke of Ransom ’79 and said to the publication: “The story just dropped on to my lap.”
“I had been working on a few podcasts, and I came up with the idea of maybe chatting to a couple of retired senior Gardaí.”
“This happened before the pandemic. I phoned my colleague Tom McCaughren, who had been RTÉ’s security correspondent for many years.”
He continued: “I asked if him if he had any suggestions of retired senior guards who might have interesting stories. And he suggested a number of guards, including Willie McGee.”
“I didn’t know much about Willie, who had been head of the fraud squad, but I reached out to him. Someone who was working with me on the podcasts made the initial contact for me.”
“And he came back and told me that Willie told him about an attempt back in 1979, to extract five million pounds from the State over a threat to spread foot and mouth around the country.”
The film’s director Colm Quinn told RTÉ: “I first discussed the Ransom ’79 story with Charlie before his MND diagnosis. That he still wanted to pursue it while facing such a terrible illness is a testament to his courage and determination.”
“It was a privilege to travel around the country with him as he uncovered a truly unique story with his friend Colin Murphy.”
“I know Charlie would be proud that his work has made it to the big screen, we miss him every day and feel very grateful to have helped him tell one last story,” he added.
Charlie is survived by his wife Claire, daughters Orla and Nessa, grandchildren Abigail, Charlie, Edward, Harriet and Hugo, and his three brothers.
The former RTÉ correspondent was first diagnosed with MND in 2021, after noticing issues with his speech.
Despite his ill health, Charlie was an active campaigner for a number of charities.
In April 2022, thousands of people climbed peaks around Ireland and abroad in solidarity with the former broadcaster as he made a personal pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick as part of his Climb with Charlie campaign.
The campaign raised €3.4 million for a number of charities, including the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
Charlie was a well-known fixture on Irish TV screens, and covered a host of key news stories during his longstanding career.
In particular, the journalist won praise for his coverage of the 1981 Stardust fire, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2010
Ransom ’79 will be released in cinemas on May 24th.
Watch the full trailer for the documentary below:
