IRELAND – Bagatelle frontman Liam Reilly has died aged 65. Mr Reilly, who was from Dundalk, Co Louth wrote the band’s best-known song Summer in Dublin, which was released in 1980.
Liam was a finalist in the 1988 Irish National final of Eurovision with the song “Lifeline”, finishing second. Reilly came back to the National Final in 1990, which he won.
He then went onto represent Ireland at the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Somewhere in Europe”, ranked second.
Reilly returned to Eurovision the following year as a composer, where his song “Could It Be That I’m In Love”, performed by Kim Jackson, placed tenth.
Mr Reilly’s family confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday.
“With sad hearts, the family of Liam Reilly, musician, songwriter and frontman of Bagatelle, wish to confirm that he passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home on January 1st. We know that his many friends and countless fans around the world will share in our grief as we mourn his loss, but celebrate the extraordinary talent of the man whose songs meant so much to so many. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.”
Mr Reilly formed Bagatelle alongside Wally McConville in 1978 with Ken Doyle and John O’Brien also joining the group.
Some of their other well-known songs include Leeson Street Lady and Second Violin.
