RIP: Fair City actor David Heap dies following long battle with illness

Fair City actor David Heap has died aged 76 following a long battle with illness, his wife has announced.

Mr Heap, who played Donal Maher in the RTÉ soap for over a decade, was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease last year.

His wife, actress Olwen Fouéré, made the announcement on social media, describing him as “a special man and a beautiful soul”.

She posted: “Farewell to my beloved David Richard Heap, who died in my arms at home today, December 30th, 2025.”

Tributes have been paid across the entertainment industry, including by a number of Mr Heap’s former RTÉ colleagues.

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In a statement, an RTÉ spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, David Heap.

“David portrayed Donal Maher in Fair City for more than a decade and was a wonderfully talented actor.

“He relished playing the show's 'baddie’ and will be fondly remembered for some of the programme’s most memorable storylines, including his long-running affair with Nicola, his IT company Blue Dolphin, and his dramatic confrontations with Paul Brennan.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Olwen and David’s family, friends and colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Mr Heap was born in Gloucestershire, England in 1949. He studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before moving to Ireland to play Captain Lancet in the world premier of ‘Translations’ in 1980.

He worked extensively in theatre and met his wife Olwen Fouéré in the early 1980s, when they were both working on a production of ‘The Morning After Optimism’.

As well as starring in Fair City, he also played Brian Noonan in the much-loved Irish comedy series Father Ted.