The bashing of politicians and other public personalities is a much-loved practice of journalists almost everywhere. Early last year The Daily Telegraph multiplied its circulation by revealing the greed of British MPs who exploited the gravy train they created for themselves to compensate them for the real and perceived financial costs relating to their public role.

But, there is another side of public life that occasionally grabs the headlines with a greater impact than any scandal-spiced story ever does. As a keen observer of the political and cultural scene in Ireland, I followed the sad fate of two Irish public figures who during the last two years were hit by tragedies in their personal lives.

The way the media treated these public figures in their moment of tragedy, as well as the way these public figures confronted their mortality, is a valuable lesson in the complexity of human behaviour.

Nuala O' Faolain was a successful Irish author. In early 2008 she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In an emotionally charged interview on the Irish national television station RTE, she gave graphical clinical details of how her cancer had spread from her lungs to her brains and liver. She turned down the option of chemotherapy that could have prolonged her life by a few months.

The way Nuala confronted her mortality in public, gripped the attention of a whole nation. Although she was raised as a Catholic, she later became an agnostic. With unusual candour she stunned a predominantly Catholic nation when she stated: "Though I respect the art that arises from the love of God and though nearly everybody I love and respect themselves believe in God, faith is meaningless to me, really meaningless."

Rather than being scandalised by this frank admission at the point of death, Irish people generally empathised with the way their much-loved author confronted her mortality. The media that is so often judgmental in their treatment of public figures, this time kept a reverential silence as Nuala eventually died from her illness.

A similar tragedy is now hitting Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. During the past year, he was savaged by the media and opposition politicians for introducing a series of tough measures to correct the horrendous public finances that are threatening the economic stability of Ireland.

He missed the last day of the budget debate in the Irish Parliament and the vote on the legislation he was piloting through the House to cut the pay of public servants, one of the key elements of the budget he delivered. He later continued with his official public duties while refusing to discuss the tragic drama that was developing in his personal life.

Mr Lenihan had, in fact, just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While he informed the Prime Minister about his condition and his future plans, he initially refused to discuss his failing health in public. But then, he came out fighting with a 12- word statement that won him admiration from the media and the public alike: "It's a growth I intend to defeat - or it will defeat me".

Fellow politicians rightly complained about the invasion of privacy of this relatively young politician and his family. Labour deputy leader Joan Burton, who is a constituency colleague of the Minister, said: "I believe that the media has committed an appalling invasion of privacy and the coverage has been inappropriate, particularly at Christmas time."

Public figures just like everyone else have to confront their mortality at some stage in life. For some, this moment of truth comes earlier than for others. It is understandably one of the most difficult moments we have to go through in life, however, much "experience" we may have. Those who are close to people confronting their mortality often feel a sense of helplessness and failure because they cannot really do much to help.

This other side of public life, which occasionally takes precedence on the more visible side, should inspire journalists and public commentators to have greater respect for those who, out of choice or compulsion, are under the public spotlights to give a service to the community.

A dose of humanity in the face of personal tragedy is the best treatment that the media can offer to those who serve society in a very public way.

jcassarwhite@yahoo.com