David Heap, an English-born Ireland-based actor known for his roles in Fair City and Botched, died on December 30, 2025.
Born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, he initially worked for Procter & Gamble before studying acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He moved to Ireland after playing Captain Lancey in the world premiere of Brian Friel’s Translations in 1980.
Heap went on to appear in Gate Theatre productions including Salomé, The Importance of being Earnest and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. His best-known television role was Donal Maher in Fair City, which he played from 1996 to 2004, and he also appeared as Brian Noonan in Father Ted.
David Richard Heap (21 May 1949 – 30 December 2025) was an English-born Ireland-based actor.