Tributes are being paid to Irish journalist Pierre Zakrzewski who has been killed while reporting on the war in Ukraine.
The Fox News cameraman was working with correspondent Benjamin Hall when their vehicle was hit by incoming fire near Kyiv, according to a statement read out on air by the broadcaster.
Mr Hall is being treated in hospital in Ukraine.
In a tweet this afternoon, the Taoiseach paid tribute to Mr Zakrzewski and confirmed he was an Irish citizen.
“Deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing of Irish citizen and journalist Pierre Zakrzewski and one of his colleagues today,” he wrote.
“My thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow journalists. We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war by Russia on Ukraine.”
Deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing of Irish citizen and journalist Pierre Zakrzewski and one of his colleagues today.
My thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow journalists.
We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war by Russia on #Ukraine.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 15, 2022
Mr Zakrzewski's father was Polish and escaped to Ireland as a refugee during World War II.
His mother, who is French, worked at the French embassy in Dublin.
He had five siblings, two of whom still live in Ireland.
Mr Zakrzewski attended St Conleth's College in Dublin, and went on to study Arts in UCD.
In a Twitter post this evening, St Conleth's acknowledged his passing with “great sadness”.
It is great sadness that St. Conleth's College acknolwledegs the tragic passing of Past Pupil Pierre Zakrzewski (Class of 1984) in the Ukraine. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. (Pierre stands in the back row of his graduating class, third from right.) pic.twitter.com/z1VNPzjhco
— Stconleths (@Saintconleths) March 15, 2022
“It is with great sadness that St Conleth's College acknowledges the tragic passing of Past Pupil Pierre Zakrzewski (Class of 1984) in the Ukraine,” it said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Remembered by his classmates as 'the nicest person' and 'fearless', he reported from such places as Angola, The Congo, Iran and Iraq.
“He was such a great soul”, one former classmate told Newstalk.
President Michael D Higgins offered his deepest sympathies to Mr Zakrzewski’s family and said the "indiscriminate killing of civilians, including journalists, must be brought to an end".
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 15, 2022
Mr Zakrzewski had been working as a journalist at Fox News for many years – covering the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
Fox News President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace said Mr Zakrzewski was a “constant in all of our international coverage”.
“I, like countless others, always felt an extra sense of reassurance when arriving on the scene and seeing him with camera in hand. The legacy of his positive spirit, boundless energy and eye for the story will carry on.”
Such a fine man. Such a good friend. Such a fantastic war photographer and so much more. RIP Pierre Zakrzewski. pic.twitter.com/Q6KJKCuayI
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) March 15, 2022
The broadcaster’s CEO Susanne Scott offered her deepest condolences to Pierre's wife Michelle and family.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski," she said.
“Pierre was killed in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine. Pierre was a war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for Fox News, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria, during his long tenure with us.
“His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs is offering consular assistance to Mr Zakrzewski's family.
Additional reporting from Jack Quann
Main image shows Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski who has been killed while covering the war in Ukraine. Image: Jennifer Griffin/Twitter
