Pierre Zakrzewski: Payments to Irish journalist killed after Russian vehicle was hit outside Kyiv

Mr O’Dea said Pierre Zakrzewski will always be remembered as a “legend”.

“Legendary, it’s him. We would talk about everyone from the classroom or whatever and then you would say ‘Pierre’ and everyone would pause and go to ‘Pierre’ and it was like another level,” he told. RTÉ’s Nine O’clock.

In a statement, Mr Zakrzewski’s alma mater said it learned of his death with “great sadness”, adding that Mr Zakrzewski was in the class of 1984.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” the school said.

Zakrzewski’s parents were of Polish and French descent but moved to Dublin, where they raised six children.

Fox News said he has been reporting from Ukraine since February.

A Ukrainian journalist, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, died in the same incident while American broadcaster Benjamin Hall was seriously injured.

An adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko blamed Russian shelling for the deaths of two journalists.

President Michael D Higgins this evening expressed his sympathies to Mr. Zakrzewski’s family.

“President Higgins extended his deepest sympathies to the family of Pierre Zakrzewski, an Irish journalist killed while covering the shelling outside Kyiv,” a statement said.

“The indiscriminate killing of civilians, including journalists, must be stopped.

“President Higgins expresses his sympathies to the International Federation of Journalists for the loss of a colleague.”

Speaking in Washington, Taoiseach Michael Martin described himself as “deeply worried and saddened” by the murder.

“My thoughts are with their family, friends and fellow journalists. We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war by Russia against Ukraine,” Mr. Martin said.

“It was basically a horrifying attack on the press and we owe it to the press world for illuminating Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine,” he later told RTÉ.

“Some very brave journalists around the world are in Ukraine to show us and illustrate what is happening and unfortunately an Irish citizen, Pierre Zakrzewski, lost his life in pursuit of a service. very noble for humanity,” he said.

“We commend his courage in doing what he has done so many times before and his colleagues, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family in Ireland and we want them to know that we are in complete solidarity with them at this very dark time for them as a family in their personal loss. ”

“It more broadly reflects the humanitarian outrage caused by the leadership of Vladimir Putin towards the Ukrainian people; bombarding cities, on civilians in a deliberate and premeditated war is a war crime and there is no question about that”.

In a statement, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said: “We are deeply saddened and saddened to share the news this morning regarding our beloved cinematographer Pierre Zakrzewski. Pierre was killed in Horenka, a suburb of Kyiv, Ukraine.

“Pierre was with Benjamin Hall gathering information when their car caught on fire,

“Pierre is a war zone photographer who has covered nearly every international story for Fox News from Iraq, Afghanistan to Syria during his long career with us.

“His passion and talent for journalism is second to none. Based in London, Pierre has been working in Ukraine since February.

“His talent is fast and there’s no role he wouldn’t go in to help in the field – from photographer to engineer, editor to producer – and he’s done it. all under tremendous pressure with terrible skill.

“He was deeply committed to talking about the shop and his bravery, professionalism and work ethic were well known among reporters in all media. He is extremely popular – everyone in the media who has covered a foreign story knows and respects Pierre.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife Michelle and family – please keep them all in your prayers.

“And please continue to pray for Benjamin Hall, who is still hospitalized in Ukraine. We will continue to be in touch with any updates as needed.”

Foreign Secretary Simon Coveney said he was “deeply saddened” by Mr Zakrzewski’s killing and that officials from his ministry were “in contact with his family and providing consular assistance”.

“The killing of all citizens in this reckless war is deplorable, and I also strongly condemn the targeting of journalists who worked so bravely to shed light on the circumstances,” Mr. Coveney said. of Ukraine since the outbreak of hostilities,” Coveney said.

“Ireland once again calls on Russia to end this war and we stand ready to support any initiative that can bring about peace. We will continue to demand accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.”

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, said on Monday that Mr. Hall was in a serious condition.

He said they could have been “fired by mortars or artillery” from Russian troops as they were advancing towards the city of Irpin, 12 miles northwest of Kyiv.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova confirmed that a Western journalist is being cared for by Ukrainian doctors.

The 39-year-old is listed as a US State Department correspondent by Fox News.

The State Department Correspondents’ Association released a statement, saying it was “appalled” to learn that Mr. Hall had been injured.

“We know Ben for his warmth, humour, and professionalism. we Wishing Ben a speedy recovery,” said association president Shaun Tandon.

Mr. Hall joined Fox News in 2015 and has contributed to its coverage of foreign affairs, including from the front lines of several wars.

A dual US-British citizen, he completed both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in London.

Another American journalist, Brent Renaud, was shot dead Sunday in Irpin. Two other journalists were injured.