Northern Ireland

Irish News photographers scoop accolades at industry awards

Irish News photographer Hugh Russell won first place in the sports action category for this image
Irish News photographer Hugh Russell won first place in the sports action category for this image Irish News photographer Hugh Russell won first place in the sports action category for this image

IRISH News photographers have scooped several accolades at the Northern Ireland Press Photographer of the Year Awards.

Hugh Russell was runner-up in the photographer of the year section and also won prizes in three other categories.

He was placed first in the sport action category, second in the individual study section and third in business/PR for his shots of a new giraffe at Belfast Zoo.

The winning photos included striking images of a terminally ill Billy McConville, son of IRA murder victim Jean, who called on Stormont politicians to act urgently to prioritise the needs of abuse victims.

Mal McCann was the overall winner of the pictures story category for his selection of photos from the funeral of Violet Crumlish, a mother-of-13 dubbed the 'Queen of the Travellers'.

Mal also won second and third place in the features section, for photos taken at the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle and images previewing the clash between Antrim and Down GAA rivals Ballygalget and Loughgiel.

Cliff Donaldson was meanwhile runner-up in the provincial photographer of the year section and in the business/PR category, for his image of a blacksmith's apprentice.