A BELFAST cameraman and a Co Kerry journalist have won widespread praise for their coverage of the chaos that erupted after Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington.
Mark Davey, who trained to become a camera operative in his home city, and reporter Donie O’Sullivan, who studied and worked in Belfast, were both on the scene as the events unfolded on Wednesday night.
In the midst of the madness, Mr Davey - an ITN cameraman - accompanied journalist Robert Moore as they followed Trump supporters into the Capitol building.
Mr O'Sullivan, a CNN reporter, shared live updates from outside the Capitol building, calmly relaying news back to the studio. At one point he reported he had heard a protester say "next time we’re coming back with rifles".
CNN’s @Donie O’Sullivan directly connects Facebook and Twitter to conspiracy theories fueling the insurrection at the Capitol today. “Here’s the harm." pic.twitter.com/N00ntn41R5
— Colby Hall (@colbyhall) January 6, 2021
Mr O’Sullivan has been with CNN for almost five years and previously worked for Storyful in New York and Dublin.
He studied for a masters degree in political science and government at Queen’s University Belfast and worked as a former researcher for Stormont’s Enterprise, Trade and Investment committee.
His reporting saw 'Donie' trending on Twitter, with social media users praising him for his coverage.
Screenwriter Declan Lawn wrote on Twitter: "All the other CNN correspondents can’t believe this stuff and are freaking out but Donie O’Sullivan is strolling around like he’s seen far worse coming out of a Carlow nightclub".
CNN correspondent John King described Mr O'Sullivan as "awesome", while comedian Dara Ó Briain said: "CNN just introduced a reporter called Donie O’Sullivan and fair dues, he sounds exactly like you’d hope".
Mr O'Sullivan later took to Twitter to say he was "overwhelmed by all the love from Ireland".
Mr Davey's camera work also won high praise on social media, with many referring to how he had begun his career covering riots in Belfast.
Former ITN journalist Andrea Catherwood wrote on Twitter: "Mark Davey is the cameraman who captured these extraordinary images. One of the best and most experienced in the business as you can see. Oh and he’s from Belfast."
BBC journalist Conor Macauley also wrote: "For anyone wondering about the ITN cameraman with the calm presence to gather this amazing footage.
"Belfast man Mark Davey knows his way around a riot, having covered them extensively during his years in the city."
ITN presenter Tom Bradby also praised Mr Davey, who he said had "learnt how to handle a riot back in Belfast in the old days".
