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October 11, 2023

Iconic photographs to feature at Big Picture Festival in Kinsale this month

The stories behind iconic images of Samuel Beckett and Lady Diana Spencer by Irish photographer John Minihan will feature at new festival in Kinsale this month (Big Picture Festival of Press Photography - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd October 2023).

Organised by the Press Photographers Association of Ireland, Athy-born Minihan had a 30 year career in Fleet Street before returning to Ireland to document life around his home town.

His study of Nobel Prize winner Beckett has been described as one of the greatest photographs of the 20th century while his picture of Di was the first image captured of the fiancee of the future King of Britain.

Other featured photographers presenting at Big Picture 2023 include the Irish Independent's Mark Condren who recently won the AIB Press Photographer of the Year for a record sixth time.

He will present insights into his work ranging from stories about the work of An Garda Siochana as well as the NYPD and also his conic image of an African woman ravaged by famine and war.

Multi-award winning Clare Champion photographer John Kelly will present his portfolio and stories from decades covering the people, life and times of his region.

The three day festival comprises free and ticketed event ranging from NewsBrands Ireland engagement day for second-level students and the AIB Press Photographer of the Year exhibition to photographic walking tours of Kinsale including a session conducted as Gaeilge.

Canon Ireland will have two internationally reknown photographers presenting their work and top tips for amateur and aspiring professionals on Saturday 21st.

"We have an incredible line-up of speakers and activities for Big Picture 2023," commented Event Co-Ordinator Dan Linehan of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland. "You don't need to be a photographer to enjoy this festival - anyone who enjoys strong visual stories of the world around us will find this programme worthwhile."

As Chief Photographer of the Irish Examiner, Linehan will lead his popular show that delves into the historic picture archive of the newspaper dating back over 100 years. He will also conduct a Smartphone photo workshop with secondary school students as part of the NewsBrands Day.

Also included in the line-up with be a double-act between well-known photographers Valerie Cox and Domnick Walsh who will present "Eye On Kerry". Philip Doyle will also peesent photographic insights into Farming through thr archives of the Farmers Journal.

PPAI Honorary Member Padraíg Ó Flannabhra will lead a photographic tour of Kinsale as Gailge (also bi-lingually) and feature his new book of photographs of Ireland that is raising funds for the Irish Red Cross.

The festival will be based at various venues around the historic town including the new Kinsale Library, the Temperance Hall and Actons Hotel.

"Press photographers offer a critical service of factual truth-telling through images in an era of fakery and disinformation," said David Branigan, President of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland. "Big Picture 2023 will immerse visitors into the stories of our time told by incredibly skilled visual narrators; a visit to Kinsale is going to be a great day out."

Tickets are available through EventBrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/big-picture-2023-2710389?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

March 5, 2023

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2023 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

MARK CONDREN WINS AIB PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR RECORD SIXTH TIME

Mark Condren of the Irish Independent/Sunday Independent has won the AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2023 title at an awards ceremony in Dublin on Friday, 3rd March 2023.

An Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD attended the event at the RDS, the 45th competition organised by the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI).

Introduced by broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, the overall trophy and 10 categories reward and recognise excellence in Irish press photography.

Cork native Condren (Castletownroche) won praise from the judges for his portfolio of images of the past year’s most moving, historic and thought-provoking events across a selection of 12 outstanding photographs.

The judges commented: “The photographer did not just manage to cover the main events of the year, at home and abroad, but they brought to their assignments an unerring ability to come away with remarkable images. Their sense of news value, sense of timing, ability to choose original angles and creativity all came to the fore and they are an absolutely deserving winner of this award.”

This year’s judging panel was again led by former picture editor of The Irish Times, Frank Miller, International photographer Eddie Keogh, who has over 35 years of experience at the forefront of sports photojournalism and Dublin native Helen Healy who is Head of Pictures at the Financial Times.

Philip Bromwell and former RTÉ cameraman Michael Lee joined the judging panel for the multimedia category. The judges had the challenging task of selecting the winning and highly commended images and video from 1,600 entries entered by 100 members of the PPAI members from around Ireland.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, An Tánaiste Micheál Martin, said, “This has been another extraordinary year for Ireland, and the world, where we have seen the very best of the Irish people shine through in our response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Images are a powerful way to capture moments of pure emotion, drama, kindness and tragedy in the life of our nation. The work being celebrated today shows the incredible contribution press photographers make towards recording and bringing great insight into those moments for generations to come. Congratulations to every winner and nominee for a truly exceptional body of work.”

“From the beauty of nature to the horror of brutal war and everyday life in between, Ireland’s leading press photographers have again demonstrated the power of truthful images,” said David Branigan, President, Press Photographers Association of Ireland. “In an era of fake news, this competition highlights the invaluable role of press photography in our society.”

AIB CEO Colin Hunt, said: “AIB is honoured to return as title sponsor for the 45th annual ‘Press Photographer of the Year Awards’ as we share the PPAI’s belief that photography has a key role to play in shining a light on both the serious challenges and extraordinary opportunities facing our people, our country and our planet. It is clear from the images being showcased here that the members of the PPAI are succeeding in their mission of promoting the role of the press photographer in building Ireland’s visual historical record.’’

Awards were presented across 10 distinct categories – News, Daily Life & People, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Portrait, Nature & the Environment, Politics, Arts & Entertainment, Reportage and Multimedia in addition to the newly launched AIB Sustainability Award.

The AIB Sustainability Award was presented to Laura Hutton of The Irish Times for her stark image ‘Abandoned Hotel’ - an image which captures a hotel overtaken by foliage demonstrating the power of nature all around us.

The striking award, “True Inspiration”, carved by the artist Éibhlin Ní Chonaile of Celtic Roots Studio, is created from ancient bogwood over 500 years old.

All the winning and short-listed images from the ‘AIB Press Photographer of the Year’ 2023 can be viewed at the touring exhibition visiting various venues across the country over the coming year.

The first visit on the exhibition tour will be the Library at the RDS, Dublin, where it will be on display until 16th March 2023

February 18, 2022

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2022 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The 44th annual Press Photographers Association of Ireland awards ceremony took place in Dublin on 18th February 2022, via an online live-streamed event from AIB headquarters in Dublin, with the work of photographers from all areas of the country showcased and rewarded. There were a large number of logins to the ceremony, with most being watched by multiple viewers.

The event was opened by a video address from An Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and the various categories were introduced using video clips by well known names from the worlds of entertainment, sport, politics and media: Eve McCrystal, Robbie Henshaw, Dearbhaill McDonnell, Neven Maguire, Eamon McCabe, Panti Bliss, Haris Zambaroukis, Colin Stafford-Johnson, Pat Kenny and Gloria Hunniford. The event was concluded by an address from European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly

James Crombie of the Inpho sports picture agency was named ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ and was awarded prizes in Daily Life and People - 3rd prize, Sports Feature - 3rd prize, Nature and the Environment - 1st prize.

The judging panel was chaired by photographer and former Irish Times Picture Editor Frank Miller who was assisted by award winning sports photographer Eddie Keogh and Helen Healy, Head of Pictures for the Financial Times in London.

The multimedia award was judged by Michael Lee, now retired RTÉ cameraman and Philip Bromwell, RTÉ News video and mobile journalist. Paul Sherwood, President of The Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said; Congratulations go to James Crombie, who has deservedly retained the title of Press Photographer of the Year’ with his superb portfolio, being topped off by his iconic image of the starling murmuration. Also to the other prize winners and all those members whose images have gone to make up the exhibition which will go on tour around the country
shortly.

The PPAI also announced a new honorary member to the association, for her outstanding contribution to the PPAI and press photography in Ireland.

Dr. Marian Keyes of the dlr Lexicon was presented with the honour for her hosting of the PPAI's exhibition in the library over the course of many years and for organising the outdoor exhibition in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. Marian is due to retire from the Lexicon at the end of February.

View the Awards Catalogue

February 27, 2021

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The 43rd annual Press Photographers Association of Ireland awards ceremony took place in Dublin on 26th February 2021, via an online live-streamed event, with the work of photographers from all corners of the country showcased and rewarded. There were more than 2300 individual logins to the ceremony, with most being watched by multiple viewers.

The event, prizes and various categories were introduced in video clips by well known names from the worlds of entertainment, sport, politics and media - Minister Catherine Martin TD, Samantha Power - Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, film producer Lord David Puttnam, CNN reporter Donie O'Sullivan, former Ireland rugby player Jamie Heaslip, Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi, Glamour USA editor Samantha Barry, actors Liam Cunningham, Gabriel Byrne and Pat Shortt and Marian Keyes, Librarian from the dlr Lexicon, who kindly host the PPAI's exhibition every year.

James Crombie of the Inpho sports picture agency was named ‘Press Photographer of the Year’.

James was awarded 1st prize in Sports Action, for his photo 'Foggy Semi Final' taken during the Mayo Vs Tipperary Semi-Final of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and 2nd prize in Sports Non-Action, for 'He Is Risen', which captured a fan watching a GAA match while standing on a ladder propped against a graveyard wall.

The judging panel was chaired by photographer and former Irish Times Picture Editor Frank Miller who was assisted by internationally acclaimed photographers Edmond Terakopian and was joined by award winning Reuters sports photographer Eddie Keogh.

The multimedia award was judged by Michael Lee, now retired RTÉ cameraman and Philip Bromwell, RTÉ News video and mobile journalist.

Crispin Rodwell, President, The Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said; As one of the country's leading sports photographers James Crombie is a regular sight on rugby and GAA grounds at home and abroad, but his winning of the Press Photographer of the Year title is a testament to the breadth of his talent and his extraordinary eye, both inside and outside the sporting arena. As the first sports photographer to win the title in thirty years, this hugely popular photographer has written his name into the PPAI history books.'

The awards also featured the announcement of a new honorary member to the association, for outstanding contribution to the PPAI and to press photography in Ireland.

Kieran Clancy, a former staff photographer for the Cork Examiner, who retired in 2016, was presented with the honour.

View the awards catalogue

Due to the effects of Covid-19 The Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ Exhibition, featuring 123 images is currently available online and subject to restrictions, will hopefully visit locations around Ireland later in the year in both digital and physical form.

March 5, 2020

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2020 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The 42nd annual awards of The Press Photographers Association of Ireland took place in Dublin on 28th February 2020, at a gala awards ceremony held in Dublin, with photographers from across the island of Ireland represented. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was in attendance to present the overall award of the ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2020 award.

Independent News & Media photographer Mark Condren was named ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2020. Mark was awarded 1st prize in Politics, for his photo of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during the naming and commissioning ceremony of the L.E. George Bernard Shaw; 1st prize in Portrait, for his striking image of open water swimmer Rachel Lee and 1st prize in the Multimedia category, for a video piece on a former Mountjoy inmate who followed his dream to become a triathlete. This is Mark’s fifth time to win the award, having been named ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2016, he has also won a European policing photography award.

The judging panel was chaired by photographer Frank Miller and former picture editor, The Herald, Glasgow, Jim Connor and internationally acclaimed photographer Edmond Terakopian. The multimedia award was judged by Michael Lee, RTÉ cameraman and Philip Bromwell, RTÉ News video and mobile journalist.

Crispin Rodwell, President, The Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said; “By winning the overall Press Photographer of the Year title for a fifth time Mark Condren has etched his name into the record books. Adding this year’s multi-media award to those he has won for his still photographs demonstrates that in a changing technological landscape he was able to adapt his extraordinary eye and unique style to create a powerful and moving video. Mark’s portfolio has earned its place, along with all the other winners, in the nation’s visual history”.

The awards also featured the announcement of three new honorary members to the association, for outstanding contribution to the association and to press photography in Ireland. The newly appointed honorary members are former The Irish Times photographer Eric Luke, freelance photographer Nutan and broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan.

View the awards catalogue

The Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2020’ Exhibition, featuring 109 prints will visit locations around Ireland in the coming months.

October 3, 2019

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2019 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The overall title of Press Photographer of the Year 2019 was awarded to Tom Honan, a Dublin-based freelance, who works primarily for the Irish Times and Irish Mail on Sunday. Tom also picked up four individual category awards.

Awards were presented across nine stills categories and a prize was also given for the best multi-media entry. The categories were: News, Daily Life and People, Arts and Entertainment, Portrait, Politics, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Nature and Environment and Reportage.

The judging panel was chaired by former Irish Times picture editor Dermot O’Shea and the judges were former international photojournalists Eamonn McCabe and Jim Connor. The multi-media entries were judged by retired RTE cameraman Michael Lee and Philip Bromwell, RTE video journalist.

Commenting on Tom’s portfolio the judges said;

“With four category awards …and a comprehensive and visually imaginative range, this person displayed their ability across a wide array of subjects, essential to the art of press photography. The editing and presentation displayed the photographer’s commitment to the quality of the work, a sign of true professionalism. This collection stood out from the rest of the entries by a long way and proved the author to be a deserving winner of the overall title of PPAI Press Photographer of the Year 2019.”

Crispin Rodwell, president of the PPAI said; “Tom Honan is a very deserving winner of the highest accolade the industry here can award. In an age of fake news and doctored images, the critical importance of good photojournalism has never been greater. Ireland’s press photographers serve a crucial role in documenting the life of the country and putting in place the building blocks of our visual archive. As with other year this collection will be properly stored for the benefit of future generations. Good photography never ages, but enriches a nation’s history.”

The gala awards ceremony also saw the conferring of three honorary memberships of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland, for outstanding contribution to the association and press photography in Ireland - these went to; Liam Burke, Press 22, Tony O’Gorman, former photographer with the Irish Farmer’s Journal and freelance photographer, Ian Esptein.

The Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2019’ Exhibition, featuring 101 prints, will be available to view at the RDS, Dublin Airport and a number of other locations throughout the country. Please visit

www.ppai.ie for exhibition tour updates and to view the full collection of winning and highly commended images.

February 16, 2018

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2018 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The annual awards of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland took place in Croke Park, Dublin, this evening, with photographers from across the island of Ireland in attendance. This year marks 40 years since the founding of The Press Photographers Association of Ireland.

The overall award of ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2018 was presented to Cyril Byrne, of The Irish Times.

Awards were presented across nine categories; news, daily life & people, nature & the environment, politics, sports action, sports feature, portrait, art & entertainment and reportage, alongside a dedicated award for multimedia.

The judging panel was chaired by Dermot O’Shea and the judges were internationally renowned photographers Tom Stoddart and Eamonn McCabe. The multimedia award was judged by Michael Lee, RTÉ cameraman and Philip Bromwell, RTÉ News video and mobile journalist.

Commenting on the portfolio of the ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2018, Cyril Byrne, The Irish Times, the judges said; “This portfolio comprehensively shows the ability and imagination of the photographer over a wide range of subjects and situations. The judges felt that the photographer displayed an incredible ability over the many disciplines and facets of press photography. The many subjects dealt with in this portfolio shows the commitment to quality and presentation. A collection of images to be very proud of.”

Robbie Reynolds, President, The Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said; “ This is a historic year for our association, since it was founded 40 years ago. Our awards reward the very best of Irish press photography from our members right around the island of Ireland. Over the years, our members have seen vast changes in the field – from processing to the instant sending of digital imagery, some feats which would have seemed impossible when our association first began.”

“I would like to congratulate our colleague Cyril Byrne on being named ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2018, which is recognition of his outstanding skill as a press photographer and his vast experience in the field.”

The gala awards ceremony also saw the awarding of three honorary memberships of The Press Photographers Association of Ireland, for outstanding contribution to the association and press photography in Ireland - these went to; Henry Wills, western representative of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland and former photographer with The Western People; Pádraig Ó’Flannabhra, Tipperary-based photographer and Matt Kavanagh, former photographer with The Irish Times.

The Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2018’ Exhibition, featuring 107 prints, will be on display in The Library, at the RDS, Dublin 4, from Monday, 19th February 2018 for two weeks. It will then go on tour, visiting selected venues nationwide, please visit www.ppai.ie for exhibition tour updates and to view the full collection of winning and highly commended images.

January 12, 2018

Portrait of a Century – photographs by Kim Haughton

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins will officially launch the new exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland-Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7.

On Thursday evening 20th April 2017 at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins will officially launch a new exhibition Portrait of a Century- Photographs by Kim Haughton.

Portrait of a Century is a photographic exhibition of one hundred images of people who are threaded together through a shared language, culture and nationhood. Presented for the first time in its entirety, each photograph represents the birth year of the person in it and the series as a whole spans a one hundred year time frame from 1916 to 2015. The exhibition is a photographic representation of a nation reflected in those who have shaped it in some way.

Between 2015 and 2016, photographer Kim Haughton sought out people who had a connection to Ireland. Starting with Ken Whitaker, born in 1916 during the rumblings of rebellion to Máire Mhac an tSaoi whose birth in 1922 coincided with the creation of the new state, she trained her lens on familiar faces of people who are woven into the fabric of the Irish arts as well as sporting legends, presidents, public servants, private citizens, pioneering women, dazzling young people and the children of the future to create this visual time capsule of a nation in transition.

Portrait of a Century is based on the subject of Ireland’s centenary, and follows on from the enormously successful Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising exhibition, which opened to the public in March 2016 and is ongoing. It underlines the National Museum of Ireland’s commitment to telling the stories behind Irish men, women and children of the past century while simultaneously underlining the institution’s emphasis on the power of contemporary art and design to interpret those stories in an accessible yet moving way.

Kim Haughton is an Irish photographer based in New York. She completed her MA at London University of the Arts. In 2015 she was named as an Irish photographer to watch by TIME magazine who described her work as ‘at once sparse and textured’. She spent the early part of her career as a photo journalist covering post conflict humanitarian issues around the globe. Her work has been exhibited in London, New York, Oslo and Dublin. Her images have been included in publications worldwide, including The Financial Times, Der Spiegel and Vanity Fair. Her work is held in the National Archives of Ireland.

December 5, 2017

IRISH PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Press Photographers Association of Ireland photographers Gerry Mooney & Niall Carson at the White House, Thursday 16th of March 2017.

October 10, 2017

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2017 - DUBLIN AIRPORT EXHIBITION

January 17, 2017

WINNERS OF THE 39th ANNUAL ‘PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS’ ANNOUNCED

Dublin, 27.01.17; Press photographers from across the island of Ireland gathered this evening, as the winners of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland Press Photographer of the Year 2017 awards were announced. Independent News & Media photographer Gerry Mooney was named Press Photographer of the Year 2017. The awards were presented by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD.

This year saw the addition of two new awards to the competition, ‘Multimedia’, for best use of video, which was awarded to Bryan O’Brien, The Irish Times and ‘Best Black & White’ image, presented to Steve Humphreys, Independent News & Media. Awards were presented across nine distinct categories; news, daily life & people, nature & the environment, politics, sports action, sports feature, portrait, art & entertainment and reportage.

This year’s judges included Dermot O’Shea, former picture editor of The Irish Times, who again chaired the panel; Sophie Batterbury, Picture Editor of i + Johnston Press and Tom Lawlor, international photographer and broadcaster. The multimedia award was judged by Michael Lee, renowned RTÉ cameraman. Commenting on the portfolio of the ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017’, Gerry Mooney, the judges said; “The broad range of strong images demonstrates the photographer’s talent across the many disciplines of press photography.”

Speaking at the awards, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, said; “Every day, press photographers capture the essence of the stories behind the headlines. From tragedy to triumph, press photographers bring the events of the day to life and document the highs and lows of our national story. I would like to warmly congratulate all of the winners of this year’s awards. Having your talents recognised by your peers is the best possible endorsement.”

Michael Chester, President, Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said; “On behalf of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland I would like to congratulate our colleague Gerry Mooney on being named the ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017’. This award is testament to Gerry’s outstanding skill as a press photographer and his keen eye for detail. The PPAI is delighted to be celebrating its 39 th annual awards. Our awards are a platform to promote, showcase and reward excellence in press photography. The award -winning and highly commended images from our awards will form the ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017‘ Exhibition, which will tour selected venues across the coming year.”

The Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017’ Exhibition, featuring 124 prints, will be on display in The Ballsbridge Hotel, Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, over the weekend, until Monday, 30th January 2017. The exhibition then moves to The Library, at the RDS, Dublin 4, for two weeks. It will then go on tour, visiting selected venues nationwide, please visit www.ppai.ie for exhibition tour updates and to view the full collection of winning and highly commended images.

#PPAIAWARDS @PPAI_IRL
For further information, or images, please contact:
Mary Crotty or Aoife Sherwin
CROTTY COMMUNICATIONS Tel: (01) 661 8777, Mob: (087) 2567751 or (087) 7854484
Email : aoife@crottycomms.ie or mary@crottycomms.ie

November 15, 2016

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2017 - JUDGING TAKES PLACE IN DUBLIN

Judging of the annual Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI) ‘Press Photographer of the Year Awards 2017 took place this weekend, with almost 1,800 images submitted into this year s competition, by members of the PPAI from right around the country. This year marks the association s 39th annual awards.

Open to members of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland, the awards reward and celebrate the very best of Irish press photography. The awards run across nine categories; news, daily life & people, nature & the environment, politics, sports action, sports feature, portrait, art & entertainment and reportage, as well as the overall title of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017 . This year also saw the addition of a special award for an outstanding black and white image, as well as an award for video.

This year s judges included Dermot O Shea, former picture editor of The Irish Times, who again chaired the panel; Sophie Batterbury, Picture Editor of i + Johnston Press and Tom Lawlor, international photographer and broadcaster.

Michael Chester, President, Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said: “The Press Photographers Association of Ireland is the representative body for press photographers in Ireland and our annual awards is the pinnacle of our association s calendar. Not only do the awards recognise the outstanding talents of our members, but they also promote the craft of press photography in Ireland and mark its importance in Irish society.

The winners of the ‘Press Photographer of the Year Awards 2017 will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on 27th January 2017. The winning images will form the ‘Press Photographer of the Year Exhibition 2017, which will tour selected venues around the country throughout the year.

www.ppai.ie

#PPAIAWARDS @PPAI_IRL www.ppai.ie

-ENDS-

For further information, or images, please contact:
Mary Crotty or Aoife Sherwin
Crotty Communications Tel: (01) 661 8777, Mob: (087) 2567751
Email: aoife@crottycomms.ie

November 18, 2015

TO AIR on RTE - Monday 12th October, 9.35pm

In 2009 a young man from Tipperary, Michael Dwyer, was shot dead by a secret police unit in a dramatic hotel raid in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. In this very personal film his mother, Caroline, travels to Bolivia, Brazil, Washington and Brussels as she searches for answers and looks for an international inquiry into why her son died such a terrible death so far from home.

Accused after his death of being tied in with terrorist group activity against Bolivia and its President, Evo Morales, Michael Dwyer did not have the opportunity to answer questions or refute any of the reports subsequently written about him. His mother, Caroline, has spent much of the last six years trying to find out what happened to her son.

Since the night when Michael Dwyer, Eduardo Rozsa Flores and Arpad Magyarosi were killed and two more men were taken into custody, there were doubts that the story put into the international press was totally accurate. It had all the elements of a deadly thriller but with many loose ends and extraordinary explanations for what happened and Michael Dwyer’s role in it all.

This documentary explores what led a seemingly ordinary young man like Michael Dwyer to Bolivia and how he got caught up in something so unimaginable that it led to his violent death there at the hands of the secret police. To his mother, Caroline, it is unthinkable that he could have been guilty of all the things he was accused of in the wake of his death; she has to go and find out now for herself what happened.

View the trailer here:

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