Irish Timesphotographer David Sleator has won a major award for his picture of the parents of murdered Co Armagh man Paul Quinn. Sleator won 1st place in the people category at the AIB Photojournalism Awards for 2007, which was held in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dublin last night.
The judge's citation said that Sleator "has produced an extremely powerful image, showing an enormous amount of feeling, from a situation that could be quite static. It is beautifully lit".
The Press Photographer of the Year award went to Niall Carson of the Press Association of Irelandwho the judges said showed a "versatility yet consistency of style which formed a distinctive signature style".
The top price in the news category went to Colin Keegan of Collins Photo Agency for his photograph of the daughter of fire fighter Brian Murray. He died in a factory fire in Bray. The picture was taken as his coffin was removed from the church.
The top prize in sports features went to Denis Minihane of the Irish Examiner. It focuses on Darragh McGarry, the son of Kilkenny goalkeeper James McGarry whose wife was killed in a car crash last year. The picture was taken as Kilkenny captain Henry Shefflin was about to be presented with the Liam McCarthy Cup after last year's All-Ireland final.
The awards exhibition opens next Wednesday at the Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin, before travelling the country.