THE CAMERAMAN behind some of the most famous and haunting footage of the Northern Irish 'Troubles' has passed away at the age of 91.
County Down native Cyril Cave worked as a journalist for BBC throughout some of the most bloody years of the conflict between nationalists and unionists, and was highly respected for his work, winning a number of awards for his service.
Mr Cave was the man who captured one of the most infamous pieces of footage of the entire conflict: an injured man being carried through the streets after being shot by British soldiers during Bloody Sunday, while Fr Edward Daly waved a bloody handkerchief as a white flag.
Footage by Cyril Cave of the late Catholic Bishop of Derry Edward Daly waving a bloodied handkerchief became the iconic symbol of Bloody SundaySpeaking to the BBC, the Northern Ireland editor for BBC News at the time of the troubles, Robin Walsh, said that Mr Cave was "brilliant, marvellous and courageous".
"Cyril took absolutely no delight in covering what he had to cover," Mr Walsh told the outlet, "however, he captured images of bombings, of gun battles and riots that actually brought into the homes of Northern Ireland the horror that was unfolding.
"That was a great, great service that he provided."
Sad to hear that Cyril Cave, the award winning cameraman who filmed the famous footage of then Father Edward Daly on Bloody Sunday, has died aged 91. My condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/NIC5O2X54D
— Dan Stanton (@DanStantonrep) February 25, 2020
Former Sky News Ireland Correspondent Maxine Mawhinney took to Twitter to pay tribute to Mr Cave, saying she was "sad to hear of the death of legendary cameraman Cyril", and said he was "unique in his skills, knowledge and the craic".
Sad to hear of the death of legendary cameraman Cyril Cave. This is Cyril along with soundman Steve Ward. He was my cameraman when I was Ireland Correspondent for @SkyNews 1989-90. He was unique in his skills, knowledge and the craic. RIP Cyril. pic.twitter.com/BDCUajjAz9
— maxine mawhinney (@maxinemawhinney) February 25, 2020
Political correspondent for The Irish Examiner, Aoife-Grace Moore, said "the people of Derry owe Cyril Cave an enormous debt of gratitude.
The people of Derry owe Cyril Cave an enormous debt of gratitude. Without the press there to witness Bloody Sunday, I dread to think how much worse the subsequent cover up and tarring of victims would have been. https://t.co/tiK2BxnojP
— aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) February 26, 2020
"Without the press there to witness Bloody Sunday, I dread to think how much worse the subsequent cover up and tarring of victims would have been".
Mr Cave died in his hometown of Castlewellan, County Down on Tuesday, 25 February.
