The mother of an Irish journalist killed while working as a cameraman in Ukraine has paid tribute to her son's dedication and bravery.

Pierre Zakrzewski died outside the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Monday alongside his colleague Oleksandra Kuvshynova after a Russian attack.

Another journalist, Benjamin Hall, was also seriously injured. All three had been working for Fox News.

The 55-year-old and his 24-year-old colleague were killed after artillery shelling broke out in the north-eastern part of the village of Gorenka.

Pierre was an accomplished warzone journalist, covering other areas of conflict such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

His mother, Marie-Ange, said she heard the devastating news at lunchtime on Tuesday after Pierre's partner Michelle called her.

Marie-Ange spoke of her son's ability and determination to bring the world's attention to the effects of war on innocent people.

She said: "It was really his life. It was his choice. He was extremely good at it. I was always worried, what else can you do? He escaped so many, so many problems and so many things that we thought once more he will get away," reports the Irish Examiner.

Marie-Ange moved to Ireland the year Pierre was born, 55 years ago.

She said Pierre was proud to be Irish and didn't like people to think he was anything but as he had lived in Dublin his entire life.

Marie-Ange said despite his French mother and his Polish father, he was 100 per cent Irish.

She said: "With his moustache, he used to go up to people, wherever, in Israel, saying 'I am Irish. I am Pierre Zakrzewski, so let me through’. And he would always get through.

"He was Pierre Zakrzewski, he was pure Irish. He was Irish, and he didn't like being doubted.

"So, when people say 'oh, come on, Irish?', he would say 'I am Irish, would you mind? I was born and bred in Dublin, so I am Irish'."

The school Pierre attended throughout his childhood also paid tribute to the journalist.

It said: "It is with great sadness that St Conleth's College acknowledges the tragic passing of past pupil Pierre Zakrzewski (Class of 1984) in Ukraine.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

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