Popular 'Tele' Photographer Mourned

A photojournalist who documented some of the worst days of Nl's Troubles has died.

The former Belfast Telegraph photographer Mervyn Dowling passed away in hospital on Sunday morning following a short illness at the age of 67.

He was a past Chairman of the Northern Ireland Press Photographers' Association and a well-known face in the local media.

Before joining the Belfast Telegraph for a career of more than 25 years where he was an integral part of the photographic team and a popular member of staff, Mervyn (pictured here by Ric Hewitt) learned his trade at the Ulster Star, in Lisburn.

Belfast Telegraph Picture Editor Gerry Fitzgerald said: "Mervyn was an outstanding people photographer, who could always get the best out of everyone he photographed.

"He worked here during the Troubles and won awards for his news photography but also for features and sport," he said, in a tribute published in the Belfast Telegraph on Monday.

Mervyn Dowling saw some of the worst of NI as, during the infamous mob lynching of two Army corporals, he and other photographers who were covering the earlier republican funeral fled the scene in fear of their lives as the mob turned their attentions on the media.

That experience didn't deter the professional and he was bravely to return to cover all area of NI soon afterwards - in spite of the real dangers.

Mervyn's brother-in-law established one of NI's pioneering PR companies, with Mervyn covering many events in his role as photographer of choice for the late Derek Murray's company, Derek Murray Communications.

A former colleague in that early PR business - which has since metamorphosed into today's Weber Shanwick - said he was a gentleman: "Mervyn would have done anyone a good turn, and was a pleasure to work with.

"He also went about his work with the utmost professionalism - even with the most demanding of clients - and applied this same patience and understanding when photographing people for the Belfast Telegraph - handling the most delicate of tragedies with the same sympathy.

"I also recall accompanying him on a PR day trip to Venice on Valentine's Day, 2000, and despite it being an exceptionally 'long haul' event - which took almost 24-hours - he still kept everyone entertained with his banter," said Brian McCalden.

"His passing is a huge loss to NI and to the work of Press photography in particular."

Ric Hewitt, a long-term friend and colleague said: "I worked with 'Dowlers' in the Belfast Telegraph Photographic Department for over 20 years where he was a great character, gentleman and a delight to be out on a lake with.

"In over two decades of fishing together there was many a laugh but never a cross word and I shall remember Mervyn always - especially when casting to a rising trout or sinking a pint of the black stuff at the end of the day," he said, concluding: "Peaceful days by still waters and tight lines, big Merv."

Mervyn is survived by his wife Renee, three daughters and five grandchildren.

(BMcC/GK)