Paul Conroy
Alan Conroy paid tribute to his brother, Paul, who passed away yesterday morning(Image: Dave J Hogan / Contributor)
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The brother of Liverpool-born journalist Paul Conroy has paid tribute after his death. Paul, 61, who grew up in Anfield, died in the early hours of yesterday morning (February 28) following a heart attack, his brother said. He is survived by his wife Kate Conroy and three children Max, Kim and Otto.
The photojournalist and filmmaker put himself at the heart of some of the most dangerous war zones in the world, including the Balkans, the Middle East, Libya, and most recently Ukraine during the conflict with Russia.
Paul is renowned for his partnership with the late journalist Marie Colvin and he documented their time behind enemy lines in Syria in an acclaimed memoir Under The Wire, which was released in 2018. The book was made into an Emmy nominated documentary and their journey inspired the film, A Private War, when Paul was played by Jamie Dornan.
Although Paul will forever be renowned for his searing work reporting on conflicts, his brother Alan Conroy paid tribute to the family man as he reflected on how he will be remembered. The 66-year-old told the ECHO: "If we needed him, we got him. I lost my first wife 36 years ago and he was living in Canada and when he found out she died, he was home 18 hours later.
"Just got on a plane and came home. That's what you remember. He'd do stuff that you didn't expect, but if you needed anything he was there.
Paul Conroy
Paul Conroy
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He is best known for his time reporting on war zones all over the world(Image: Liverpool Echo)
"I think he'll be remembered for his family and that he did his bit. It's funny, he was in the army for six years trying to get out and then when he left, he went to all the war zones. I still don't get that. I think he'll be proud to say, 'I've done my bit, my conscience is clear. I actually did something about it.'
"I think that's what he'd be proud of. People listened to him. He made an impression. And yeah, he'd be proud to say 'I've done my bit, over to you.'"
While his brother made a name for himself thanks to his fearless approach when reporting on war, Alan looked back to his younger years spent growing-up in Anfield with Paul.
He said: "The road's not there anymore now, the new Main Stand car park is where we used to live on the back of Anfield, Lothair Road. There was me, then our Paul five years younger, Neil seven years younger, and my sister 10 years younger. We just grew up having possibly one of the happiest childhoods ever.
Paul Conroy
Paul Conroy
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Paul is survived by his wife and three children(Image: Dave J Hogan / Contributor)
"Money was tight, Mum and Dad both worked more than one job most of the time, but we had a cracking childhood. I think he took a knock when our Neil died, my other brother died about 14 years ago, they were so close, two years apart but so close to each other. My mum used to describe Paul as a little swine and hell, which is about right."
He added: "I think we've been through it before when we lost my other brother a few years ago. It's like we're on automatic at the moment, like everyone's just shocked. It's a bit raw, but we're getting through it. It'll take a bit of time, but you just have to deal with it. That's all we can do."
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