ITN journalist John Irvine has led tributes to a former UTV news editor who oversaw much of the station’s coverage during the Troubles.
Colm McWilliams from Holywood, Co Down, died in hospital at the weekend after a short illness.
He joined UTV after completing a journalism course in Belfast and after a spell as a reporter he became UTV’s news editor in 1980.
Former UTV political editor Ken Reid said Mr McWilliams was a “lovely man”, while former reporter Jeanie Johnson said he was “”a great news editor and friend”.
She recalled early morning calls from Mr McWilliams would begin with a cheery: “Hello honky tonk can you just head down to the border?”
ITN cameraman Mark Davey, who won awards for his coverage of the 2021 invasion of the US Capitol building in Washington DC, said he owed a lot to Mr McWilliams for his early guidance and encouragement.
John Irvine, who began his television career in Havelock House before joining ITN, said: “Colm was a fantastic news editor.”
Ex-reporter Jane Loughrey said: “Colm was a brilliant news editor. He always knew instinctively when a story was going to develop into something bigger.”
Former UTV Live presenter Kate Smith said: “Colm was respected and loved by all. A great leader.”
After departing the news desk in UTV, Mr McWilliams produced the station’s Crime Call series presented by Keith Burnside.
Mr McWilliams’s funeral service will be held at 2.40pm on Wednesday, January 3 at Roselawn Crematorium.