Irish man killed in US by suspected drunk driver named as father from Donegal
The 35-year-old had moved to America more than a decade ago from his native Killygordon in Co Donegal.
He was struck by a car in the early hours of Sunday while walking home from a night out with friends near Huntington Beach in California.
A 21 year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Damien O'Brien had two sons with his his wife Michelle, who is expecting their third child soon.
Advertisement
He was a well-known and much-loved member of the Irish community in the area and was a member of the Wild Geese GAA Club.
He worked as Vice President of Operations with TM Grady Builders.
The company has launched a
Go Fund Me
page which has received a huge response from the local community.
Organiser TM Grady said Damien was known for his 'dedication, warmth, wisdom, and professionalism.'
He said: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of our Vice President of Operations, Damien O'Brien, in a tragic accident on Sunday July 6th.
'Damien was an extraordinary man, a leader, and a beloved member of our TM Grady Builder family, known for his dedication, warmth, wisdom, and professionalism.
'His contributions to our projects and his genuine care for our clients left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
27 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Intelligence service assisting local detectives in establishing motive for garda stabbing
Garda security services are assisting local detectives in trying to establish why a young man attacked two uniform gardaí and stabbed one of them in broad daylight in Dublin city centre. The development comes as the top garda in Dublin has sought a meeting with Coimisiún na Meán to discuss the circulation on social media of disinformation about the attack — including false allegations that an immigrant carried it out. The 23-year-old man arrested is an Irish citizen, of Pakistani heritage, with an address in Co Laois and possibly another in west Dublin. It is thought he shouted something at two uniform gardaí as he brandished a knife and launched an unprovoked attack, cutting one of the members, at least twice. Investigators believe he deliberately targeted the uniform gardaí. 'He selected gardaí to attack, not just anyone and the gardaí were clearly uniformed gardaí — so we need to establish the motivation,' one source said. Because of the factors in the case, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS) has been brought in to support investigators in establishing the motive. The GNCSIS is analysing evidence from the man's digital devices and social media posts as well as any information gleaned from family, friends, religious contacts and associates. Read More Dublin garda stabbing sparked wave of online disinformation, says senior officer


Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Boxing Club bans fighter for life following shocking incident that was caught on camera
A video clip of two women engaged in a broad daylight fight in Tipperary has been widely shared on social media Tipperary Boxing Club has handed down a lifetime ban to one of their longest serving boxers following a shocking incident that was caught on camera. A video clip of two women engaged in a broad daylight fight in the town has been widely shared on social media. The camera phone footage shows both females fighting on path at the Martin Yard carpark The cameraman can be heard goading one of the ladies as she dominates the other. The sickening footage has since been shared on X, WhatsApp and TikTok. In a post on Facebook, club Secretary, Mary Maguire, says that it cannot be stressed enough that the club "never has and never will condone or tolerate such behaviour from any member, no matter how long they have been with us". According to Tipperary Live, the post goes on to say: "We as a club and our head coach Chris in particular are devastated and angered by what has happened and he is liaising with the family of the affected young lady and the relevant authorities to assist in any way he can.' The lengthy statement also condemns angry posts directed at the Club coach Chris Toomey. "We also understand that people in general are also angry, but the level of abuse that has been directed at Chris (Toomey) personally on here, and other social media platforms, by people who've never even met him, is totally unacceptable and unwarranted. 'He has dedicated the last 13 years into helping hundreds of young people to stay on the right path and has trained countless County, Munster and Irish champions over that time, and the people who do know him and know what he has done for this town should support him and let some positive comments be seen as well as all the hate.' The post goes on to reference the important work being done by the club with the other young people. "We have 50/60 other young boys/girls in the club whom we have to look after and try and explain to them what has happened, and that is our priority now. 'I know some people are also asking why this statement wasn't out sooner, but we were asked not to post anything until all parties involved were spoken to, and the club committee could meet to make a decision. "There will be no more statements or replies to comments from the club as the investigation is ongoing" the statement adds.


Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sisters raped by priest brother call for witnesses to be paid for full trial
Two sisters who were raped by their brother are calling for witnesses in crime trials to have the same entitlements as jury members. Earlier this month, Richard Brennan - a former priest - was handed down an eight-year sentence for six counts of rape and 18 indecent assaults from 1978 to 1985. Brave victims Paula Fay and Catherine Wrightstone said this is "not long enough" and have called for a number of reforms in the judicial system. Speaking to Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1, Paula said: "I informed my employer that I was going to be a witness in a trial (and) the trial would take approximately three weeks. When I sought leave from my job I was informed all I was entitled to was annual leave or unpaid leave, that there was nothing in law to protect me as a witness." Witnesses are entitled to be paid by their employer on days they are on the stand, which would typically be a day or two. However, Paula said she was "completely committed to the process" from the beginning and felt the need to be there for the full trial. She continued: "Jury members are entitled to be paid by their employers. I feel that something needs to change, that witnesses are also doing their civic duty." The sisters, whose other brother Bernard had been jailed earlier this year for four and half years for 11 counts of indecent assault, would also like to see legislative changes when it comes to historic sexual abuse cases. Catherine said while she was treated well while taking the stand at the Central Criminal Court and believes the judge did all he could when it came to sentencing, the law has failed them. She said: "I think Irish courts seem to have broad discretion over such cases as ours and lenient sentences, especially in historical sexual abuse cases are sometimes justified on the basis of remorse and time elapsed. "One of the things I find disturbing is the offender's recent good character provided by family and friends, who only know what that person allows them to know. In terms of reform I would love to see an introduction of mandatory binding sentencing guidelines that treat sexual abuse and rape as serious offences regardless of the time elapsed and create a statutory offence under sexual assault for sibling sexual abuse." The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Richard, 64, pleaded guilty during his trial to raping and indecently assaulting Paula when she was between 15 and 17 years old. He also pleaded guilty to raping and indecently assaulting Catherine when she was between nine and 13 years old and indecently assaulting a third sister, Yvonne Crist, when she was 20. The former priest changed his plea deal after all three sisters had given evidence and Paula and Yvonne were cross-examined. Catherine continued: "I think they need to disallow mitigation based solely on family support and the lack of other convictions because these predatory urges don't just magically disappear, especially when there is no intervention and decades of denial of abuse are present, which was up until the end with Richard. "They also need to clarify in legislation that delayed disclosure due to trauma and family pressure are not grounds for leniency because the seriousness of the offences does not diminish with time so the law should reflect the continuing harm." Get all the big crime and court stories direct to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here.