Award-winning photojournalist Mick O'Neill laid to rest in Dublin funeral after tragic motorbike crash

The Irish Sun

6 days ago

AWARD-winning photographer Mick O'Neill has been laid to rest after he died in a motorcycle accident in Dublin earlier this month.
Photographers from across the industry formed a guard of honour today, with a camera salute at his funeral in a touching tribute to the
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Photographer Mick O'Neill has been laid to rest
Credit: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
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The popular snapper died in a motorcycle accident in Dublin
Credit: Social Media collect
The popular snapper, 62, had worked at the Irish Mirror and Irish Daily Star for over 20 years and won multiple awards during his career.
He died after his
A motorcycle helmet, press photographer awards and a photo of Mick and his beloved granddaughter Mya were brought to the altar as gifts during the funeral at the Church of St ­Finian's in Swords, Dublin.
Mya told mourners: "He wasn't only my grandad, he was my best friend.
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"We had such a strong bond.
"I love you, Grandad Mick, I miss your calls already."
Tributes were earlier paid to the popular photographer following his passing.
Star journo Michael O'Toole said: 'Mick was the snapper's snapper. There was nobody who came close to him.
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"He travelled all over Ireland and the world doing a job he loved and excelled at, one which came naturally to him.
"I have never seen any media professional as gifted as Mick at talking to people, at making them feel at ease in the most stressful of situations, at connecting with them, essentially.
'HE HAD IT ALL'
"He made the job of the reporter working with him easy. He had it all. And he was great, superb, company. God, he was amazing."
Our Showbiz Editor Ken Sweeney worked with Mick for years in The Star.
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He said: 'Mick was prepared to stay at a job for as long as it took to get the picture we needed. Hours and days if needed, Mick never gave up.'
Irish Star and Mirror Editor Neil Leslie said colleagues were 'devastated'.
'TRULY OUTSTANDING'
He added: "Mick was a truly outstanding journalist and photographer.
"Moreover, he was a great friend and a wise mentor to the other journalists who worked alongside him over many years."
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'Mick's unique contribution to our own papers and titles and wider Irish journalism was immense.'
Irish Star and Mirror journo Paul Healy said he has 'lost not just a colleague and a mentor, but a friend'.
'INCREDIBLE WAY WITH PEOPLE'
He said: 'I can't begin to describe to you the amount of scrapes we were in together over the years, and the hours we spent sitting in cars staking out criminals (and yes, at times, driving each other mad!). But that's the job.
'We worked closely with one another almost every day for the past 10 years, and in that time confided in one another and often sought each other's advice. But it was usually Mick's advice that I needed.
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'He also had an incredible way with people and even though it would be me doing the interview, he was often the one that had gotten the best lines out of someone.
"He had a keen news sense, incredible contacts and after over 30 years in the business still had an incredible appetite to work that would put even the most eager of employees to shame."
'LIVED HIS LIFE TO THE FULLEST'
Healy described Mick's love for his family, especially his two young grandchildren, and the adoration he had for his bike.
He said: "If he wasn't working, he was usually out on it, down the country enjoying himself. He never sat still.
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"He lived his life to the fullest. We will be lost without him. RIP.'
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or the moments leading up to the crash has been asked to assist gardai in their investigation.
A garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 10:30am and 11:15am this morning (July 12) are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
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"Anyone with information is asked to contact Santry Garda Station on 01 666 4000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."