Tributes paid after shock death of father-of-three following incident in Armagh
His death following what the PSNI are describing as 'an incident' has sent shockwaves throughout the local close-knit community
The Louth man who died after sustaining serious injuries in an incident in south Armagh in the early hours of Saturday May 31 has been named as James O'Connor, late of 2 Euston Street, Greenore and formerly of Rampark, Jenkinstown, Dundalk.
The 42 year-old builder was a member of a very well-known and highly respected family from the Cooley peninsula passed away on Wednesday June 4.
His heartbroken family said it was 'with great sadness' that they announced his 'tragic and unexpected death.'
He was predeceased by his father Jim in 2017 and his survived by partner Laura, his children James, Millie, and Lucy, his mother Phil, siblings Evanna, Ellen, and Tommy, aunts, uncles, and a large circle of relatives and friends.
The late James O'Connor
News in 90 Seconds - 6th June 2025
The notice on RIP.ie appealed to people to waiting until it was updated with details of the funeral arrangements and to 'respect the family's privacy in the interim.'
His death following what the PSNI are describing as 'an incident' has sent shockwaves throughout the close knit community on the Cooley peninsula and beyond, as well as the many who knew him through his work or his involvement with Dealgan Boxing Club in his younger days.
Shocked friends, neighbours, work mates and acquaintances have been paying tribute to him, remembering him as a friendly gentleman who could 'light up a room with his smile' and always made time for others.
"James was always up for the craic and a good laugh, often at his own expense,' one mourner remembered. 'Such a lovely fella with that cheeky smile and something funny always ready to go. Even if you hadn't seen him in years, he was always friendly like no time had passed. He'll be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.'
"Absolutely heartbreaking to hear of your passing James, you are a true gentlemen and always had a chat and smile. Your death is a devastating blow to the community. Thinking of your family at this sad time,' wrote a friend, while another offered her sympathy to his family, saying 'I am so sad to hear of the death of James - he was such a kind and gentle person and always had a smile when you met him, no matter what.'
A former schoolmate said she had ' so many fond memories of him from school. He was one of those people who could light up any room. Always joking, always making us laugh. He never changed. Even the last time I saw him, he still had that same big, smiley face and infectious energy.'
The PSNI have said that a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and that the investigation is ongoing. Funeral details are to be announced in the coming days.
Three men aged 27, 34 and 42, were arrested in connection with the investigation but were all released on bail to allow for further enquiries.
Detectives have renewed their appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation to contact the Ardmore Police Station, Newry quoting reference CW 35 31/05/25.
Alternatively, they can also make a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (from Northern Ireland) or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Woman spat at Penneys staff after becoming ‘abusive and very threatening', court told
Sgt Enda Daly, in presenting the State's case, said Kathleen Delaney suddenly became 'abusive and very threatening' towards security and the manager of Penneys. Kathleen Delaney was ordered to engage with probation services for the purposes of a restorative justice report. Kathleen Delaney spat at both the manager and security personnel of Penneys in Longford town after becoming "abusive and very threatening", a court was told. A woman who was in the grip of a 'chaotic lifestyle' spat at the manager and security guard of a midlands based department store after becoming "abusive and very threatening' towards its staff, a court has heard. Kathleen Delaney, of Midland Court, Longford appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court where she pleaded guilty to assault and using threatening or insulting behaviour during an incident at Penneys, Longford Centre, Longford on August 15, 2022. Delaney, the court heard, had been in the vicinity of the midlands town's shopping centre shortly before midday when a verbal exchange between the accused and staff unfolded. Kathleen Delaney spat at both the manager and security personnel of Penneys in Longford town after becoming "abusive and very threatening", a court was told. Sgt Enda Daly, in presenting the State's case, said the 46-year-old suddenly became 'abusive and very threatening' towards security and the manager of Penneys. He said that altercation resulted in the accused spitting at a member of the store's security personnel and its manager in an episode which later led to Delaney being issued with an assault summons alongside an accompanying one for public order. Judge Deirdre Gearty was told the accused did have a number previous convictions, however they were of an 'historical' nature that dated back to 1997. Kathleen Delaney outside Longford Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - 7th June Bríd Mimnagh, defending, said Delaney was someone who had been toiling under a 'chaotic lifestyle', challenges which had been more recently exacerbated by a number of bereavements of close family members. 'She just was in a chaotic lifestyle,' said Ms Mimnagh. 'She is doing really well and working full time now.' Ms Mimnagh added how her client had managed to turn her life around by steering clear of any garda attention for a 'considerable length of time'. Kathleen Delaney was ordered to engage with probation services for the purposes of a restorative justice report. In delivering her verdict, Judge Gearty said the case was one which merited Delaney engaging with probation in an attempt to understand the error of her ways by also perhaps reaching out to her male victim or by making a donation to charity. 'Restorative justice is one of the buzz words that's floating around at the minute and it strikes me that this is a situation that if (she) is apologetic for what she has done she could write him a letter (or) she could make a donation to the charity of his choice,' she said. Delaney was remanded on bail to appear back before a sitting of Longford District Court on September 2 for the preparation of a restorative justice report.
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Thief who stole tip jar threw cans of beer at Dublin shop staff jailed
Nancy McDonagh (25) was verbally abusing staff and was throwing cans of beer in their direction. A shoplifter who stole a tip jar from a pub and threw cans of beer at staff in a convenience store in Dublin city centre has been jailed for three months. Nancy McDonagh (25) had been introduced to crime by someone she had been in a 'completely toxic relationship' with, her defence said. Judge Áine Clancy sentenced her at Dublin District Court. McDonagh, with an address at Heatherwood, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to public order and theft charges. O'Connell Street. Photo: Aitor Munoz Munoz News in 90 Seconds - 7th June The court heard gardaí responded to a panic alarm at Spar on O'Connell Street on June 18, 2021. McDonagh was verbally abusing staff and was throwing cans of beer in their direction. She was arrested and taken to Store Street garda station, where she refused to give her name and address. McDonagh stole €150 worth of goods from Weavers of Ireland on Westmoreland Street on January 20, 2022, and a tip jar containing €20 from a pub on Wexford Street on July 28, 2020. McDonagh, who is originally from Carlow, had got into a 'completely toxic relationship' with an 'unsavoury' person who introduced her to a 'lifestyle of criminality', her solicitor Matthew de Courcy said. She was already serving another sentence when she appeared in court. The judge gave her a concurrent jail term.
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man with 145 convictions held knife to woman's throat during cocaine-fuelled burglary
Defendant with 145 previous convictions stated drugs 'blew the socks off me' This was after the man crashed a stolen car close to where she lived in Gyles Quay, a popular North Louth beach which was packed with cars on a sunny Sunday afternoon last year. James McDonagh (38), Dominic Street, Newry, Co. Down, appeared before Dundalk Circuit Court via video link for a sentence hearing. He has been in custody since the offending occurred. He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, unlawfully using a car without consent, dangerous driving and driving without insurance, at Gyles Quay on June 23, 2024. Other charges including false imprisonment of a female are being taken into consideration. He told Gardaí who arrested him at the scene that he had taken too much cocaine. 'It blew the socks off me'. The defendant, one of 13 children, moved to Newry from Dundalk, and has 145 previous convictions on both sides of the border. Judge Dara Hayes adjourned the matter to June 19 and said that there will be a 'significant sentence'. Gardaí had been alerted by the PSNI about a stolen BMW which had crossed the border. A car was spotted acting suspiciously around Bellurgan, north of Dundalk, but despite extensive searches throughout the early hours of the morning it could not to be located. Around 2pm this car was seen on the main Carlingford Road. It turned for Gyles Quay and went into a car park. Gyles Quay basking in glorious sunshine on a day similar to the incident. Photo: Ken Finegan/ News in 90 Seconds - 7th June Det Gda Eimear Gallagher in plain clothes and a colleague wearing full uniform approached the BMW. Its driver's door was open. A man was in the front seat. He didn't engage with the officers and reached down. Det Gda Gallagher testified that she feared he had a weapon. The driver turned on the ignition. She asked him to get out. By this stage the other guard was standing in front of the car. The engine was being revved and Det Gda Gallagher told her colleague to move. At that point Mr McDonagh took off at such speed that the car was 'bouncing' across the potholed surface as he left the car park. The two Gardaí raced to their vehicle and once on the move activated the blue lights and siren to try to get the BMW to stop and to warn pedestrians. One man had to lift a buggy containing a child out of the way to avoid being hit by the defendant as he sped past. Read more The car struck a parked van and as it continued back towards the main road it mounted a footpath on which there were a lot of pedestrians before colliding with a wall and coming to a stop. The driver got out and ran. He had a large silver knife in his right hand and a hammer in the other. He scaled a fence and ran along the beach towards Ferguson's caravan park. Meanwhile, a woman living in a bungalow at the park was sitting on a sofa. It was so warm she had the back doors open. Suddenly, around 3pm, a man came through the door with what she described as a butcher's knife. He had something else in his other hand but she was only focused on the knife. He had blood on his face. He screamed for her car keys and demanded money. The woman's young son came out of his room and was screaming. The woman was in such fear that she was willing to co-operate to protect her son. She couldn't find the keys. McDonagh held the knife to her throat until she found them. While this was going on armed Gardaí had arrived outside. The victim saw them. The man ran and was chased through the house by the guards and out the back door. Det Gda Gallagher told the mother and child to stay inside and not come out until Gardaí returned. Outside, one of the other officers pulled his gun and the man lay down on grass. He was arrested there by Det Gda Gallagher at 3.04pm, some 500m from the house. The man said: 'I think I took too much cocaine. It blew the socks off me. I took the car. I didn't know it was wanted. I was driving nice and slow. I was washing up 'Coke' to do 'Crack'. 'I didn't know they were guards. I put the boot down and drove off. I panicked and I crashed.' Later, he added: 'Jesus, I didn't do a burglary, did I? Only slagging.' McDonagh said that he wasn't going to use the knife. "I was only scaring her. I saw youse outside and I ran. You got me.' He denied putting a knife to the woman's throat. "She walked to me. She must have wanted a claim or something.' "I could get big time. I'm sorry for what I said and what I did.' He signed the memos of interview. The court heard of 145 previous convictions – 85 in the Republic of Ireland and sixty in the North. These included unauthorised taking of vehicles, theft, possession of a knife, robbery, trespass, assault, burglary, assaulting police and drugs possession. Gda Laura O'Connor read out out a harrowing Victim Impact Statement which detailed how the woman and her family had moved to Ireland hoping for a safe and better quality of life. Her husband lost his life tragically here. She spoke of her son screaming for his life and the ongoing consequences of the attack. She felt completely unsafe in her own home. There were flashbacks of the knife against her throat. Her son's terrifying screams haunted her. She thanked the Gardaí. It was stated in a probation report that James McDonagh accepted full responsibility. He had taken a combination of drugs with whiskey when he stole the vehicle in Northern Ireland to sell across the border to buy cocaine. He identified as a member of the Travelling community, the second youngest of 13 children. His parents moved to Newry and he intends to live with his brother in Dundalk. Single, and the father of two adult children, he had never worked and was reliant on social welfare. The defendant was on methadone and continued to use drugs in custody. He was assessed at high risk of reoffending. Judge Hayes said that he was grateful to the victim for coming to court. It was of much assistance to him. 'It was a horrifying experience for you and your son. I'm dreadfully sorry. It's unimaginable how awful it must have been for you and your son.' The judge said these were extremely serious offences. He allowed time for a drugs counsellor's report to be prepared. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
