21-07-2025
Funeral mass of Irish Daily Star and Irish Mirror photographer Mick O'Neill hears how he was ‘irreplaceable'
Mourners heard how the crowds gathered for his funeral were a 'testament to just how much Mick was loved and will be missed' as a colleague recalled how he "would treat a homeless person with the same respect as the President'.
His granddaughter Mya told how Mr O'Neill was not just her grandfather, but someone with whom she shared a strong bond.
'He wasn't only my grandad, he was my best friend,' Mya said. 'We had such a strong bond. I'm not sure if he just liked breakfast or if it was an excuse to call me, but every time it was always the same question: 'Want to go for breakfast?'
'If I had a problem he could solve, he would do it.
'He was always so proud. He would make it out that whatever I did, no one has ever done it before. Reading all the comments, I see he would mention it to his friends too.'
Mya said her grandfather would do 'everything' for her to be happy, including running 'all over Ireland' to get her the pair of Uggs she had mentioned for Christmas.
'We loved to eat chocolate together so it was easy to find a gift we could both enjoy, but sometimes all I got was a photo. He gave me so many memories that I'll never forget, probably because he always had the camera ready to snap,' she said.
'I love you Grandad Mick, I miss your calls already.'
He was 'always happiest when he was out on the bike with the lads'
A blue floral arrangement in the shape of the word 'Dad' was laid in front of his coffin at the Church of St Finian's, River Valley in Swords this morning, where his funeral took place.
Mr O'Neill died after his motorbike crashed with a tractor and trailer on the Old Airport Road (Collinstown Lane) in north Dublin at around 11am on July 12.
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His close friend, Noel, who he grew up just minutes from him in Artane, worked with Mr O'Neill throughout his life – starting at Independent Newspapers – and shared a close bond with over their love of motorbikes.
He told how Mr O'Neill 'was always happiest when he was out on the bike with the lads'.
He thanked the large crowd that attended the mass, as well as the emergency services and the staff at the Mater Hospital who 'worked courageously during what was a very traumatic time'.
'Mick was a solid bloke. When you became his friend, you stayed his friend. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone,' Noel said.
'Mick had a great effect on people. He was just well liked because of his modesty, his subtle sense of humour – which we all know – and his professional approach to his work.'
He said he will never forget how Mr O'Neill became part of the 'rock' that supported him when they were both made redundant in 2004.
"He always had a positive vibe and said things will get better. And he was right, because they did.'
'A mentor and friend to dozens of reporters over the years'
Mr O'Neill pursued a career in press photography, later becoming the chief press photographer with Reach Ireland, which comprises the Irish Daily Star and Mirror newspapers.
Earlier this year, one of Mr O'Neill's images was named in the top 50 photos at the World Press Awards.
'The message I have to the person who hired Mick as their man at the Star. You not only knew that he was the best man for the job, but he was the right man. Mick was always the right man,' Noel added.
In a message read on behalf of Mr O'Neill's colleagues, Irish Mirror and Irish Star crime and defence editor Mick O'Toole wrote that the photographer was 'a mentor and friend to dozens of reporters over the years'.
'He loved the variety of the work and would treat a homeless person with the same respect as the President,' he said.
Mr O'Toole told how the photographer had a 'unique way of putting interviewees at ease' and was a support to reporters throughout their work with his ideas, humour, energy, dedication and advice.
'He was always motivated, always cheerful and could be depended on even in the toughest of spots. He travelled all over the world with his job – often on risky assignments,' Mr O'Toole said.
'Some of the countries that he went to included Peru, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Mauritius, India, Dubai, Spain. But whenever he went, he never forgot that he was a proud Dubliner.'
Mr O'Neill worked on many high-profile jobs and stories throughout his career, with Mr O'Toole adding: 'All his colleagues are devastated by his loss. He is irreplaceable.'
In his death notice, Mr O'Neill was described as the 'loving father of Karl', who was predeceased by his parents Mick and Angela.
'Very sadly missed by his son, grandchildren Mya and Kai, Karl's partner Vicky, Karl's mother Lorraine, brothers Terry and Owen, sisters Ann and Helena, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.'
The funeral mass was followed by burial in Dardistown Cemetery.
