Daughter’s heartbreaking ‘never in million years’ funeral admission as dad-of-3 knifed to death outside Cork home hailed

A man in his mid-fifties has been arrested for questioning in relation to the incident

A FATHER-of-three stabbed to death outside a home last weekend was hailed as the biggest supporter of his beloved family.

Mark O’Connell, of Fairfield Green in Farranree in Cork city, was found with injuries outside a property in Hollyville shortly after 4.30am last Sunday.

Members of the emergency services attended at the scene on the northside of the city having received a 999 call.

The 38-year-old was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A murder investigation was launched after gardai received the results of a post-mortem examination carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

His heartbroken daughter, Katlyn, paid tribute to him during his funeral in the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree on Friday morning.

She smiled as she told of how much her father loved to dance and sing with her.

She joked that he wasn’t skilled in either activity, but she was fortunate to have had such a loving father.

Katlyn told mourners: “Never in a million years did I think I would be up here talking about my dad.

“My dad was a kind man who always had a smile on his face. I will never forget everything he has done for me.

“I used to sit and chat with him all the time. Every Friday morning, when he brought us to school, he would have the song It Is Friday [sic] blaring with a smile on his face to make sure we stayed in a good mood.

“Whenever I had a match or even training, I could always hear his voice, and it would always make it better. He cheered for me so loudly.

“He used to always tell his friends how proud he was of me, and I will never forget that.”

‘FUNNIEST MAN’

Brave Katlyn recalled going ice skating with her father, “who was stuck to the fence the whole time”, adding he was the “funniest man” in her life.

Chief celebrant of the service was Fr David O’Connell, of Monkstown parish in Co Cork, who was the deceased’s uncle.

Fr O’Connell said that after the news emerged of the death of Mark, his loved ones were left asking: How, where and when?

He recalled: “The news. The shock. The pain. The questions. The anger. The tears. The waiting for the process to be completed.”

Fr O’Connell thanked all those who had assisted the family in the wake of the tragedy.

SYMBOLS

Mark was a big Liverpool supporter, and Katlyn brought a team scarf to the altar as a symbol of his life.

Her brother Jake carried a lighter to the altar, representing his dad’s “smokes”.

Hairspray was also among the symbols of his life.

Mourners’ laughter echoed through the church as they were told it signified Mark’s “love of his hair and himself”.

Liverpool’s anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone, was played as the coffin was carried from the church for burial at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.

Mark, who was predeceased by his mother, Ann, was the “loving father” of Katlyn, Jake, and Sean.

He was also the partner of Samantha, and brother to Philip.