Heartbreaking funeral details for ‘loving’ dad-of-three, 38, knifed to death in row outside Cork house revealed

A man, who was arrested for questioning in connection with the incident, was subsequently released without charge
FUNERAL details for a tragic father-of-three knifed to death outside a home have been announced.

Mark O’Connell, who died following a stabbing incident at Hollyhill on the northside of Cork city last weekend, will be laid to rest on Friday.

Gardai and the emergency services attended at a house in Hollyville in Hollyhill shortly after 4.30am last Sunday when the alarm was raised.

O’Connell, 38, was found with injuries outside the property.

He 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.

The results were not released for operational reasons. However, it is understood that Mr O’Connell suffered a violent death.

Mr O’Connell was predeceased by his mother Ann.

He was the “loving father” of Kathryn, Jake and Sean, partner of Samantha and brother of Philip.

He is also survived by his grandmother Mary, uncles and aunts, extended family, his colleagues and a large circle of friends.

He will lie in repose at the Coburg Street Funeral Home of Jerh O’Connor on Thursday from 5pm to 6pm.

A requiem mass for Mark will take place on Friday at 11.30am in the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork with burial following at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.

‘MUCH-VALUED AND RESPECTED’

O’Connell was a “much-valued and respected” employee at Northside Community Enterprises in Farranferris, Cork.

They said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Mark’s passing.

“Mark was a much-valued and respected employee of Northside Community Enterprises.

“We send our sincere condolences to Mark’s family and to everyone coming to terms with this dreadful news.”

‘LOVELY LAD’

Friends said that he was “a lovely lad” who was very giving of his time.

A man in his mid-50s was arrested for questioning in connection with the incident. He was subsequently released without charge.

A file will be sent to the DPP.

Gardai previously made a renewed appeal for witnesses and said they were looking in particular for any camera footage from the area to help with their probe.