Judge pays tribute to the late Neill O’Neill

TRIBUTES CONTINUE The late Neill O’Neill.

Anton McNulty

At last Wednesday’s sitting of Castlebar District Court, Judge Mary Devins led the tributes to Neill O’Neill, the Managing Director of The Mayo News who died suddenly last week.
She expressed her condolences and those of all court users to Neill’s partner Emma and his family and colleagues in The Mayo News and local media generally on his ‘extremely sad death’ after he took ill at home on Tuesday, October 10 last.
“I was aware of the esteem in which he was held by his colleagues and he held a very important role in The Mayo News,” she said.
Judge Devins said media men like Neill performed a very important role in the administration of justice. Newspaper coverage of court cases often acted as part of the sentence of someone appearing before the courts, she said.  
On behalf of the Mayo Bar, solicitor Tom Walsh said Neill was held in ‘high regard’ by any solicitor who had dealings with him and he said Neill’s professionalism came across in the TV documentary The Local Eye which featured Neill and The Mayo News.
“He had an incredible, in-depth knowledge of Westport and west Mayo. That was shown in his memorable interview with the gentleman from Mulranny,” said Mr Walsh of Neill’s famous interview with Brendan ‘Sherlock’ Holmes for The Local Eye.
He said a ‘terrible pall’ hung over Westport and Mayo after the death.
Superintendent Joe McKenna said that Mr O’Neill was, like himself, a ‘natural born Covey’ and he worked with Neill on several initiatives through Neill’s role as President of the Westport Chamber of Commerce. He was also involved with Neill with Westport United and said a ‘huge cloud hung over Westport and everyone in the county was shocked ’by the news’.
Edwin McGreal of The Mayo News thanked everyone for their kind words on behalf of the local press, particularly The Mayo News.
“It has been a very difficult week and we are deeply appreciative of your kind comments,” he said.
In the Circuit Court which is currently sitting in Castlebar, Judge Rory McCabe expressed his shock at the death of someone so young and expressed sympathy with Mr O’Neill’s partner and family. He said newspapers play an important part in the covering of justice in court.
Echoing Judge McCabe’s sentiments, barrister Diarmuid Connolly, said that newspapers brought what happens in courts into people’s homes. He said Mr O’Neill excelled at his job in an extremely difficult market and the phrase a ‘newspaper man’ was apt to describe what he brought to the industry.
State Solicitor, Vincent Deane said he knew Mr O’Neill both professionally and socially and described him as ‘a fun character’. He expressed his sympathy to his partner and family.