'Selfless' Paul laid to rest

Mourners gathered at the Church of the Assumption in Ballyphehane on Wednesday for the funeral of former local priest and community activist, Paul O’Donoghue.

The congregation heard how Mr O’Donoghue, who was born in the family home on Connelly Road in Cork city, was always a big child at heart who always did what he thought would make other people happy.

Mr O’Donoghue passed away peacefully at the age of 64 on Saturday surrounded by family and loved ones at CUH.

An avid art lover and vintage car enthusiast, Mr O’Donoghue was described by his niece Sabrina as a man full of fun and mischief who packed so much into his 64 years.

Before becoming a priest, Mr O’Donoghue was involved in St John’s Ambulance and the Cope Foundation, as well as working as a bus driver.

“His claim to fame was that, when Michael Jackson was here in Cork in the ‘80s, he drove Jackson around and apparently he got a jacket from him,” Sabrina told mourners.

“When we all asked, ‘What did you do with the jacket, Paul?’ – he gave it away because that’s what Paul would do if he thought somebody else would get pleasure in something, he’d go and he’d give it away,” she added.

During his time in the priesthood, Mr O’Donoghue served in a number of parishes including Knocknaheeny and Ballincollig, as well as in his local area of Ballyphehane.

After entering the priesthood in the early ‘90s, Mr O’Donoghue was appointed as chaplain at Terence MacSwiney Community College in Knocknaheeny where he was heavily involved in setting up the college’s youth centre.

“To say we’ll miss him is an understatement,” said Sabrina.

Sending wishes from overseas in Australia, Mr O’Donoghue’s nephew Anthony wrote: “I could go and on about how much Paul meant to me and how deeply he touched so many people from all walks of life but that’s already been clear by the overwhelming outpouring of well wishes to the family.

“Paul was a selfless person as I’m sure you all know. He would go out of his way to help people and guide them through their toughest moments.”