Private funeral arranged for Mallow murder victim Paul O’Connor

A private funeral will be held in the coming days for 56‑year‑old Paul ‘Bosco’ O’Connor, who was murdered in Mallow, Co Cork last week.

Mr O’Connor’s body was discovered in undergrowth on the banks of the River Blackwater at Ballyellis, Mallow, at about 1.30 pm on Thursday 15 October. He had been shot twice at close range.

He was a native of Connolly Road, Ballyphehane, Cork city, and is survived by three siblings, in‑laws, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A death notice on RIP.ie states he will lie in repose at Sullivan’s Funeral Home in Turner’s Cross from 5 pm to 6 pm on Saturday.

An Eastern European man in his 30s was arrested in Mallow on Monday in connection with the killing and remains in Garda custody at Mallow Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, where he can be detained until Monday evening.

Gardaí cordoned the scene for a technical examination and an autopsy was performed at Cork University Hospital by assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster, though results have not been released for operational reasons.

Investigators believe Mr O’Connor travelled from Kent Train Station in Cork city to Mallow on 14 October, arriving shortly after 7.20 pm. Gardaí are seeking anyone who was on that train, in Mallow town between 7.20 pm on 14 October and 1.30 pm on 15 October, or near the riverbank at Ballyellis during that period. They also ask road users or pedestrians with dash‑cam or other footage to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to call Mallow Garda Station on (022) 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Investigations are ongoing.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Oktay Köseoğlu / Pexels.