
Irishman who died tragically in the US to be repatriated to family home today
A 21-year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Mr O'Brien, 35, and his wife Michelle were expecting their third child in September.
The deceased man moved to the US more than a decade ago from the east Donegal village of Killygordon and was a hugely popular member of the local Irish community in America.
He was a member of the Wild Geese GAA Club and worked as vice president of operations with TM Grady Builders.
The company has launched a GoFundMe page which has received a huge response from the local community with more than €250,000 being raised already.
Damien is deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife, Michelle, (nee O'Connor), adoring sons Oscar and Luke, his parents Patricia and Bernard, parents-in-law, Pat and Patricia O'Connor (Glenfin), sisters Colleen and Róisin, brothers Stephen and Bernard, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, partners, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, colleagues and wide circle of friends.
He will repose at the home of his parents in Stoneybatter, Killygordon from 5pm today (Wednesday, 16th July) until 9pm and on Thursday, 17th July from 1pm until 9pm with the Rosary nightly at 9pm with family time on both nights from after the Rosary and on the morning of the funeral.
Damien's Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 18th July, at 12 noon in St. Patrick's Church, Killygordon, F93 W2C2, where Damien was baptised, received his First Communion and Confirmation.
He will be buried afterwards in Cill Mhuire Cemetery, Glenfin.
Mr O'Brien's burial is strictly private for the O'Brien and O'Connor families only.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
35 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
All Irish WhatsApp users placed on high alert as new warning issued this week
WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging apps in Ireland, with millions relying on it every day to stay in touch with family and friends. But now, Irish users are being urged to stay on high alert following a renewed warning about a dangerous message that continues to catch people out. The alert was issued this week after authorities reminded the public of a long-running and highly convincing message scam that has already cost victims hundreds of thousands of euros. The threat is commonly known as the 'Hi mum' message - an approach that's been circulating for years and continues to trick unsuspecting users into handing over money to fraudsters posing as loved ones in distress. Typically, the scam begins with a simple message such as 'Hi mum' or 'Hi dad', sent from an unknown number. Once the victim responds, the scammer builds a story claiming their phone has been lost or damaged and that they urgently need money to replace it. The emotional manipulation and casual tone of the message are what make this trick so convincing. Many parents and relatives are caught out by the urgency and personal nature of the request, and often transfer funds before realising they've been scammed. Authorities are urging everyone who uses WhatsApp to stay vigilant. Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Beware of fraudsters posing as friends or family, and claiming to need urgent financial help. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person outside of WhatsApp to confirm their identity." Action Fraud alert (Image: ACTION FRAUD) To help stop the spread of these messages, users are advised to report and block suspicious contacts immediately. Action Fraud added: "Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select 'Report' and then follow the instructions. If you lost money as a result of the scam message, please report it to Action Fraud." For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and Get all the big crime and court stories direct to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here.


Irish Post
an hour ago
- Irish Post
Nearly a third of Irish companies have paid a cyber ransom, a new report shows
RECENT research shows a sharp rise in the frequency and financial toll of cyberattacks targeting businesses across Ireland. A new study conducted by technology consultancy Expleo surveyed 200 business and IT makers from Irish firms with over 250 employees. Nearly 30% of large enterprises were forced to pay at least one cyber ransom in the past year, with the average payment reaching €683,000. A fifth of companies now reserve an average of €2.7 million in anticipation of future cyberattacks—evidence that for many, ransomware is no longer a threat but a certainty. Cybercriminals are increasingly turning to targeted techniques such as "whaling"—a form of phishing that focuses on high-ranking executives like CEOs and CFOs. Half of the organisations surveyed reported a successful breach through this method in the past year, while a staggering 85% said they had encountered at least one attempt. AI attacks are also becoming more common. Forty-one percent of large businesses experienced an attack in the last 12 months. Despite this, only 30% of businesses are increasing their cybersecurity investments, while 22% say their technologies are outdated and 17% say they are underinvesting altogether. According to Expleo's Business Transformation Index 2025, 24% of enterprise leaders expect to fall victim to a cyberattack within the next year. Many now view cybercrime as an unavoidable cost of doing business. Phil Codd, managing director of Expleo Ireland, emphasised the gravity of the situation: 'Ransom demands are no longer just a threat—they are now a mainstay of cybersecurity strategies for organisations. Whether it's an AI attack or not, cybercrime, at its core, is about people—and there is a real-life fallout from every attack.' The consequences are not just financial. Research by Gallagher Insurance found that among Irish companies that experienced cyberattacks over the past five years, 88% reported financial losses and operational disruptions. Additional consequences included intellectual property theft (26%), supply chain interruptions (23%), and reputational damage (23%). Another growing concern is state-sponsored cyberterrorism. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of Irish business leaders say it now poses a greater threat than it did a year ago. The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), which oversees the €17 billion Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), recently fell victim to a phishing scam. A fraudulent payment request—disguised to resemble a legitimate one—led to the loss of €5 million. The breach led to a review of the NTMA's security protocols. While awareness of cyber threats is high—over 90% of Irish business leaders expressed concern about rising cybercrime—preparedness remains a worry. The disconnect between risk perception and investment is especially alarming in the face of rapidly advancing attack vectors. Cybersecurity experts warn that organisations must move from reactive to proactive strategies. This includes modernising outdated systems, training staff to recognise suspicious tactics and pouring more resources into cyber defence. See More: Cyber Attack, Cyber Crime, Expleo, ISIF, NTMA


Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Irish woman went through ‘absolute nightmare' after alleged rape in Amsterdam, court told
An Irish woman in her 30s who was allegedly raped in Amsterdam says she remembers nothing of the incident, a public prosecutor told a pre-trial hearing for the case.