The tribute came as the Requiem Mass of Daniel ‘Dano’ O’Sullivan (32) took place in his native Mallow.
Mr O’Sullivan died after suffering a stab injury in an incident on North Main Street in Youghal on the evening of April 14.
He was pronounced dead in the early hours of April 15 after being rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH).
Mr O’Sullivan of Carhookeal, Mallow is survived by his mother, Aileen, his sisters Jessica and Samantha, partner Ciara and extended family.
His Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Resurrection in Mallow with his funeral following to St Gobnait’s Cemetery.
Mr O’Sullivan’s family issued a special message to the emergency services who tried so hard to help him that night.
“The family would like to thank the paramedics, members of An Garda Síochana and the staff of Cork University Hospital for their care and attention at such a difficult time,” a family spokesperson said.
Mr O’Sullivan’s sister, Samantha, admitted the entire family were devastated by the tragedy.
“He was one-in-a million…he had the biggest heart. He was a great big bro and looked out for everyone,” she said.
“Rest in peace big bro – my heart is broken. You were one of a kind Dan. (We) love you forever.”
Mr O’Sullivan had lived a very dysfunctional life and battled serious drug and alcohol addiction issues.
He was originally from Mallow in north Cork but had lived in Cork city, Waterford and Youghal over recent years.
He had been living in an apartment in Brown’s Court in Youghal over recent months.
In 2016, Mr O’Sullivan was sentenced to eight years in prison for the alcohol-fuelled manslaughter of a homeless Frenchman in Cork city centre.
Mr O’Sullivan punched Vincent Morgain (34) on Oliver Plunkett Street on September 10, 2015 after he had consumed a bottle of vodka.
The Frenchman was punched as Mr O’Sullivan and two other men grabbed a bottle which Mr Morgain’s female companion had been drinking.
Mr Morgain struck his head as he fell and, as he attempted to get up, Mr O’Sullivan kicked him in the face.
The Frenchman was taken to hospital where he lapsed into a coma and died five days later from a traumatic brain injury.
His sister, Marie Thomas, said in 2016 she hoped Mr O’Sullivan would use the suspended portion of his prison sentence to get rehabilitation “and make good of his life.”
Three years of the eight year sentence were suspended – but he was sent back to prison in 2021 after failing to comply with the directions of the Probation and Welfare Service (PWS).
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard four years ago that Mr O’Sullivan – who had been begging on the streets of Waterford – was struggling with heroin addiction and homelessness.
Despite repeated efforts by the PWS to get him into a drug treatment programme, he failed to comply with their directions.
His defence counsel advised that: “He wants to get on with his life, free from the chains on him at the moment – his addiction to heroin, begging on the street and homelessness.”
The court was told the PWS considered Mr O’Sullivan a young man of great potential but who needed to address his drug and alcohol problems.
Mr O’Sullivan died after suffering a fatal stab wound just off North Main Street in Youghal shortly before 10pm on Monday (April 14).
A 29 year old man was charged with Mr O’Sullivan’s murder before Midleton District Court last week.
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