Tributes paid to homeless man who passed away on Monday

Tributes have been paid to a young homeless man who passed away at Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore on Monday night.

Cork native Conor O’Hagan (25) had been sleeping rough in various locations around Tullamore since last autumn and busked at locations in the centre of the town. He had also performed at the Acoustic Tuesday event in Joe Lee’s.
After spending the winter sleeping rough, O’Hagan was hospitalised in recent weeks. The cause of his death is unknown.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week, community activist Ken Smollen said that he and a number of local peopel had tried to help Mr Hogan during his time in Tullamore.

Mr Hogan’s friend Mark Allen said that people who knew him in Cork were shocked when the news emerged of his passing.

“He was really sound and had a really good heart. He was also a very talented musician.”

“I brought him some food and a sleeping bag and know others brought him sleeping bags and a tent. It’s desperately sad.”

A memorial service was held in honour of Mr O’Hagan in O’Reilly’s funeral home on Wednesday evening, at which a number of local musicians performed. At the service, one of the organisers Eva Donlon read out a message from Mr O’Hanan’s mother, Sandra.

“We all knew at some point that Conor would head off and that’s exactly what happened. Tullamore became his last place to be under the stars. He stayed because he was shown kindness and could busk. He was a free spirited musician and could do that in Tullamore. Everyone’s best wishes have been a real comfort in the last few days. Conor has had a profound affect on so many people in his short life; a life that he lived how he wanted, free beneath the stars.”

Mr Hogan is survived by his parents and brother.