One of the country’s oldest men has died at the incredible age of 108 years.
Michael O’Connor was born on 21 October 1913 in Glencar in South Co Kerry.
He sadly passed away on Sunday morning in Kenmare Community Hospital in Co. Kerry.
A friend of his confirmed the news saying he had enjoyed “rude good health” at his home in Muckross until recently.
Michael would have marked his 109th birthday in less than two months’ time.
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He had an extraordinary life, travelling the world with the Merchant Navy and even surviving the sinking of his ship by a German U-boat.
He also escaped the blockade of The Bay of Bengal by the Japanese.
More recently, Mr O’Connor survived the Covid pandemic as well as the Spanish flu which he survived but tragically, his mother succumbed to the virus.
As the centenary of the death of Michael Collins was remembered yesterday Mr O’Connor recalled his memories of the Civil War to RTE.
Speaking last year he said there were many “families against families” and “a lot of bitterness prevailed.
He also said the secret to a long life was to “Be honest in your dealings with others and try to avoid doing wrong by anybody."
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