Benny O'Connor

Mystery illness claims life of popular local

A retired Killarney nurse, Benny O’Connor (56), died this week in Thailand, having been stricken with a sudden illness at his holiday home about 10 days earlier.

The untimely death of Mr O’Connor, a former psychiatric nurse, who had been looking forward to his retirement in the resort of Pattaya, was a cause of deep shock in Killarney where he and his family are very well-known in the town.

Mr O’Connor retired from Saint Finan’s Hospital last year. He was one of a number of hospital staff who had purchased holiday properties in Thailand.

He had flown out to his apartment in the middle of June with the intention of spending several months in Thailand, but was suddenly taken ill about two weeks ago.

The illness progressed so rapidly that he was hospitalised and placed on life support.

Mr O’Connor’s brother, Seamus, and his nephew, Patrick, flew out to be at his hospital bedside.

The family received numerous expressions of concern after the news broke that Mr O’Connor was seriously ill.

- Kerry's Eye (Ireland) / 2009-08-13

My condolences to the family and friends.

RIP

A sad story. It's a difficult thing to deal with, when someone who has just retired it taken too early.

Condolences to family and friends.

Maybe a heart attack or stroke.

This guy was about the same age as me.

Just hits home that any one of us could pop our clogs at anytime, so make the most of it folks.

Any more news on what the Mystery illness was ? My condolences to the family .

I am thinking about the mystery illnesses and deaths at Koh P.P. , I know theres no link but ?

hope his brief thai journey was memorable for him.....RIP.

Its later than you think boys,live every day as if it were your last.

How very sad. RIP.

Brings it to you with a bang.

I am 54, want to live to 90 with my Thai partner, but if I do not wake up tomorrow I know I will have had good thoughts inside and love beside me.

Benny, I hope you take with you pleasant and happy memories. God bless

R.I.P