'Always had a smile on his face' - Man who died in Cork stabbing hailed by daughter as devoted father

"My dad was a kind man who always had a smile on his face. I will never forget everything he done for me."

"I used to sit and chat with him all the time. Every Friday morning when he brought us to school he would have the song 'It's Friday Again' blaring with a smile on his face to make sure we stayed in a good mood."

"The news. The shock. The pain. The questions. The anger. The tears. The waiting for the process to be completed,"

Mourners attended the requiem mass of Mark O'Connell (38) at the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree, Cork. He died at Cork University Hospital after being discovered with critical injuries outside a property at Hollyville, Hollyhill early last Sunday morning. He is survived by three children, Katlyn, Jake and Sean, his partner Samantha, his brother Philip and extended family. His daughter Katlyn paid an emotional tribute, recalling his kindness, constant smile, Friday school runs with 'It's Friday Again', loud support at her matches, and family moments like ice skating. Chief celebrant Fr David O'Connell of Monkstown parish said the family were left asking "how, where and when?" and listed the shock, pain and questions faced by loved ones.

Read at Irish Independent