Owen O'Callaghan, one of Ireland's best-known developers, has died
The prominent Cork developer became unwell over Christmas.
WELL-KNOWN CORK developer Owen O’Callaghan died in hospital overnight, it has been confirmed.
O’Callaghan (76) was one the country’s most successful developers and was well-known known for the development of large commercial centres.
These include the Mahon Point and Merchants Quay shopping centres in Cork and the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin.
O’Callaghan died last night in Cork University Hospital after becoming ill over the Christmas period.
His lengthy career continued into last year when his O’Callaghan Properties group announced that it was building a new €90 million office block in Albert Quay.
Since word of his death has become public, people have been paying tributes to O’Callaghan and the lasting impression his work has had on Cork and beyond.
Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Des Cahill described him as a “visionary Cork businessman”.
O’Callaghan’s career was at times controversial and the Mahon Tribunal made a number of findings against him as part of investigations into payments to politicians.
It was also alleged by witnesses to the tribunal that O’Callaghan had told them that he had made payments to Bertie Ahern. Both parties denied this.
The businessman had consistently rejected the findings of the tribunal and had taken legal proceedings against the conclusions.
O’Callaghan’s company is currently awaiting planning permission for a major office development on Albert Quay, which is set to be the largest single site commercial office building ever built in Cork.
The developer, who supported several charities in Cork, is survived by his wife Sheelagh, son Brian and daughter Zelda.
Written by Rónán Duffy and posted on TheJournal.ie
