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Pictures show the lavish funeral of an ‘extremely violent’ Irish gangster who was buried in a gold coffin alongside cocaine tributes taunting police after he died in a car crash.
Stephen O’Reilly, a father-of-one, was pronounced dead at the scene in Edenderry, County Offaly, on Monday, May 20.
O’Reilly – who was in his 30s and from Athlone, County Westmeath – held convictions for burglaries and serious offences, and was regarded as a violent and dangerous criminal, according to BelfastLive.
But he was also described as having a ‘heart of gold’ by mourners – hence the extravagant colour of the coffin, which was carried by six men and a woman to Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’.
Photos from the funeral show printed pictures of tattooed O’Reilly topless and flexing with the words: ‘The real Pablo. The one and only Gangster Reilly.’
One bizarre display mounted on a golden plaque and outlined with white paper flowers depicted a container full of cocaine with the words ‘no comment’ beneath.
Stephen O’Reilly was pronounced dead following a car crash in Edenderry, County Offaly on May 20
Photos from the funeral show printed pictures of tattooed O’Reilly topless and flexing with the words: ‘The real Pablo. The one and only Gangster Reilly’
One display depicted a container full of white powder with the words ‘no comment’
Other images showed an old-fashioned mobile phone, captioned ‘Uncle Reilly’, a picture of black pepper and one of a white trainer shoe.
The decorative and boarded black pepper display mocked a named detective, reading: ‘Detective [name] 0, Reilly 1’.
Another depicted a yellow tropical RedBull can accompanied underneath with the word: ‘Son’.
One more saw a gun cutout below an image of O’Reilly and another man, alongside a caption that read: ‘My Brother Don Pablo, Familia Por Siempre’.
According to the Irish Independent, O’Reilly was reportedly closely aligned to a ‘notorious’ Organised Crime Gang and was due before a number of courts across the midlands.
The newspaper reported a source as calling him an ‘extremely violent individual’.
In footage of the funeral’s aftermath captured by the Irish newspaper, a man can be seen lying face down on the ground after being arrested by national police.
‘Gardaí arrested and charged a male (30s) in Athlone, County Westmeath on Saturday, 25th May 2024 for road traffic offences,’ said a garda spokesperson.
‘As this matter is currently before the courts, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to comment further.’
Posting on social media, mourners wrote: ‘This has to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write in my life. I just cannot believe you are gone. A lot of hearts are left broken my friend….Rest in peace Stephen’
‘Rip buddy you were 1 in a million. Condolences to all who knew him. I Hope ye find some strength.. x He was a legend and a good friend,’ another said.
Pictures show the lavish funeral of an Irish gangster who died in a car crash – complete with a gold-coloured coffin and topless photos
Another tribute depicted a yellow tropical RedBull can accompanied underneath with the word: ‘Son’
One more saw a gun cutout below an image of O’Reilly and another man, alongside a caption that read: ‘My Brother Don Pablo, Familia Por Siempre’
O’Reilly (pictured) was laid to rest at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan, Athlone, at noon on Saturday
‘What are we gonna do without you? I can’t believe I’m even writing this. I’m so, so heartbroken over ya Reilly. It feels like a terrible dream, it doesn’t feel real at all. Like why did God have to take you. It really is true he definitely only takes the best. We are all in bits. I wish I could change this,’ a third added.
Another friend wrote: ‘Literally can’t come to terms with it or even think it’s true. You were a true Legend and always a great laugh. A fella with a heart of gold and do anything for your friends & family. So many funny memories I’ll never forget ya for the things ya done for me
He was laid to rest at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan, Athlone, at noon on Saturday.
A notice on RIP.ie reads: ‘Stephen (Reilly) O’Reilly, 9 Beechpark West, Athlone, Westmeath / Greystones, Dublin
‘Predeceased by his beloved brother James and his granddad Michael.
‘Sadly missed by his loving fiancée Aoife, daughter Kayleigh, father Joe, mother Catherine, sister Michaela, Catriona and Shamini, best friends Mark, Eddie, Fidgy and Shannen and their children, relatives and many friends. May He Rest In Peace’.
