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Tony O’Reilly, the previous proprietor of the Independent and Belfast Telegraph newspapers, has died in Dublin following a short illness.
Mr O’Reilly, 88, was one in all Ireland’s main enterprise figures.
He constructed a global media enterprise which at one stage owned greater than 100 newspapers.
He ultimately misplaced management of the enterprise in a boardroom battle and was personally bankrupted late in life.
In a press release on Saturday evening, his household mentioned: “In the approaching days there might be many worthy tributes made to Tony O’Reilly’s distinctive and extraordinary achievements within the fields of enterprise and sport.
“As nicely as his extraordinary philanthropic imaginative and prescient which was greatest evidenced by the institution of the Ireland Funds at a darkish time on this island’s historical past.
“But, for us, he was a dearly-loved dad and a granddad.
“He lived one of many nice lives and we had been lucky to spend time with him in latest weeks as that nice life drew to an in depth.”
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Born in Dublin in 1936, Tony O’Reilly made his worldwide debut for Ireland in rugby in 1955 and have become the youngest participant to be chosen for the Lions.
In his enterprise profession he pioneered the dairy model Kerrygold, turning it into one in all Ireland’s most well-known international shopper manufacturers.
He later grew to become the chairman of the meals large Heinz and in 1973 took management of Independent Newspapers, writer of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and Evening Herald.
He was additionally identified for his philanthropy, establishing The Ireland Funds, which gave cash from US donors to reconciliation initiatives across the Irish border.
Mr O’Reilly was knighted within the 2001 New Year Honours by the late Queen Elizabeth II “for long and distinguished service to Northern Ireland”.
The Tánaiste (Ireland’s deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin paid tribute to him on X, previously Twitter, as “a pioneering spirit who had a unprecedented impression on Irish enterprise, sport, media and society”.
“Through the Ireland Funds, Tony modified the worldwide narrative on peace and reconciliation on this island,” he added.
The Irish Rugby Football Union posted on X: “A legend of the sport has handed. Our deepest sympathies to his household and associates.”
