Australian killed in Ukraine remembered as a ‘larrikin’ and ‘battler’
Mick Charles O’Neill, 47, died this week after heading to Ukraine to help in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s forces.Credit:Facebook
An Australian man who died this week amid fighting in Ukraine has been remembered as “a larrikin [and] always a battler”.
Father-of-three Michael Charles O’Neill, 47, who lived in Hobart, was killed on Wednesday while providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
“Always looking for a cause he headed to Ukraine to drive trucks helping citizens flee the country,” his sister said online.
“He then assisted driving the wounded and injured from the front line. Unfortunately meeting a sad end.”
She said O’Neill drove trucks for the mining industry before going to Ukraine.
O’Neill’s mother said he was killed when the Ukrainian army came under heavy fire in a war zone.
“Our family is grieving, and he has left a huge hole in our lives,” she said online.
“He left two daughters and a son so part of him is still with us. During his time [in Ukraine] he was awarded a commendation for bravery from the Commander of the Ukraine Army so he obviously made his presence felt … Always loved and missed.”
In a death notice in the Hobart Mercury on Saturday, the family wrote: “We are all so proud of you, you did it your way.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said O’Neill’s death was “a tragedy” on Saturday.
“This is a tragedy and I want to give my condolences to the family of the person involved,” Mr Albanese said.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is “providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian killed in Ukraine”.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family,” she said.
A destroyed building in Mariupol, Ukraine.Credit:AP
The department’s advice for Ukraine remains at “do not travel”, with the government advising that its ability to provide consular assistance is limited due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country.
A memorial will be held for O’Neill at the Kermandie Football Clubrooms in Hobart on June 18.
Russian troops began moving into Ukraine and bombing its cities in February. Fighting is ongoing, especially in the eastern Donbas region.
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