Vale: Shane O’Neill
Austar director Shane O'Neill passed away last week after a prolonged illness.
- Published by David Knox
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Shane O’Neill, one of the best-known executives in the pay TV industry, passed away last week.
He had been suffering from a form of Creutzfeld-Jakob brain disease since its diagnosis over a year ago.
He retired as chief strategy officer, Liberty Global, and president, Chellomedia late last year at an event attended by Liberty chairman John Malone and president and CEO Mike Fries among others.
Austar has taken an ad in The AFR to note his passing:
Austar is saddened by the news that Shane O’Neill has passed away at the age of 50 after a prolonged illness.
O’Neill was an Austar Board Director from January 2005 to September 2011, stepping down due to illness. O’Neill was a friend, and provided valuable counsel to the Board and Austar’s Senior Management. O’Neill’s humour, passion and energy will be greatly missed.
Australia had a very important place in O’Neill’s life. In 1985 O’Neill relocated to Sydney from Ireland and enjoyed a 10 year career in investment banking with Macquarie Bank and Goldman Sachs. Before moving to London O’Neill made Australia his second home and made many lifelong friends.