“Michael O'Neill dead 2024” : Coach killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • Belfast
  • Last updated on

Michael O'Neill is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

News of coach Michael O'Neill’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 55-year-old coach is alive and well.

UPDATE 25/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Michael O'Neill death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the coach’s alleged demise gained traction on Monday after a ‘R.I.P. Michael O'Neill’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Irish coach’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Monday (December 23, 2024), our beloved coach Michael O'Neill passed away. Michael O'Neill was born on July 5, 1969 in Portadown. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 55-year-old coach was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Irish network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a coach of Michael O'Neill's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (73%) of respondents think those Michael O'Neill death rumors are not funny anymore.

Michael O'Neill Death Hoax Dismissed Since Coach Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Tuesday (December 24) the coach's reps officially confirmed that Michael O'Neill is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved coach. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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