Crime & Safety

[UPDATE] DA: Fugitive O'Neill Fled to Ireland

O'Neill, 23, who killed a friend in Willistown in 2006 and drunkenly crashed his SUV into a home on Thanksgiving 2011, failed court-ordered drug-tests and fled to Ireland, according to the District Attorney.

Update 11/28/12 3:25pm: The Chester County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that Sean O'Neill is in Ireland. Below is an excerpt of the release from DA Tom Hogan:

Chester County Detectives confirmed that O'Neill is presently in Ireland.  O'Neill's father previously was deported to Ireland following a criminal conviction.

District Attorney Hogan added, "If O'Neill ever returns to the United States, he will be arrested immediately."

Original story continues below.

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Editor's note: The following information comes from the Chester County District Attorney's Office. [Link added]

Convicted Criminal Sean O'Neill a Fugitive

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Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Sean O'Neill, age 23.  O'Neill, most recently convicted on a DUI and previously adjudicated as a juvenile for killing a friend, has violated the terms of his supervision and been declared a fugitive.

District Attorney Hogan stated, "Sean O'Neill is a convicted criminal who is abusing the system.  From his juvenile conduct to his criminal record as an adult, he has shown a complete lack of respect for the law."

In September of 2006, O'Neill shot and killed his friend, Scott Sheridan, at the O'Neill family home in Willistown after a night of drinking.  O'Neill was charged as an adult but his case was transferred to juvenile court where he was adjudicted delinquent on Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault charges. 

On July 11, 2012, O'Neill was sentenced by the Honorable William P. Mahon to sixty days to six months in prison for Driving Under the Influence.  O'Neill was arrested in the early morning hours of November 24, 2011 after he crashed his Cadillac SUV into the garage of a house on Westtown Road in West Goshen.  Three people were asleep in the home at the time.  O'Neill's BAC was .258, more than three times the legal limit.

O'Neill served his prison sentence and is currently on parole.  While on parole, he allegedly tested positive for alcohol and then illegal drugs.  He subsequently absconded from parole supervision and a bench warrant for his arrest was issued.

District Attorney Hogan added, "We have received some information that O'Neill has fled the country.  If that is true, good riddance.  If he remains in the United States, we will catch him and bring him to justice."

Anybody with information should contact the Chester County Detectives at 610-692-5100 or the Chester County Adult Probation Department at 610-344-6290.

See also:

Inquirer: DUI Suspect Has Criminal History in Willistown


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