Climber on first successful Irish expedition to Everest dies in mountain accident in New Zealand

Richard O’Neill-Dean (70), originally from Stackallen, Co Meath, fell during a solo descent from the 2,875-metre summit of Mount D’Archiac in New Zealand’s southern alps.

After the alarm was raised last Sunday, his body was found and was then flown to Christchurch for a post-mortem examination.

He is survived by his wife Frida and daughters Esme and Julie.

The mountaineer and psychotherapist had many achievements to his credit, including playing a key role in supporting Dawson Stelfox’s ascent of Everest from Tibet on May 27, 1993.

His calm, considered and confident words gave great re-assurance – a watchful eye looking over us.

Paying tribute, Mr Stelfox described Mr O’Neill-Dean as a pioneering mountaineer who recorded first ascents of mountains in Patagonia, South America, and the Himalayas, and new rock climbs in Ireland.

“In more recent years, he recorded adventurous ski-mountaineering traverses the length of the rugged New Zealand Alps – his home since 1987,” he…

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Independent.ie