Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Foreword: "we acknowledge that some of the men in this book are the subject of allegations of abuse. Some of these allegations remain untested because the accused person had already died before the allegation was made and there has been little evidence to draw upon. These have been indicated in the text with one asterisk."
O'Mahoney, Michael*

Teacher, pastor; born Co Tipperary, Ireland, 22 November 1905; died Melbourne, 28 July 1981, aged 75.

Michael O'Mahoney must have come from a pious family, as his brother, John, became a priest and a sister became a nun. Michael attended the local National school until he was 13 years old. Then he was educated by the Christian Brothers in Kilkenny, and by the Jesuits at Mungret College, Limerick, where he gained his matriculation. During the next three years he served his apprenticeship in a mixed business.

O'Mahoney entered the Society at Tullamore, 1 September 1927. He completed a home juniorate at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, in English, Irish, Latin, French, mathematics, history and geography. His philosophy studies were also completed at Tullamore. Immediately afterwards he was sent to Australia for regency, one year at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, and three and a half years at Xavier College, Kew. During those years he taught mathematics, history, and religion. He was also appointed rowing master and coach, and given charge of the junior debating society. He was also master of ceremonies, division prefect and football coach.

These years were followed by theology studies at Milltown Park, Dublin, and he was ordained, 31 July 1940. His tertianship followed immediately at Rathfarnham Castle. Instead of returning to Australia, O'Mahoney volunteered for service as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force during World War II. For the following three years he served on various RAF stations in England tending to the spiritual needs of the pilots.

From 1946-59 O'Mahoney once again took up teaching religion and mathematics at Xavier College, Kew. He was rowing coach from 1954-58, and in addition was a part-time chaplain with the RAAF.

In 1959 he was moved to St Ignatius' College, Norwood, where he taught religion and mathematics.

In 1971 he assumed a new role by joining the parish of Hawthorn. The following year he went to Sevenhill, and from 1973-80, was on the parish staff at Glenelg, South Australia. Over the last few years of his life, O'Mahoney did not enjoy good health. He joined the Xavier College community for his last years.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)