One of Many Casualties to TB Germ
Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 16:

b. Co. Tipperary 1865; ed. with Oblate Fathers in London and Inchicore; ord. 1888; served in Melb. Diocese (Williamstown, Clifton Hill, West Melb. where he died 2.10.1890; age 25.
Ref.: All Hallows Records (per F.D. Minogue, M.D.H.C.); Melb. Advocate 4.10.1890).

Death of the Rev. J. P. Ahern
Advocate, Melbourne, 4 October 1890, p 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168053420:

In the death of the Rev. John Patrick Ahern, which occurred on Thursday at St. Mary’s Presbytery, West Melbourne, the archdiocese has lost a very popular and most zealous young priest. The deceased gentleman had only been in the colony some three years, but during that period he proved himself an exceedingly valuable acquisition to the clerical strength of Melbourne.

Fr. Ahern was born in Cashel on St. Patrick's Day, 1865, but when he was yet very young his parents removed to Callan, in County Kilkenny, where he received his elementary education. In early life he entered the novitiate of the Oblate Fathers at Inchicore, and after spending some time there, was removed to the house of that congregation at Kilburn, London. Preferring the secular priesthood, he left the Oblate Fathers, and entered All Hallows', and afterwards Carlow College.

After a somewhat varied career he was finally ordained for the Archdiocese of Melbourne in Pentecost, 1888, when he was only twenty-three years of age. He arrived in Melbourne by the Ormuz, in company with the Rev. R. P. Collins, of Castlemaine, in 1888, and was first appointed to Williamstown, where he laboured assiduously for a considerable period, during which he made very many friends.

From Williamstown he was transferred to Clifton Hill, where he remained until, becoming seriously ill in the beginning of the year, he was granted a vacation, and with Fr. Collins, of Castlemaine, made a visit to New Zealand, from which he returned considerably improved. Some few months back it became apparent, however, that he was very far from being quite well, and, to the deep regret of his numerous friends, he gradually sank and died, as stated, on Thursday, at twenty minutes past 12 a.m., having received the consolations of religion at the hands of the Rev. G. Byrne, assisted by the Rev. P. J. Aylward, and his brother, Rev. P. W. Ahern.

On his return from New Zealand Fr. Ahern became the guest of Fr. Aylward at West Melbourne, and during the last weeks of his illness had the constant attendance of his brother, Fr. Ahern, of New Zealand, and was also visited by the Archbishop and numbers of his clerical and lay friends.

The deceased gentleman was of a quiet, retiring disposition, a true friend of the poor and unfortunate, and untiring in his efforts for the welfare of those under his care.

His many friends in all parts of the colony will deeply regret to hear of his death, and doubtless will attend in very large numbers the Solemn Office and Requiem Mass to be celebrated for the repose of his soul at St. Mary's, West Melbourne, at ten o'clock this (Saturday) morning. The funeral will take place immediately afterwards. R.I.P.