Mahoney has him as J O'Neill of Connaught Rangers. He appears to have been born in Dublin, but emigrated to USA and then returned to enlist. Correct service no from the Roll
1882/3 Aug. Born Roll says Abbeyleix and next of kin a brother in Boston, Mass. A birth about then ties with the 1911 census data put in by the army. However the closest Irish Registered birth in Abbeyleix is 1887. But as both the Roll Book and the 1911 census say Abbeyleix, I assume that is the correct man.
1905 enlists as 8441 Private P O'Neill, Georges St, Chicago, USA . On a list of 2nd Connaught Rangers men sent to Zossen, only the Irish Brigade were transferred there. 8441 points to an enlistment date in mid 1905
1911 census for the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers in Gough Barracks, Ferozepore, Punjab, India. There is a Private Patrick O'Neill, Single, age 30 therefore born 1881 Abbeyleix, Queens Co. And also a Patrick O'Neill born circa 1882 Dublin.
Keogh has him down as John O'Neill of Dublin. Private Patrick O'Neill, Single, age 29 so born circa 1882 Dublin, Co Dublin,
also on the 1911 Census also with the 1st Battalion in Gough Barracks, Ferozepore, Punjab, India. On balance one has to assume the Dublin man is our man.
1914 August 14 lands in France and is soon captured. Sent to Limburg, where he joins Irish Brigade and gets transferred to Zossen
1915 July transfers to Zossen
1915 Dec. He does not volunteer for Egypt
1915 Oct 25. In answer to a question, gave his Ireland address as Elsaville, Harolds Cross, Dublin.
1916 Jul transfers to Danzig
1918 Dec. Arrested by the provost marshall and shipped back from Danzig to England with Meade . They were put on board a British warship and taken back to London The Provost-Marshall only ever did suceed in capturing the two of them, and gave up looking after another 3 days searching. The ship put to sea, and they had to change into marines uniforms, from which badges and buttons had been removed. On arrival in London, they were marched under a heavy escort of some 300 men, to the Tower of London. Meade believes the escort was to protect them from a London mob if people knew who he and O'Neill were. After 2 weeks in the cells they were coutrt martialed for treason and sentenced to death. They then spent a further 2 weeks awaiting execution, but at that point they received a King's Pardon and a short time later were sent home, Meade to Elton, Co Limerick, and O'Neill to Dublin. I can find no trace of O'Neill after that time.
1922 May 8. It is possible that he returned to USA A Patrick O'Neill, b1882, married, resident Dublin, Ireland arrived on the Baltic in New York and processed at Ellis Island. He was born in Dublin and givers his trade as a butcher. His wife is Margaret O'Neill of 5 Watkins Buildings, Coombe, Dublin