Michael Mills

Michael Mills (31 October 1927 – 13 April 2008) was an Irish journalist who served as Ireland's first Ombudsman for two terms beginning in 1984. He retired from the office in 1994. He initially trained to become a Passionist priest. to take a junior reporter job with the People newspaper group in Wexford.

In 1983, Mills was nominated by the government as Ireland's first Ombudsman, taking office in January 1984. During his two terms in office, Mills investigated complaints from the public about local authorities, government departments and health boards.

Mills, who lived in Templeogue, died at the age of 80 on 13 April 2008, after a short illness. He was survived by his wife, Bríd, and eight children.

Tributes poured in from across Ireland on the news of his death. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern called him a respected public servant and one of Ireland's finest journalists. Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly said that Mills laid the groundwork for the future and growth of the office she then occupied. Tributes were also paid by the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Children's Rights Alliance.

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