Irishman died in Birmingham - John Joseph Gill

I presume that's from a database without general access? ie, I can't search Sligo, Mayo etc for similar?

Says in the article that he was one of approx 9 children; presumably this holds some truth, so that record is not likely to our John J Gill.

Ah here - there is significant divergence between the RTE article and the IT one:

RTE: "I was told recently that he had no children and was never married, so we're looking for his siblings and we're trying to ensure that we meet the last wishes of John, and his family, in respect of how his funeral is dealt with," Mr Coxhead said.

IT: He was one of nine siblings and had four children of his own, say the council. Despite, presumably, having many living relatives, a public appeal in the UK and Ireland has received no response.

Anyway, the facts presented appear to be:

• His last known address was Whitehouse Common Road in Sutton Coldfield (City of Birmingham) (up to 2008, it seems).
• Mr Gill was born on August 31st, 1936 (seems definite)
• Is originally from Co Roscommon (no town mentioned).
• Mr Gill died in Orchard House (Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9JP ??) on November 25th, aged 86.
• He was one of nine siblings

Yes, funny life, isn't it.

"This is an Irishman abroad who could have ended up in a pauper's grave," he said. Ireland came together to grant his last wishes. That's key here in my small mind. 👍️