Gary Mark O'Brien (11 September 1964 – 30 April 2026), known professionally as Gary Lydon, was an Irish stage and screen actor. He played the role of Garda Peadar Kearney in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022).
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Early life
Born in London in 1964 to Irish parents Jimmy O'Brien and his wife Judy (nee Lydon) and growing up in Northolt, Lydon moved with his family to Wexford, Ireland, when he was nine.
As of November 2022, he was living in Leitrim.
Career
Lydon played Patrick Murray, the counsellor on RTÉ One's The Clinic, from 2003 to 2009, a role for which he won an IFTA for Best Supporting Actor in 2007. He also played Bomber in Pure Mule.
He performed on stage as Brendan in Borstal Boy and in Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman.
Family
Lydon had two sons, Seanluke O'Brien and James Doherty O'Brien. James appeared on stage in Of Mornington alongside his father.
Death
Lydon died suddenly on 30 April 2026 at his home in Shanballybawn, Co. Leitrim, aged 61. He is interred in Killeenan Cemetery, Cootehall.
Filmography
2000 Ordinary Decent Criminal – Tom Rooney
2002 Fergus's Wedding (TV Series) – Shay
2002 Sinners (TV Movie) – Patrick
2001–2002 On Home Ground (TV Series) – Cathal O'Connor
2004 Six Shooter (Short) – Chief Guard
2005 Boy Eats Girl – Garda Sergeant
2005 Pure Mule (TV Series) – Bomber Brennan
2006 Small Engine Repair – Big Eddy
2003–2009 The Clinic (TV Series) – Patrick Murray
2011 The Guard – Gerry Stanton
2011 Stella Days – Larry
2011 War Horse – Si Easton
2012 Shadow Dancer – Geoff
2014 Calvary – Inspector Stanton
2014 Love/Hate (TV Series) – Chief Superintendent
2014 The Guarantee – Brian Cowen
2015 The Hallow – Doyle
2015 Brooklyn – Mr. Farrell
2016 The Flag – Foley
2017 Striking Out (TV Series) – Judge Harrison
2020 Broken Law – Superintendent Byrne
