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'''Denis O'Brien''' (born 19 April 1958) is an Irish billionaire businessman, and the founder and owner of [[Digicel]].<ref name="Flair" /><ref name="Malta">{{Cite web|title=The rules of attraction|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/The-rules-of-attraction.593700|access-date=14 October 2020|website=Times of Malta|date=27 November 2015 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He was listed among the World's Top 200 Billionaires in 2015 and was Ireland's richest native-born citizen for several years.<ref name="Malta" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Forbes' rich list names five Irish billionaires|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/forbes-rich-list-names-five-irish-billionaires-31034976.html|access-date=14 October 2020|website=independent|date=3 March 2015 |language=en}}</ref> His business interests have also extended to aircraft leasing ([[Aergo Capital]]), utilities support ([[Actavo]]), petroleum ([[Topaz Energy]]), [[Association football|football]] (a minority shareholder of [[Celtic F.C.]]), and healthcare ([[Beacon Hospital]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molloy |first=Tom |title=Businessman Denis O'Brien takes control of Beacon Hospital |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/businessman-denis-obrien-takes-control-of-beacon-hospital-30163314.html |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=7 April 2014 |accessdate=28 March 2021}}</ref>). As former chairman of the [[Esat Digifone]] consortium, O'Brien was questioned by the [[Moriarty Tribunal]], which investigated the awarding of a mobile phone licence to Esat, among other things.
In 2021, O'Brien sold his stake in Communicorp<ref>{{Cite
== Early life ==
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In 2001, O'Brien founded Digicel, a telecom company that operates in the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]], and [[Asia-Pacific|Asia Pacific]]. Using the cash from his sale of Esat Telecom, O'Brien used Digicel to build a wireless network in Jamaica.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2006-08-27-digicel_x.htm|title=Digicel makes cellphone connection in Jamaica |website=USA TODAY |date=2006-08-27 |first1=Leslie |last1=Cauley |access-date=11 December 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211194245/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2006-08-27-digicel_x.htm |archive-date= 11 December 2019 }}</ref> That same year, Digicel expanded into the South Pacific. As of 2022, Digicel operates in 25 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2022 |title=Digicel completes sale of US$1.85 billion Pacific business to Telstra |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2022/07/14/digicel-completes-sale-of-of-us1-85-billion-pacific-business-to-telstra/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Digital TV Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Along with Digicel, O'Brien created the Digicel Foundation, which has worked with local organizations to develop community services, build schools and health centers, and support recovery efforts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-website-pays-tribute-to-obrien-charitable-work-hz395m8sq|title=New website pays tribute to O'Brien charitable work|last=Tighe|first=Mark|date=29 July 2018|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=11 December 2019|language=en|issn=0956-1382}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/education/denis-o-brien-s-digicel-foundation-opens-its-174th-school-in-haiti|title=Denis O'Brien's Digicel Foundation opens 174th school in Haiti|date=3 February 2018|website=IrishCentral.com|language=en|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> After the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], O'Brien pledged €3.5 million to assist recovery efforts.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Patricia|last1=McDonagh|first2=Jason|last2=O'Brien|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/obrien-pledges-836435m-as-charities-plead-for-money-2013043.html|title=O'Brien pledges €3.5m as charities plead for money|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Denis O'Brien|date=14 January 2010|access-date=14 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="Clinton">{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/obrien-receives-prestigious-award-from-clinton-28814011.html|title=O'Brien receives prestigious award from Clinton|website=Independent.ie|date=26 September 2012 |language=en|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> In 2012, President [[Michel Martelly]] of Haiti awarded O'Brien with the [[National Order of Honour and Merit]] for his investments, contributions and promotion of the country,<ref name="O'Brien Honoured In Haiti">{{cite news|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110629/business/business2.html|title=O'Brien Honoured In Haiti|date=11 June 2011|newspaper=Jamaica Gleaner|access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> and in 2015, O'Brien received honorary membership of the [[Order of Jamaica]] for his service to the country's telecommunications industry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/a-juicy-award-for-embattled-denis-o-brien-1.2316155|title=A juicy award for embattled Denis O'Brien|last=Paul|first=Mark|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
In May 2020, Digicel filed for bankruptcy court reorganization and successfully sought a [[debt restructuring]] agreement.<ref name="Digicel bankruptcy">{{Cite web |title=Caribbean telecom provider Digicel files for bankruptcy |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/caribbean-telecom-provider-digicel-files-bankruptcy-70774525 |access-date=7 June 2021 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> A debt exchange was approved by the company's bondholders and took place in June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 June 2020|title=Digicel Group to finalise debt swap after court approval|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20200618/digicel-group-finalise-debt-swap-after-court-approval|access-date=7 June 2021|website=jamaica-gleaner.com|language=en}}</ref> As part of the exchange, O'Brien agreed to contribute $50 million of assets to Digicel, including $25 million in cash and the company's Jamaican headquarters.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brennan|first=Joe|title=O'Brien may pull off $1.7bn Digicel debt write-off – but at what cost?|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/o-brien-may-pull-off-1-7bn-digicel-debt-write-off-but-at-what-cost-1.4220151|access-date=7 June 2021|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref>
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In 2012, O'Brien purchased Siteserv, a utilities support company, from [[Irish Bank Resolution Corporation|IBRC]] for €45m; in 2015, the company was renamed Actavo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/siteserv-rebrands-in-euro1bn-sales-drive-rpqmd7t79l0|title=Siteserv rebrands in €1bn sales drive|first=Gavin|last=Daly|date=18 October 2015|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}</ref> Actavo was bought and controlled through O'Brien's firm Millington on the Isle of Man.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/millington-just-one-of-many-manx-companies-used-by-denis-o-brien-1.2187040|title=Millington: just one of many Manx companies used by Denis O'Brien|last=Paul|first=Mark|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
In 2016, Actavo expanded into the United States through the purchase of Atlantic Engineering Services, a structural engineering firm.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/actavo-expands-into-us-with-aes-acquisition-34558481.html|title=Actavo expands into US with AES acquisition|website=Independent.ie|date=21 March 2016 |language=en|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> Actavo was also involved in the installation of fibre networks for Digicel in the Caribbean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/forget-about-irish-water-actavo-networks-boss-says-his-eye-is-on-breaking-america-34727387.html|title=Forget about Irish Water, Actavo Network's boss says his eye is on breaking America|website=Independent.ie|date=19 May 2016 |language=en|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
====Topaz Energy====
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In 1997, the Moriarty Tribunal was established to look into allegations against two Irish politicians, [[Charles Haughey]] and [[Michael Lowry (politician)|Michael Lowry]].<ref name="Tribunal findings">{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/editorial/the-moriarty-tribunal--findings-are-a-challenge-to-us-all-149044.html|title=The Moriarty Tribunal – Findings are a challenge to us all|date=23 March 2011|website=www.irishexaminer.com|language=en|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> After 14 years, the Tribunal's final report found, among other things, that Lowry, Ireland's then energy and communications minister, assisted O'Brien in his bid to secure a mobile phone contract for Esat Digifone.<ref name="Tribunal findings" /> The tribunal found that this happened after [[Fine Gael]] received a $50,000 donation from O'Brien via a circuitous route, although the tribunal also acknowledged that the money was not intended as a payment. However, because the Tribunal was not a court of law, its findings were legally "sterile".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sterile-status-of-inquiries-begs-question-of-their-justification-1.600397|title='Sterile' status of inquiries begs question of their justification|last=Coulter|first=Carol|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref>
In 2018, Michael Lowry won an appeal over the Moriarty Tribunal's legal costs. The appeal judges awarded Lowry 80% of his costs for the legal battle.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Michael Lowry wins appeal over Moriarty Tribunal legal costs |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/michael-lowry-wins-appeal-over-moriarty-tribunal-legal-costs-1.3428470 |access-date=13 October 2022 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2018 |title=Michael Lowry avoids most of tribunal case costs – Extra.ie |url=https://extra.ie/2018/03/23/news/politics/michael-lowry-tribunal-case-costs |access-date=13 October 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> That same year, the High Court ruled that the State was not entitled to indemnity and contribution from O'Brien's telecommunications company regarding any loss that might arise from the granting of the country's second mobile phone licence in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2018 |title=State not entitled to indemnity from BT over Declan Ganley's action on mobile licence |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30859068.html |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Judge rules out State indemnity over mobile licence award |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/judge-rules-out-state-indemnity-over-mobile-licence-award-37172996.html |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=independent |date=August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, the High Court upheld the 2018 ruling after the State attempted to appeal it. Three judges unanimously dismissed the appeal and stated that O'Brien's telecommunications company was entitled to the legal costs of the appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Court upholds indemnity decision on legal action over second mobile phone licence |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/business/court-upholds-indemnity-decision-on-legal-action-over-second-mobile-phone-licence-1222296.html |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=BreakingNews.ie |date=December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Faolain |first=Aodhan O. |title=Court upholds indemnity ruling on legal action over country's second mobile phone licence |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/court-of-appeal-state-not-entitled-to-contribution-action-over-mobile-phone-licence-5617517-Dec2021/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=TheJournal.ie |date=December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=State fails to put BT on hook over mobile licence |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/state-fails-to-put-bt-on-hook-over-mobile-licence-41109210.html |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=independent |date=2 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
[[Sam Smyth]], a radio show host that aired on one of O'Brien's networks, claimed he was fired as a result of his reporting on the Moriarty Tribunal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/today-fms-sam-smyth-changes-topic-during-discussion-about-his-own-sacking-255216-Oct2011/|title=Today FM's Smyth changes topic during discussion about his own sacking|date=16 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305151315/http://www.thejournal.ie/today-fms-sam-smyth-changes-topic-during-discussion-about-his-own-sacking-255216-Oct2011/|archive-date=5 March 2015|publisher=thejournal.ie}}</ref> Today FM responded to the claim, stating that "the decision was made to address a decline in listenership and was part of an initiative to improve programming quality." The Today FM board supported the decision, which was one of several programming changes made by Willy O'Reilly.<ref>{{cite news|first=Charlie|last=Taylor|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1016/breaking9.html|title=Smyth show to end on Today FM|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=16 October 2011|access-date=16 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305160530/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/smyth-show-to-end-on-today-fm-1.885361|archive-date=5 March 2015}}</ref>
==Relationship with the media==
In 2012, O'Brien threatened to sue journalist and broadcaster [[Vincent Browne]] over statements in Browne's articles that O'Brien claimed were defamatory.<ref name="Libel threat">{{cite news |last=Kealy |first=Willie |date=5 August 2012 |title=Denis O'Brien makes personal libel threat to Vincent Browne |newspaper=Sunday Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/denis-obrien-makes-personal-libel-threat-to-vincent-browne-26883578.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Denis O'Brien makes personal libel threat to Vincent Browne|date=5 August 2012 |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/denis-obrien-makes-personal-libel-threat-to-vincent-browne-26883578.html}}</ref>
In February 2013, O'Brien sued the ''[[Irish Daily Mail]]'' for defamation over his numerous appearances in [[RTÉ]] news reports on the relief effort after the Haiti earthquake. The court awarded O'Brien €150,000.<ref>{{cite news|first=Fiona|last=Gartland|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0214/breaking46.html|title=O'Brien awarded €150k in Daily Mail defamation case|newspaper=The Irish Times|publisher=Irish Times Trust|date=14 February 2013|access-date=14 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305161526/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/o-brien-awarded-150k-in-daily-mail-defamation-case-1.1255054|archive-date=5 March 2015}}</ref> The case was the first time a journalist had attempted to use the honest opinion defence before a jury at the High Court since the Defamation Act 2009 became law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0214/367770-defamation-denis-obrien/|title=Denis O'Brien wins defamation case against Irish Daily Mail|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=14 February 2013|access-date=14 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305161225/http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0214/367770-defamation-denis-obrien/|archive-date=5 March 2015}}</ref>
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On 10 June 2015, a [[Commission of investigation (Ireland)|Commission of investigation]] was established to inquire into IBRC transactions that lost €10 million or more between 21 January 2009 and 7 February 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ryan|first=Órla|title=After several rows, Sinn Féin votes against IBRC inquiry – but it's still happening|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/ibrc-debate-dail-2152893-Jun2015/|access-date=14 October 2020|website=TheJournal.ie|date=10 June 2015 |language=en}}</ref> The commission was initially chaired by retired High Court Judge [[Daniel O'Keeffe (judge)|Daniel O'Keeffe]], but in July 2015, Judge Brian Cregan replaced Judge O'Keeffe as the commission's chair and sole member.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McDonal|first=Dearbhail|date=9 September 2015|title=Family first as High Court president to retire early|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/family-first-as-high-court-president-to-retire-early-31515664.html|access-date=14 October 2020|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> The terms of the commission were updated in 2016 to focus first on IBRC's sale of Siteserv to O'Brien in 2012, based on claims by TD Catherine Murphy in the [[Dáil Éireann|Daíl Éireann]]; Murphy was asked to appear before the commission in February 2019, several months after criticising the amount of time it had taken the commission to complete its inquiry, but as of May 2019, she had not made herself available for testimony.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carswell|first=Simon|date=11 May 2019|title=Siteserv inquiry seeks to compel Catherine Murphy to appear over deal claims|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/siteserv-inquiry-seeks-to-compel-catherine-murphy-to-appear-over-deal-claims-1.3888210|access-date=14 October 2020|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=McGee|first=Harry|title=TD who raised issue of Siteserv sale to Dáil criticises inquiry's progress|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/td-who-raised-issue-of-siteserv-sale-to-d%C3%A1il-criticises-inquiry-s-progress-1.3733425|access-date=14 October 2020|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref> In November 2019, Murphy announced that she would not appear before the commission because she was concerned that she would be required to reveal the source of her information.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Horgan-Jones|first=Jack|title=Catherine Murphy will not appear at Siteserv inquiry|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/catherine-murphy-will-not-appear-at-siteserv-inquiry-1.4091192|access-date=7 June 2021|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref>
In September 2022, the commission released its final report on its investigation into the sale of Siteserv. The report stated that while the sale was "carried out in good faith," it was "based on misleading and incomplete information." However, the report went on to say that there was no evidence that O'Brien received favourable interest rates from the bank, as alleged by Catherine Murphy. It also stated that O'Brien was not at fault for going on a trip with Robert Dix, and there was no evidence to support the claim that O'Brien had an unduly close or unethical relationship with senior IBRC executives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phelan |first=PAUL HOSFORD and Ciara |date=7 September 2022 |title=Siteserv sale carried out 'in good faith' but based on 'misleading and incomplete information' |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40956572.html |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2022 |title=Report finds Siteserv deal 'tainted by impropriety' |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0907/1321043-siteserv-commission-of-inquiry/ |language=en}}</ref>
==Recognition==
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==Personal life==
In August 1997, O'Brien married Catherine Walsh, who helped Communicorp expand into the Czech Republic and who earlier was the head of marketing for Independent Radio Sales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/the-man-who-makes-millionaires-26126345.html|title=The man who makes millionaires|website=independent|date=15 January 2000 |language=en|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> The couple have four children.<ref name="Flair" /> One of his three sisters is the artist [[Abigail O'Brien]], President of Irish arts body, the [[Royal Hibernian Academy]], for 2018–2023.<ref name="Phoenix_Nov18">{{cite news |title=High Society – Abigail O'Brien's election |work=[[The Phoenix (magazine)|The Phoenix]] |issue=November 2018 |date=1 November 2018}}</ref>
=== Sponsorships and causes===
In June 2000, O'Brien set up the Iris O'Brien Foundation, named after his mother, through which he coordinates many of his philanthropic efforts,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/questioning-o-brien-s-charity-motives-clearly-rankles-1.2810940|title=Questioning O'Brien's charity motives clearly rankles|last=Murtagh|first=Peter|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/04/03/obrien-foundation-gave-e5-5-million-last-year/|title=O'Brien foundation gave €5.5 million last year|last=Lake|first=Howard|date=3 April 2017|website=UK Fundraising|language=en-GB|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> and has supported multiple charities and campaign groups, including the human rights group ''Front Line Defenders''.<ref name="DOB_sr_funeral_IT" /> Front Line Defenders was co-founded by O'Brien in 2001, to help protect human rights defenders globally, and O'Brien remains its chairman {{as of|2021|lc=y}}.<ref name="FLD_BoD_DOB">{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/board-directors |website=Front Line Defenders |date=24 October 2018 |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>
O'Brien supported the [[2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games]], for which he was the chairman of the Games Organising Committee and later the Chairman of the Council of Patrons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=O'Brien sports Special Olympics deal|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/obrien-sports-special-olympics-deal-26110522.html|access-date=6 July 2020|website=independent|date=31 July 2000 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Council of Patrons|url=https://www.specialolympics.ie/WHOWEARE/COUNCILOFPATRONS.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601172309/https://www.specialolympics.ie/WHOWEARE/COUNCILOFPATRONS.aspx|archive-date=1 June 2015|publisher=Special Olympics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=25 April 2012|title=Denis O'Brien, a billionaire with a mission not just to make money-- Irish businessman praised by Clinton, NY Times, seeks to make a difference|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/denis-obrien-a-billionaire-with-a-mission-not-just-to-make-money-irish-businessman-praised-by-clinton-ny-times-seeks-to-make-a-difference-148850615-238129401.html|access-date=6 July 2020|website=Irish Central|language=en}}</ref> In 2004, O'Brien helped to establish the Digicel Foundation, which has funded thousands of projects in the Caribbean and Pacific.<ref name="FLD_BoD_DOB"/>
As of 2012, O'Brien was a member of the United States board of [[Concern Worldwide]], a humanitarian aid organisation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 December 2012|title=Irish Power and Irish Concern: Denis O'Brien|url=https://irishamerica.com/2012/12/irish-power-and-irish-concern-denis-obrien/|access-date=6 July 2020|website=Irish America|language=en-US}}</ref> O'Brien has worked with the [[Clinton Global Initiative]] (CGI). After [[2010 Haiti earthquake|the 2010 Haiti earthquake]], O'Brien worked with CGI's Haiti Action Network and the Digicel Haiti Foundation to help rebuild the [[Marché en Fer|Iron Market]] in [[Port-au-Prince]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Strom|first=Stephanie|date=6 January 2012|title=A Billionaire Lends Haiti a Hand|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/business/digicels-denis-obrien-helps-rebuild-haiti.html|access-date=6 July 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="19022010 Silicon Republic">{{cite news|date=19 February 2010|title=Haiti names Denis O'Brien goodwill ambassador|publisher=Silicon Republic|url=http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/15316/comms/haiti-names-obrien-goodwill-ambassador|url-status=dead|access-date=19 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224233933/http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/15316/comms/haiti-names-obrien-goodwill-ambassador|archive-date=24 February 2010}}</ref> In 2010, O'Brien was named a [[goodwill ambassador]] for the city of [[Port-au-Prince]], [[Haiti]], by Mayor [[Jean Yves Jason]], who cited O'Brien's help with disaster recovery efforts after the earthquake.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 February 2010|title=Haitian honour for Digicel boss|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100219/lead/lead4.html|access-date=25 February 2020|website=jamaica-gleaner.com|language=en}}</ref> In 2012, O'Brien received a Clinton Global Citizen Award from former U.S. President Bill Clinton, in large part due to his disaster relief efforts in Haiti.<ref name="Clinton" /> He also contributed to building 50 primary and secondary schools in the 18 months following the earthquake.<ref name="O'Brien Honoured In Haiti" /><ref name="Irish Central">{{cite web|date=8 June 2015|editor=O'Shea, James|title=Clinton's close friend Denis O'Brien battles massive criticism in Ireland|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/Clintons-close-friend-Denis-OBrien-battles-massive-criticism-in-Ireland.html|access-date=14 March 2016|publisher=Irish Central}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Padgett|first=Tim|date=9 August 2010|title=Answering the Call|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2007286,00.html|access-date=6 July 2020|issn=0040-781X}}</ref> In September 2016, then [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] sent a campaign email criticising Hillary Clinton's relationship with O'Brien, about which O'Brien declined to comment.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 September 2016|title=Trump attacks Clinton over links to O'Brien|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0928/820019-trump-clinton-obrien/|website=RTE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Carroll|first=Sinead|title=Donald Trump has launched an attack on Hillary Clinton over her links to Denis O'Brien|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/denis-obrien-donald-trump-3001305-Sep2016/|access-date=6 July 2020|website=TheJournal.ie|date=29 September 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
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