Seamus O'Reily

Seamus O'Reily is a fictional character on the HBO prison drama, "Oz", played by Kevin Conway.

Character overview

"Prisoner #03P138. Convicted June 4, 1996 - Murder in the first degree. Sentence: 34 years, up for parole in 16."

He is the father of inmates Ryan and Cyril O'Reily. Seamus is an alcoholic who abused his sons physically and emotionally when they were growing up. He is later convicted of murder and sentenced to OZ during its final season.

eason 3

Seamus is first seen at Season 3, during the Boxing Matches between inmates. Ryan calls Seamus to an "urgent visit". When he discovers that Cyril is boxing, Seamus starts mocking him. When Cyril asks him to stop, Seamus slaps him. During the fight between Cyril and Muslim leader Hamid Khan, Ryan orders Cyril to imagine that Khan is Seamus. Cyril flies into a rage and knocks Khan out, causing cerebral damage that throws Khan into a coma.

eason 4

Seamus visits Ryan and confirms that Suzanne Fitzgerald is indeed Ryan's mother.

eason 5

In Season 5, it is revealed that Ryan and Cyril are only half brothers and Ryan meets his biological mother, Suzanne Fitzgerald, who also grows close to Cyril, despite having no relationship to him. It is also revealed that Ryan had a sister, and as a child witnessed Seamus shaking her to death. Following Father Daniel Meehan's advice, Ryan finally confronts his father about this and vows to kill him if he ever leaves Oz.

eason 6

In Season 6, Seamus himself is arrested and comes to Oz. Jealous about the relashionship between inmate Jahfree Neema and his ex-girlfriend Suzanne Fitzgerald, Seamus asks Aryan leader Vernon Schillinger to kill Neema. Schillinger declines, and Seamus tries to do it himself. In the delivery room, Seamus tries to stab Neema, but he is stabbed instead. In the hospital, Seamus refuses want to see Cyril before his execution. When he decides he wants to see the son, it is too late. Seamus begs his living son for forgiveness which, surprisingly, he receives.