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RORY DOHERTY WAS 19-years-old when he signed up to become an organ donor.
Nine months ago, at the age of 33, he died following a work accident and at the hospital staff asked his family would they donate his organs.
His sister Ailbhe said the family “knew without doubt exactly what we would do”. “For a family it is a devastating moment because not only were we losing someone we love, but we were also losing a best friend, father, son, brother and partner,” she explained.
“There is no doubt that the pain was unbearable but knowing that this was what Rory would have wanted and that something so amazing and positive could come out of what had happened we said ‘yes’ to donating his organs”.
She said she is “so incredibly proud” to think her brother was one of the 86 people last year who gave a lifeline to others.
“Rory saved five people’s lives, one recipient received his kidney and pancreas, the second recipient received his other kidney, we know his liver went to the third recipient and both his lungs went to a young person and finally his lovely heart went to England.”
Rory was such a unique character and so many people have said that it was a pity we couldn’t donate his funny bone. He had the ability not only to make people laugh uncontrollably but also knew how to put a smile on your face when you were feeling down, he cared about everyone. There are not enough words to describe just how proud I am of him, in life and in death – he was a legend.
Doherty said it gives her family comfort to know that Rory lives on and she now “wouldn’t be without” her donor card. As this week is Organ Donor Awareness Week and she said she would urge everyone to sign up for a card.
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Let me guess…. They have learned some important lessons but no one is directly responsible?
@Seth Cheffetz: it was a system failure. That’s what we’ll be told. No one checked what was in the hundreds of brown envelopes. The beautiful areas of Donegal were permanently blighted with indiscriminate building. Nothing to see here.
@Seth Cheffetz: all counties have been effected by un educated councillors & corrupt politicians. In co Kerry the landscape of north kerry changed with the stroke of a pen to an area of no scenic beauty. E.g. Ballybunion according to Kcc LCA .
“Is the landscape important for scenery, tourism or recreation? ” “No” .
When councillors were confronted on matter & why they changed the cdp , one comment was “we didn’t realise what we were doing, we must have been asleep on it ”
A lot of unanswered questions & needs a serious investigation.
Is the absolutely nowhere left in this country untouched by corruption?
@Ronan Sexton: *is there
@Ronan Sexton: it would appear not. And it’s never anyone’s fault. So depressing.
It’s amazing how they can use dodgy and planning in the same line on a report, and you can be guaranteed no one will be held accountable, great country to do business in.
Political interference in such matters should be an offense with proper consequences.
It really is a form of corruption where votes are bought for breaking of protective rules.
In Donegal nothing surprises me, just look at the planning disaster around Bundoran.
Donegal is to Dublin ,as Sicily is to Rome ,a distant place all right for a visit ,but not interested in solving its Corruption problems,it will take a long time before any politician addresses this problem
Visited Donegal a few years ago and was appalled at the blight of one-off housing in many many parts of the county destroying the natural beauty of the area. Clare and Kerry seem to be going the same way too. Its a huge pity
@Daniel Dunne: it’s happening everywhere. Councils are still suffering funding shortages are happy to the thousands they get everytime a one off house is built. It also helps the housing crisis. It will be years before this one off building stops again.
@Daniel Dunne: oh dear did it ruin for view for an hour or so. You do realise people own that land and as far as I’m concerned they should be allowed do as they wish within reason with that land.
Just blame Sinn Fein, sure aren’t they blamed for everything else!
@Paul Mc: Well in fairness that’s one SF are good at. Planning permission was originally turned for my house. We contacted all our local councillors and in fairness it was the local SF guy who stepped forward and worked with us and the council to get the decision overturned. I’m not a big fan of SF overall policies but I will always give that guy my number one because only for him it’s doubtful I’d be living in such a beautiful setting. He really knew his stuff.
@mickmc: I know of a similar case some years ago near where we live, the guy was turned down by the planner to build a house so he got councillors to push it for him. Little did he know why, until he got flooded out as the lake waters came into his house.
@Chris Kirk: oh indeed. No fear of that happening here. I live on the top of a hill. It was more the design of our windows the planner didn’t like as oppose to the house itself. To be fair the planners and the councilor seem to have a good working relationship.
Its
Nod and a wink and whatever your having yourself.
A great way to run a country.
Standards are so low in this country it is frightening.
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