Probe after man ‘spits in plate of food’
Hero garda Shane, 29, donates his kidney to fiancee in life-saving gift
DINERS and staff were left horrified after a man spat in a plate of food while walking past a restaurant.
Gardai are investigating the incident, which was caught on CCTV outside the eaterie in Wexford at 1.40pm last Wednesday.
The restaurant, which asked not to be named, said they were disgusted with the random act.
Footage from the incident shows a man walk by an outside dining area and spit into a plate of food being brought to a table.
A Garda spokesperson said: “A woman in her 30s reported that a man spat at her. Investigations are ongoing.”
CO OFFALY YESTERDAY
Pair night before op
A WOMAN who was fighting to stay alive has received the gift of life from her garda fiance – after he gave her a kidney.
Shane Hunter, 29, from Athlone, Co Westmeath, was a perfect match for partner Briona Reynolds, who had suffered from kidney disease for five years.
Now, two weeks on from surgery and completing her thesis to become an art teacher, Briona, from Tubber, Co Offaly, opened up on her gruelling health battle.
The 28-year-old said:
“Since being diagnosed five years ago we watched as my kidney function decreased, knowing there was nothing we could do other than trying to delay the inevitable through medication and lifestyle and dietary changes.
“But my kidney function continued to decline to a point where treatment options were reduced to hospital dialysis treatment or the hope of getting a transplant.
“The past 10 months have probably been the most challenging, waiting for test results, watching my health decrease further and trying to complete my thesis while on dialysis.
“But after all the stress and disappointment, when Shane and I finally checked into Beaumont Hospital the evening before our operations, it all felt worth it and that everything was going to work out.
“I honestly don’t think it has fully sunk in yet that Shane has donated his kidney to me and I’ll never know how to fully thank him but I am so grateful we can finally move ahead with our lives.”
By February, Briona’s kidney function had almost fully declined and she had no option but to start haemodialysis treatment to stay alive. Both Shane and Briona’s Mum were a donor match but Shane was determined he should be the one to donate.
The couple, who met in 2009, were due to go ahead with surgery in February but complications pushed the appointment to March, which was then called off due to Covid-19.
The pair have turned their attention to marrying next year as Shane plans to return to work at Tullamore Garda station.
Speaking post-surgery, he joked his biggest concern now is what he’ll get his fiancee for her birthday after admitting “it’s hard to top a kidney”.
He added: “The transplant allows us to plan ahead and focus on what’s coming, like our wedding next year.” ■ Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306.
Shane and Briona
I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet and I’ll never know how to truly thank him BRIONA REYNOLDS