DONOR APPEAL DAD’S FINAL TRIP TO BEACH
Tragic Ian will be laid to rest today
A TRAGIC heart transplant patient got his final wish of going to the beach with his family before he died.
Dad-of-one Ian O’doherty, 47, will be laid to rest today, just weeks after he appealed to people to carry an organ donor card.
The Limerick man, who was born with a heart defect, began suffering heart attacks from the age of just 26 and was admitted to the Mater Hospital in Dublin last summer after years of deteriorating health.
A heart attack just a few weeks ago was almost fatal, but his life was saved by the Mater’s coronary care doctors, who fought for 40 minutes to revive him.
Ian, who worked at Limerick’s Banta plant, survived that medical emergency and urged people to get a donor card as part of an Irish Kidney Association campaign.
He said on June 13: “I dream every night about being better with a new heart.
“The first thing I’d do with a new heart is go to the beach, touch the sand, and put my feet into the water.”
Ian sadly did not get a new heart, and died last Tuesday, but his family did take him to the beach just before he passed.
The IKA posted: “We are all so sorry to hear of the passing of Ian O’doherty.
“He made such a strong impression on us here at the IKA and showed such strength, resilience and generosity. Ian’s final wish was to visit the beach after a year spent in hospital, and as you can see from the photos sent on by his family, he made that trip recently.
“Our thoughts are with Ava, Helen and the rest of his family at this time.”
Ian’s loving daughter Ava, 19, a Limerick University student, and her mum Helen will be comforted today at his funeral in Monaleen Church in Castletroy, Co Limerick, during 12pm Requiem Mass followed by a Cremation Service at Shannon Crematorium.
A family notice said: “Ian died peacefully in the loving care of the staff of the Mater Hospital Dublin, after an illness borne with great courage.
“Sadly missed by his loving daughter Ava and her mum Helen.”