Colm Donnelly was only 18 years old when he died while working in a car on the farm. His parents gave the four a second chance in life by donating his liver and two kidneys in his lungs. They explain in the aftermath of the tragedy that “nothing else matters, they're just doing the right thing.”
Colm was 18 years old, who died from Tinnock near Gorey in Co Wexford. This year, organ donor awareness week will begin on Saturday, May 10th. What was his 21st birthday?
A livestock and machine enthusiast and rugby player, Colm was a central figure at his family's Friesian Dairy Farm in England.
He recently had a farm partnership with his father Walter, and was in the last few months of completing his certificate of evacuation.
Colm had clear ambitions. He completed his green certificate, continued farming from home, expanded his business, and grew the agricultural employment work business he began at the age of 16.
“Agriculture was his first choice. He loved cows, dogs and farming machines. He was very particular about his machinery and couldn't wait to get his license,” says Walter.
Colm and Walter on the farm
“He was a strong 6-foot-5-inch rugby player, but he was quiet in nature. He was popular with many friends.
“The teacher was great with him and put no pressure on him. The teachers knew he was making a move to get his leave certificate.
“They knew he wouldn't have a career in books, so they'd try to find an excuse to come back to the farm. He loved his job.
“When he obtained his interim license, Colum contacted the local farm contractor and worked with them during silage season.
“After signing a long day, it didn't matter if it was 10am or 2am, you'll hear them appear in the lanes and you'll hear them start to power wash.
“Agriculture was his first choice. He loved cows, dogs and farm machinery.”
But on February 9th, 2023, everything changed forever during family time.
That morning, “Things couldn't get better.” Colm's car passed the NCT that day, and the family made plans for a new calf shed and ordered a new zero-grazing machine to expand the dairy business.
After completing his normal job that night – milking cows were fed diet feeders, filled the next morning, fed the calves and put them to bed.
“I always told him, don't go under anything unless you have a block under it,” says Walter. “We have always been very aware of the safety of our farms, and we both took part in two farm safety courses.
“We were always careful. He had a block, a wedge and a trolley jack. He got underneath it, the car moved and Jack turned over him. That was enough to stop him from breathing.
“His phone was about two feet away from him and he had voice control about it. He said, 'Ring DA',' and the phone rang. I answered that. It was 10:36pm. We always answered the phone calls to each other.
Corum
“He just said, 'Da, da, da.' I knew something was wrong. I was still out in the garden so I rushed to the shed and although he was still moving there was no response.
“I called my neighbor on 10.38 and came as soon as possible with the trolley jack and said Colm was caught under the car. We knew we needed more help so it went 999 at 10.39.
“We got him out of the car within four minutes and started CPR on him, which was enough to keep him moving until the paramedics arrived.
“They worked in the shed for about an hour and in the ambulance before he was moved to St. Vincent University Hospital in Dublin.
“My sister Niam, a qualified nurse, arrived in Australia 10 days before the Colum accident and received a call to get home.
“The paramedics said things didn't look good from the start. When we went to St. Vincent, they said the same thing to us and they thought we should send to Niam. They were still doing tests and x-rays at COLM.
“We were in St. Vincent for six days. I wasn't thinking about the house. We were calving cattle, but our neighbors, relationships and friends took over the farm. They did everything they could to continue the farm.”
A few days after life support, the family was advised by the Medic that many damages had been caused that could not be reversed, and there was no hope of Korum's survival.
“The brain was damaged due to lack of oxygen. There was no return. He couldn't even survive the ventilator. It was an extraordinary accident.”
The family was very aware of organ donation as Colum and Niam's first cousin died on the waiting list for a lung transplant in 2014.
They also looked firsthand at the transformational benefits kidney transplants had on their families.
“We found out their lives have changed. Louise, Niam and I talked about organ donation,” says Walter.
Colm at home
“We need to have an organ donation conversation before turning off the machine, because we need to line up the recipients, put them in the hospital and make sure they are healthy.
“Colum is very healthy in every other way and it seemed like such a shame not to use his organs. We suggested it to the doctor and they came back saying there were multiple organs that could be used, so we chose to donate the organs.
“We donated four of his organs: two kidneys, his liver and one of his lungs. His heart valves go to store and can be stored for up to five years.
“His brain went for research. The doctor asked us.”
Walter says it was a “miracle” that Colm lived until he reached St. Vincent's hospital, and the family is grateful for all the opportunities he has come.
“It's great to know someone else is doing well. His kidneys went straight to two people. His liver went to another person, his lungs went to another person.
“We had anonymous communication from the recipient of Colm's organs. Colm's Organs wrote to us via the transplant coordinator. This person is not the only one. They have a young family and are very grateful.
“It's great to be able to do that. We're just part of the team. We have the first responders, doctors, firefighters, gardais, coordinators and staff at St. Vincent's ICU.
“Organ donation is the difference between life and death of a recipient. There is no regret.
“Organ donation is the difference between life and death of a recipient.”
“It's amazing how your body can embrace tragedy. You just kick in and survival goes in there. Nothing else matters, you only do the right thing.
“If tragedy happens again, there's nothing we can change, and that was the right thing to do.
“We encourage everyone who can get an organ donor card. It's the best way to turn tragedy into something positive.”
Walter, Louise and Niam are blood donors and collectively donate 100 units of blood.
“Colm would have grown up with that. Louise first started giving blood. I didn't start until I got married. She was in. I went with her. I have a rare blood type and I abandon my blood up to four times a year. We've been married for 30 years.”
His work on the farm continues, and Walter feels that being busy and outdoors helped him.
“Farms are lifesavers and sources of comfort, but they are also a very sad place,” he says. “The cows have to milk, you have to stand up and do it.
“We didn't go ahead with the expansion plan, but maybe we'll do that this year, which is something he wants to do because he was so passionate about it.
“We just keep going on the farm because that's what he wants, and we just keep going because it won't be easy if you stop it.
Colm's sister Niam is a thankful recipient with Rose Hart, from Greystones, Koroscon, on memory of the Irish Kidney Association and thanksgiving organ donors and thanksgiving services. Photo: Conor McCabe
“For others who are going through the grieving process, I say I get up every day, make plans, do something and go out in the fresh air.
“Every day isn't going to be a good day, but you're better off doing something than sitting inside. We have great family, friends and neighbors.”
In honor of Korum, family, friends and neighbors organized a memorial tractor run that attracted 1,200 vehicles and raised 57,500 euros for four causes. The funds were split between ICUs at St. Vincent Hospital, Gorey District Hospital, and Kiranellin National School (which opened the library under the name of Colm), and Gorey Community School, which hosts the annual fun walk and runs through his memory to create a memorial garden.
“Colm was very special. We love talking about him and he will never forget. May 10th and February 14th are special days for us,” says Walter.
Organ Donor Awareness Week will be held between May 10th and May 17th.
