The father of the child who sparked changes to Northern Ireland's organ donation rules says the number of donors has increased and lives are being “saved” since new laws were introduced in 2023. .
Dicey's Law is named after Dicey Mac Govern, a seven-year-old Belfast boy who has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018.
The legislation means that most adults in Northern Ireland will be considered for potential organ donation after death, unless they actively opt out.
Stormont Department of Health said it was still too early to report on the impact of the Dicey Act as numbers would need to be monitored over several years.
But it has emerged that Northern Ireland recorded its highest ever number of organ donors last year.
There were 64 donors in 2023/24, compared to 59 in the previous year.
Although this increase was relatively small, these 64 donors helped save the lives of 158 people in need of organ transplants.
The first anniversary was celebrated on Saturday at an event at Belfast City Hall.
Daiti's father Martin Mac Govern, who led the campaign to pass the law, said his family was “delighted to know that lives are being saved” in Daithi's name.
“Every struggle, every setback, every up and down, every workout was worth it.
“We moved mountains,” he added.
