The brother of Cian Gallagher, who died after an unprovoked attack in 2022, said that it was a “really nice” way for him to continue to help people and donate his organs.
Gallagher was only 26 years old when he died after being attacked with Waterford tallow. His attacker was later forced to prison for murder.
“Cian was always helping people, that was him,” his brother Shane said at the start of Tuesday's Organ Donor Awareness Week.
“So, from the tragic circumstances, it is fitting that his final act was to continue to help people, save the lives of three, and improve their lives.”
He explained how people shared stories with their families, saying, “There were some lovely stories we didn't know about and came out online after he passed away.”
Cyan passed away at Cork University Hospital. “We wanted Cian to get better, but when we knew he wasn't, it was a pretty easy decision for us, we said, 'Yes, we're doing this,'” he said.
He urged everyone to learn about organ donation.
“It helped us 100%, it gives us real comfort, and if we're depressed, we can take a step back and say, 'Cian helped people,'” he said.
“Many people spend their lives and don't help as much as Cian did in one act.”
They received a letter from one recipient and he said: “It was lovely, it was really lovely, it really changed that person's life.”
Some people who received the organs spoke at the event.
Minnesota native Nick Hines has lived in Ireland for over 20 years with his Irish wife and family.
“Time is funny. 22 years looks good in some respects, but when you're told that time is going through, it seems like a flash,” he said.
It was a “amazing gift,” he said. It followed him and collapsed from an asymptomatic heart condition. He was more ill than ever before, so he was listed for transplants.
“I lived for three years with the knowledge that a rug can be pulled with a momentary notification. Every night, I will assess the day in detail while trying to sleep and consider the meaning of not waking up,” he said.
Hines was emotional as he thanked his donors and healthcare workers, saying, “Now, when it has a good day, I can thank my donor with joy.”
The event was hosted by the Irish Kidney Association and urged everyone to discuss becoming a donor with their families.
Dr. Brian O'Brien, clinical director of organ donation transplantation Ireland with HSE, said:
“Under future laws, living donations will become more feasible in Ireland.”
Last year, 263 organ transplants were performed for 84 dead donors and 30 live kidney donors.
Transplants included 175 kidney transplants, 53 liver transplants, 16 heart transplants, 15 lung transplants, and four pancreatic transplants.
Information on how to become a donor can be found here.
