Dáithí Mac Gabhann leaves hospital after heart transplant

A nine-year-old boy who inspired changes to Northern Ireland's organ donation laws has left hospital after receiving a heart transplant after an eight-year wait.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning the left side of his heart did not form correctly.

He received a transplant in July with the family saying they are "beyond grateful" to the donor.

On social media, the family said Dáithí left today with "the greatest gift of all - the gift of life, the gift of a new heart".

The operation was carried out at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne

His father Máirtín Mac Gabhann had said the experience had been a rollercoaster of a few weeks "but luckily for us, our Dáithí loves a good rollercoaster".

Two weeks later, Dáithí walked out of Ward 23 to the sounds of the Eye of the Tiger and claps from hospital staff.

"There are actually no words to express our gratitude"

He will stay in Newcastle for another three weeks before returning home.

Dáithí's parents, Máirtín and Seph Mac Gabhann have campaigned for years on the issue and to get their son a heart.

They brought about Dáithí's law in June 2023 which means most adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors unless they opt out.