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Dáithí Mac Gabhann returns home after heart transplant

Michael FitzpatrickBBC News NI
News imageBBC Dáithí with his family outside their home. From left to right - a woman white dark hair is wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans and carrying a handbag, a young boy with blonde hair carrying a Stitch teddy bear is being held by a man with short brown hair wearing sunglasses, a cream Giants t-shirt and blue jeans, Dáithí has short brown hair, wearing a white long sleeve Liverpool jersey, a man with dark hair is wearing a pink GAA jersey and black trousers and carrying a young boy wearing a blue and white top, navy shorts and trainers.BBC
Nine-year-old Dáithí and his family were greeted with cheers as he returned to his home in west Belfast after spending weeks recovering after surgery in England

A nine-year-old boy who inspired changes to Northern Ireland's organ donation laws has spent his first night at home after receiving a heart transplant.

After an eight-year wait, Dáithí Mac Gabhann received a transplant in July, with the operation being carried out at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Friends and neighbours cheered as he returned to his home in west Belfast after several weeks in England.

His father Máirtín Mac Gabhann said it was "emotional" to be back home.

"It was absolutely incredible seeing everybody here today to welcome Dáithí home," he said.

News imageAn ambulance on a residential street. Dáithí is being helped out by a paramedic. A crowd of people are standing on the street clapping.
Crowds of people lined the street to welcome Dáithí home

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

In 2023 a law was introduced in Northern Ireland which means that people automatically become potential organ donors unless they explicitly say they wish not to be.

The legislation was named Dáithí's Law, after his family spent years campaigning on the issue.

News imageDáithí is playing in a front garden with another young boy. Has short brown hair, wearing a white long sleeve Liverpool jersey and black tracksutt bottoms. The other young boy has short brown hair, wearing a blue t-shirt, dark shorts and trainers. A man is in the background, he is wearing a pink GAA jersey, black shorts and pink trainers. He is holding his hands together.
Dáithí was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning the left side of his heart did not form correctly

Speaking on Monday as they arrived home, Máirtín said it was important to "thank the donor family and the donor, to show our gratitude and to give them a moments applause".

"We don't know how we will ever repay that, but we will show gratitude for the rest of our lives," he said.

He said Dáithí was "very emotional" getting off the aeroplane and ambulance because "he's just so grateful to here".

News imageDáithí is holding his hand up in the air. His dad Máirtín is clapping.
Dáithí's father Máirtín Mac Gabhann thanked the donor and their family and gave them an applause

"The campaign for organ donation, it doesn't end, it changes slightly," Máirtín said.

"Before, we were desperate for the gift of a new heart.

"Now we show people how transformational organised donation is, the benefits of organ donation and the difference it can make, not just to the individual but to their families, to their friends, to the people around them.

"Dáithí's donor and their families, they've saved so much more than Dáithí, they've saved our whole family, our friends and the whole community around us," he said.