A FAMILY from Co Down have been hit by a double tragedy after a teenager suffered a brain aneurysm in Spain days before his older brother's newborn son was laid to rest.
Jamie Doyle (18), from Banbridge, was put in an induced coma in Gran Canaria and had two brain surgeries in 48 hours after he collapsed on Friday while on holiday with his parents Mary (50) and Stephen (52) and friend George.
His older brother Dominic (23) laid his two-week-old son to rest yesterday after he died suddenly.
A family service was held at the boys' uncle Willie Fitzpatrick's home in Lawrencetown, Co Down followed by burial at Banbridge Cemetery.
Mr Fitzpatrick is caring for Dominic and his younger siblings Jude (16) and Callum (13) while their parents remain at Jamie's bedside. The family also has an older son, 25-year-old Thomas.
"It's very sad. It's bad enough with Dominic's baby but now Jamie," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
"It's unbelievable. I can't get my head around it at all.
"I have to stay strong for them."
Mr Fitzpatrick said he believed his nephew's life was saved thanks to his friend George, who rang for an ambulance after Jamie fell ill.
Jamie was airlifted from Lanzarote to a hospital in Gran Canaria.
Mr Fitzpatrick said Jamie, a barber and talented amateur boxer, was previously diagnosed with a brain condition which he may have had since birth.
"We knew a year ago that Jamie had had an existing condition," he said.
"He had a couple of fits and they did tests on him in March. That's when they told him he had an aneurysm.
"It got that big that it bust (in Spain)."
Mr Fitzpatrick said his nephew had two brain surgeries over the weekend.
"All you can do is hope and pray that he comes out of it," he said.
"We just want him home. We need his mummy home. The children need their mummy and daddy. It's very hard on them.
"To come through a wee baby being buried and now waiting on news of Jamie. It's hard."
Jamie will be in an induced coma for between four to six weeks.
"They (his parents) will stay with him (in Gran Canaria) for the six weeks," he said.
His family are attempting to raise money to go towards his medical bills and accommodation costs. Almost £38,000 of the £100,000 target has been raised so far.
Mr Fitzpatrick said the family were very thankful for all the support they had received so far.
"The GAA community have rang me to donate money," he said.
"St Patrick's College, the school in Banbridge that Jamie went to, are holding a fundraiser too.
"The support has been unbelievable. People's prayers and thoughts have been second to none.
"We really appreciate it."
He said the family hope that Jamie can eventually be cared for in Northern Ireland but have been told that "every day is critical".
"It's so close to Christmas," he said.
"The youngest lad Callum is only 13. It's sad times for them all. They just want their mummy and daddy here."
Mr Fitzpatrick said Jamie is "a character".
"He loves everybody and never had a bad word to say about anybody," he said.
"He enjoys life and is a lovable lad."
Donations towards Jamie's medical bills and costs can be made via www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-jamies-life
