Northern Ireland

Young transplant campaigner Dáithí MacGabhann welcomes baby twin brothers

West Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann (7), who helped to change the law on organ donation, meets his baby twin brothers Declan Seosamh and Pádraig Mícheál Mac Gabhann. Picture: Donate4Dáithí
West Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann (7), who helped to change the law on organ donation, meets his baby twin brothers Declan Seosamh and Pádraig Mícheál Mac Gabhann. Picture: Donate4Dáithí West Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann (7), who helped to change the law on organ donation, meets his baby twin brothers Declan Seosamh and Pádraig Mícheál Mac Gabhann. Picture: Donate4Dáithí
By Allan Preston

A young Belfast boy who helped to change the law on organ donation in Northern Ireland has welcomed the birth of his twin brothers.

Seven-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann suffers from hypoplastic left heart syndrome and needs a new heart, recently passing 2,000 days on the transplant waiting list.

Posting happy news on the family’s campaign page, a delighted Dáithí was seen with the two new additions to the family.

“The journey just got a little bit more exciting,” the post from his father Mairtin read.

“Dáithí finally meeting his wee brothers Declan Seosamh (4.6 lbs) and Pádraig Mícheál Mac Gabhann (5.15 lbs) born on Thursday at 11.27pm and 11:43pm. Mummy (Seph Ni Mheallain) doing well and is an absolute hero!”

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Among the many congratulating the family on social media was Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, Sinn Féin’s West Belfast MP Paul Maskey as well as the DUP MLA Diane Dodds, who wrote: “Such a wonderful blessing. It will be a fun house for Santa.”

Last year after what became known as Daíthí’s Law came into effect, most adults in Northern Ireland are considered to be potential organ donors after their death unless they opt out.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his parents Mairtin MacGabhann and Seph Ni Mheallain (Liam McBurney/PA)
Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his parents Mairtin MacGabhann and Seph Ni Mheallain (Liam McBurney/PA) Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his parents Mairtin MacGabhann and Seph Ni Mheallain (Liam McBurney/PA)

Waiting for his transplant since 2018, Dáithí was awarded the freedom of Belfast earlier this year.

The family suffered a set back when Dáithí was temporarily taken off the active waiting list in June, but he has since been put back on.

Last month, his father commented: “Transplant is currently Dáithí’s only hope of survival and to have that taken away from us was devastating.

Mairtin Mac Gabhann with his son Daithi (Liam McBurney/PA)
Mairtin Mac Gabhann with his son Daithi (Liam McBurney/PA) Mairtin Mac Gabhann with his son Daithi (Liam McBurney/PA)

“Thankfully after all or nothing surgery in July of this year, Dáithí is now back and active on the waiting list.

“This was a lesson to us of how fragile Dáithí’s condition can be, and how quickly circumstances can change for the worse.

“Although Dáithí is currently stable, we feel that time is still not on his side.”

He also said it was an important reminder for people to take two minutes to consider joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.