Fundraiser for South Kerry man after Haemorrhage in New York

By Sean Moriarty

An extended Killarney family is asking the community to rally behind their brother who faces a serious medical journey in New York.

Faha's Karina Quinlan previously worked as a chef for the Hotel Europe and Chapter 40 restaurant before setting up her own food hamper service called Joy Co Bia.

Her older brother James, originally from Waterville, is currently in a New York hospital after suffering a brain a major brain
Haemorrhage just before Christmas.

The Quinlan's cousins are: Olivia O'Connor a general nurse working in the Bons Tralee and living in Ballyhar, Sheila Daly, the former District Court Clerk who now works for the Department of Justice and lives in Muckross, and Kerry County Council engineer Desmond Fitzgerald.

James is responding well to medical treatment but faces a long and expensive road to full recovery.

A fundraiser, set up by the family over Christmas has already reached over €80,000 but much more is needed to help offset both the medical bills at Lenox Hill Acute Care Hospital in Manhattan and future rehabilitation expenses.

On Tuesday this week he underwent further brain surgery.

“He is conscious and responsive,” Karina told the Killarney Advertiser.

The family have been in touch with the Irish Consulate General in New York and are awaiting advice from Department of Foreign Affairs officials there.

While they have another brother, Gary, in New Jersey, current COVID-19 emergencies in the United States prevent him from visiting James.

“Covid cases in America reached one million this week,” added Karina. “Visitations have been stopped by the hospital.”

The GoFund Me account can be accessed via this link: https://gofund.me/2d8d612a