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After spending nine long months in hospital, Killarney teenager Ian O’Connell has returned to his hometown to the delight of all his friends, family and the community in general. Ian suffered serious injuries to his neck and spine when he fell from his bicycle in the National Park last August. The freak accident has left the brave youngster in a wheelchair but he worked relentlessly during his stay in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. Now the 16-year-old Pinewood native will continue his road to recovery back home in Killarney.

Ian’s courage in the face of such adversity has been remarkable. I chatted with him before he came down for St Patrick’s Day and I couldn’t speak highly enough of his attitude. He was upbeat about his situation and remained determined to keep working hard, no matter what. We should all strive to be more like Ian. His positivity in the face of great hardship is truly inspirational.

All of us here at the Killarney Advertiser are delighted that Ian is home and we wish him all the best in his recovery. To help the O’Connell family make necessary adaptations to their home in light of Ian’s return, please make a donation on his GoFundMe page or make the Ian O’Connell Fund your chosen beneficiary in the upcoming Ring of Kerry Cycle.