HSE CEO meets Offaly mother whose son is facing challenges following a tragic accident

On a recent visit to Portlaoise Hospital HSE CEO Bernard Gloster met with Rita Flaherty Dennedy, who works at Portlaoise Hospital as an Assistant Director of Nursing for Patient Flow.

Rita is the mother of Michael Dennedy (14) from Kinnitty who is facing an unimaginable challenge following a tragic accident involving a tractor where he lost his leg.

Michael and Rita recently met Mr Gloster in the Ronald McDonald House in Crumlin Hospital where Mr Gloster heard of Michael's passion for sport but particularly hurling. On the visit to Portlaoise Hospital Mr Gloster took the opportunity to meet with Rita again and he shared a personal gift of a training jersey for Michael signed by Limerick Hurling superstar Kyle Hayes.

Mr Gloster said how impressed he was with Michael and Rita and their resilience in the face of a difficult recovery journey. He said he was in no doubt that his family and his mum Rita and dad Ray are the champions of hope and encouragement around him. He wished Michael the very best in his recovery.

Michael in a video posted to social media later that night, thanked Mr Gloster, saying: “Thank you for the amazing gift. Kyle Hayes is an amazing player. Thank you so much for keeping your promise, I didn’t think you would do it but you are a man of your word, Limerick for the five in a Row!”