Equinox cycle playing it spart in drive for a new dawn for sick children

MARIE Heffernan’s twins were born 14 weeks early. They had been due on September 9.

“Cathal wasn’t developing in the womb as he should have been, hence the decision to deliver them early,” says the 39-year-old Charleville mum, a Garda. Cathal survived 30 days. “We buried him on July 1 and Lorcan went to Temple Street Children’s Hospital that night.”

At four and a half weeks — and weighing just 950g — Lorcan had a major bowel operation. “He came through it,” says Marie, but his health is still precarious. “His food and nutrition management have to be approached very carefully, so he grows big enough to have follow-up surgery, also at Temple Street.”