This Maynooth waiter's gesture to a boy with special needs and his family is just lovely

A Maynooth restaurant’s gesture to an 12-year-old boy and his family has gone viral this week after being shared on Facebook.

Darach, whose dad is musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire, has Fragile X Syndrome - a genetic condition that causes learning disabilities, extreme social anxiety and autism.

His mother, Sheila MacNally, runs a Facebook page about Darach's Assistance Dog, Cassie and the difference she makes to their lives. Darach can easily be overwhelmed by sensory overload or anxiety and go into 'fight or flight' mode where he would panic and run away. Cassie helps by tethering him and Sheila says she is a hugely calming influence.