Son of CUH cardiac consultant who died of heart condition undertakes lifesaving research

Cian O’Donnell has the same genetic heart condition that claimed the life of his father Aonghus, a CUH cardiothoracic surgeon, who died at 49. He is now undertaking cutting-edge research at Oxford University in a bid to find a gene therapy to treat and potentially cure it

Cian O'Donnell, son of Aonghus O'Donnell is doing a research doctorate at Oxford focusing on designing genetic therapies for cardiomyopathies as part of the CureHeart project Picture: Larry Cummins

On A Wet Friday morning in late October 2010, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Aonghus O’Donnell stood in the newest wing of Cork University Hospital (CUH).

After three years of construction, more than a decade of planning, and €85m in investment, the Cardiac Renal Centre was being unveiled, with taoiseach Brian Cowen on hand — doing as taoisigh do and cutting the proverbial ribbon.