The family of a five-year-old girl with special needs has been left devastated following the sudden death of their great Dane. Charlie, an award-winning great Dane, died as a result of a twisted gut. He had developed an extraordinary protective bond with Brianna Lynch.

A Belgian donor has pledged €8,000 for the provision of a new EEG ambulatory machine after reading a story about the plight of a Killaloe toddler, whose seizures are detected by her family’s Great Dane, Charlie.

One of the best-known Great Dane dogs in the world — and his protective sixth sense — will be honoured with a national award.

He’s great in every sense of the word — Great Dane Charlie is so in tune with his best friend, three-year-old Brianna Lynch, that he can alert her parents up to 20 minutes before she has a seizure.