A BOY who was born with a hole in the heart and hearing problems and who survived a horrific crash in which his mother was killed is to get the gift of hearing.

A SIX-YEAR-OLD who lost his chief connection with the hearing world when his mother died in a car crash just before Christmas 2002 is today being assessed for specialist hearing implants.

A MEMORIAL trust has been set up as a tribute to Susan Maher, the mother of six who died during the week as she made her daily return trip between Dublin and Kilkenny so her deaf son might have a chance of leading a normal life.

DEVOTED mother Susan Maher lived for her six children. She doted over them all.