Top young carer Niamh looks after her brother... and his dog

A teenager with a rare medical condition who minds her severely autistic younger brother and his assistance dog, Paddy, is Ireland’s Young Carer of the Year.

Niamh Duffy, 13, from Midleton, Co Cork, said minding her brother is “a little bit harder” because she suffers from arthritis in her leg and chronic recurrent osteomyelitis, a rare and deeply painful bone disease.

Thirteen year old Niamh Duffy - Irelands Young Carer of the Year 2013. Congratulations Niamh! pic.twitter.com/PdKbkZBHbA

— Family Carers Ireland (@CarersIreland) November 5, 2013