Family loses second child to Battens Disease

In the end, he died in his parents’ arms after a brave battle. Liam Heffernan, 5, won many hearts because of his valiant fight against a rare and terminal illness.

Yesterday, his family announced that he had died from Battens Disease, which claimed the life of his sister and only sibling, Saoirse, also at the age of 5, in 2010.

Liam’s parents, Tony and Mary, who live in Keel, Castlemaine, Co Kerry, were being comforted by family and friends.