Story of Corkman's 1998 dash to London for heart and lung transplant told in documentary

Pio Fenton tells how the split-second dash gave his brother an extra 17 years of life — and how through domino donation, his heart lives on to this day in another transplant recipient

In 1998, Dermot Fenton made the dramatic dash to London on the Government jet for a life-saving double transplant. He's pictured at Cork Airport on his return being greeted by his parents Gobnait and David. Irish Examiner picture: Richard Mills

The story of the Corkman who made national headlines in 1998 following a heart and lung transplant operation which involved a race against the clock and a ‘mercy dash’ to London on the Government jet, is to be told in a documentary on Newstalk tomorrow. 

Dermot Fenton from Glenville passed away aged 41 in January 2016, 17 years after he had the double operation. Following his operation, he opened a dog kennel business, played golf several times a week, and enjoyed the odd pint or two in his local pub.