'We are extremely grateful': Cork mother thanks Defence Forces for getting her son to hospital

Kieran Harkins, 16, nearly didn't make his appointment for kidney dialysis at CUH after the family car became stuck in snow, but the Defence Forces came to the rescue and transported him in style

Kieran Harkins, right, and his mother Ger with Defence Forces member Steven, who helped the family get to CUH after their car became stuck in snow. 

The Defence Forces took on a special mission after snow left a seriously-ill teenage boy unable to travel for his first day of dialysis at Cork University Hospital.

Many teenagers might have been hoping the snow would make travel impossible so they could miss school, but Kieran Harkins was desperate to get on the road to hospital for his appointment.

Thankfully two members of the Defence Forces and their military jeep came to the rescue for Kieran and his mother Ger.

The surreal afternoon came just three weeks after Kieran was placed on the transplant waiting list. Up to this point, the transition year student, who lives with his family in Bweeng, Co Cork, had been travelling to Dublin with his mother for dialysis three times a week. 

After turning 16 in October last year, his medical care was transferred to Cork University Hospital. This March will mark a year since he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Ger and Kieran: 'Missing dialysis wasn’t an option for Kieran. We had to make it to CUH.'

Extending her thanks to those involved in the heroic act, Ger said: "We are extremely grateful to Steven and Shane who took us to hospital on the day. They were so lovely to us from start to finish. 

My husband had tried to drive our jeep up the road but it got completely stuck. There was between eight and 10 inches of snow. Missing dialysis wasn’t an option for Kieran. We had to make it to CUH. 

She said Kieran was extremely excited about travelling to CUH in style.

“He thought it was great craic,” she laughed. “There was a nurse in with us who also needed to get to hospital.” 

Ger said the adventure would no doubt live in the family’s memories for years to come.

“I was telling my friend about it. She was joking that we are lucky we don’t have neighbours because if anyone saw the army at our home they would have definitely thought we were terrorists or something,” she laughed.

She praised her son for his inspiring spirit.

“The last few months have been really tough but we never moan. Kieran is so strong and deals with his own struggles so well so how could we be anything but positive? We have no idea when the transplant will come. It’s like asking how long a piece of string is, but Kieran never complains. He is a great young fella. He draws good people towards him.”