Double blow for young victim of rugby accident

I NOTE that John Hurley asks us “to spare a thought for the vast majority of students who have worked hard, achieved good results and are delighted with themselves” (Irish Examiner letters, August 18).

I would ask our third-level institutions to spare a thought for the predicament of a Dublin youth just turned 19. This helpless teenager is nearly 22 weeks on his back - six weeks in the national spinal ward in the Mater Hospital and currently 16 weeks in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

This young man is currently quadriplegic. His beautiful young life changed on Saturday, March 27 - the day Ireland won the Triple Crown - while playing a friendly schools match - fifth years versus sixth years. His neck was broken during this game.