Castle Oaks fundraiser launched to help Carmody family

A fundraiser was launched last week to try and raise funds for the Carmody family of Montpelier, Castleconnell, which has been hit by horrendous illness.

Shirley and Ger Carmody had three children, Damian, Clodagh and Dylan. Damian suffered an illness known as 'Chronic Pain Syndrome' and unfortunately passed away on March 14th, last, aged 18, having suffered over a period of eight years.  

Chronic pain is a disease of the central nervous system.  It is defined as “pain without apparent biological value that has persisted beyond normal tissue healing time”. Damian suffered from endless aches and pain which affected his mobility.  

This horrendous illness often caused Damian to be unable to walk and he even on occasion passed out in school due to the pain. He suffered horrendous pain, which would often prevent him from making it up to his own bed at night.

Damian was admitted to Unit 5B at University Hospital Limerick before Christmas as he was severely depressed. This was more than likely a result of all the medication he was on due to his illness. Damian had a great love of many things, including planes and buses, but his first love was photography. He had a large circle of friends and family, and in particular had a fantastic relationship with his grandad, Mikey.

Shirley is now in an unfortunate position with her daughter Clodagh, aged 15. For the past three years Clodagh has begun to present with similar symptoms toDamian, crying with pain in her wrist, fingers and up through her arm. Clodagh is a beautiful singer and sings every week in the choir in St Joseph’s Church, Castleconnell.

It is our aim that with sufficient funding, Shirley may be able to obtain more support to help Clodagh.  Shirley lost her own father on January 12th this year, just two months prior to Damian passing.  

Dylan, the youngest of the three, is in Sixth Class and is finding life extremely difficult, having lost his brother and grandad in such a short space of time. His mother finds it difficult to get Dylan to school and is actively seeking counselling for Dylan. We can only hope that Dylan escapes this horrible disease as the illness itself doesn’t present itself until between the ages of 11-13 years.

We are hosting a fundraiser on November 30th in the Castle Oaks Hotel to 'Celebrate the life and passing of Damian' and also to support Shirley and Ger at this difficult time. We would appreciate any donation, no matter how big or small, that you could possibly give to support this worthy cause.

Donations can be sent to Dolores O’Connell, Coolready, Castleconnell, via our Go Fund Me page gf.me/u/v3va8g or directly to our fundraising account, IBAN IE11BOFI 900762 76089697 and BIC BOFIIE2D.

 

Pictured at the recent launch of the community fundraiser to celebrate the life and passing of Damian Carmody and to support his sister Clodagh and brother Dylan, are Dan Fanning, Dolores O’Connell, Shirley Carmody, Máiréad Fanning and Barry Kennedy (General Manager, Castle Oaks Hotel). PHOTOGRAPH: ODHRAN DUCIE