Cork turns out for Jack one year on from his accident

Cork turns out for Jack one year on from his accident

Jack O’Driscoll with his dad Paul, sister Lorna, mum Deirdre, and grandmother Eileen Punch, at the Jack O’Driscoll Fund dinner dance at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Hundreds of Corkonians turned out to officially welcome Jack O’Driscoll home, one year after his devastating and life-changing accident.

Mayfield native Jack was out walking with friends at a local sports field on March 1 last year during Storm Emma, when he suffered a fall which resulted in him fracturing his C5 vertebrae in his neck.

Jack O'Driscoll at the fundraising Dinner Dance, at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Jack O'Driscoll at the fundraising Dinner Dance, at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The incident left Jack paralysed from the chest down.

The former St Mary’s captain was brought to Cork University Hospital but was transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin for surgery due to the severity of his injuries.

Jack has undergone rehabilitation in Dublin for the past year and only recently returned to Cork.

At present Jack is staying at a care facility in Mahon.

However, speaking to the Echo, Jack’s cousin Daniel Dilworth revealed the family hopes to welcome Jack back into the family home in the next few weeks.

“We’re still finishing off the last bit of the building work but hopefully we’ll have him back in the family home in the next two weeks to a month,” he said.

Marjorie Feehely, Michelle O'Sullivan, Carol Curtin and Lisa Kirby, all Mayfield Girls. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Marjorie Feehely, Michelle O'Sullivan, Carol Curtin and Lisa Kirby, all Mayfield Girls. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

“Saturday was a great night, there was a great turnout and everyone enjoyed it.

“Jack himself was delighted with how it went,” added Daniel.

“He was mad to do it to mark the anniversary, instead of staying in, he wanted a big night out with friends and family, and that’s what we had.

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