Mum's pride after son's death gives life to three people
Thursday November 26 2009
A heartbroken mother, whose 15-year-old son died after a defective moped he was riding collided with a car, has called for people to carry organ donor cards.
The tearful mum told the Dublin City Coroner's Court that she drew consolation from the fact that her son's organs had been used to help others.
Conor McQuillan's mother, Jacqueline, who was accompanied by her sister, two sons and daughter, said what "made it easier was the letter from the mother of a 10-year-old child who received a kidney following Conor's death. It is the gift of life. This enabled three people to live," she said.
Mrs McQuillan had lost another son nine years ago, the court heard.
Three individuals benefited following the family's decision to consent for organ harvesting after Conor's death.
Conor, of Moyclare Close, Baldoyle, Dublin, was taking turns with friends riding a moped on the evening of September 18, 2008 after school at the old Baldoyle Racecourse when the tragic incident occurred.
He was not wearing a helmet and collided with a car.
Motorist Paul Kelly was leaving the site on the evening of September 18 when he just "heard this bang.....felt the bang", he said.
He did not see the moped, which came from a dirt track onto the Hall Road.
It is a concealed junction and the views of both people would have been obscured due to the presence of high bushes and mounds.
Mr McQuillan was flung from the moped and sustained fatal head injuries.
He never regained consciousness and died at Beaumont Hospital on September 20.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
cbyrne@herald.ie
- Cormac Byrne
