Fundraising concert for litte Conor

Country star Jimmy Buckley is the headline act at a fundraising gig in The Well in Moate on September 24 for brave Mountbolus toddler Conor Doyle.

Conor, who along with his twin sister Kate turns two on October 3, was diagnosed with the rare liver disease Biliary Artesia weeks after his birth.

In January of this year, he received a much-needed transplant London’s King’s College Hospital. His donor is his father Patrick, who donated a significant portion of his liver in a bid to save his son’s life.

Unfortunately, Conor’s body rejected his new liver and he had to undergo a process called plasmapheresis, which filtered his blood to try and reduce the adverse reaction.  

While his condition stabilised sufficiently for him and his family to return home in early July, last week he was admitted to Crumlin Hospital with complications. His aunt Marie Doyle says doctors are trying to get to the bottom of his current problems and Conor and Kate are keeping everyone spirits up.

“He’s in good form as babies manage to be. Keeping everyone entertained and on their toes. It’s not fixed yet. He’s still rejecting the liver. It’s very much a waiting game.”

Conor’s illness has taken not only an emotional toll but also a financial one on his family. Marie says their extended family and the close knit community in Mountbolus and surrounding areas have run a number of fundraisers to ease the financial burden on the Doyles, the latest of which is Jimmy Buckley’s upcoming gig in Moate.

“People have offered us massive support including Jimmy Buckley and Declan Menton from The Well, who has been a huge help in accommodating the event.”