Brave ‘Dank’ passes away peacefully

THE death of brave Northsider Daniel O’Haire was met with great sadness in Finglas last week.

Daniel, who was paralysed nine years ago after a vicious stabbing, passed away on September 30 and was laid to rest last week.

The 31-year-old, known to his pals as

‘Dank’, died peacefully in St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park where he has been cared for since he was left brain damaged and paralysed following a savage attack in July, 2003.

Less than five months ago Northside People reported how Daniel travelled to Poland for the European Championships in the hope of crossing another dream off his

‘bucket list’. He had also been to Anfield to watch his beloved Liverpool and had been determined to make the most of life, in spite of his disability.

Just three months before his death Daniel was finally able to see his attacker, Robert Slator, brought to justice when he was sentenced to 12 years in jail with the final year suspended on June 22 of this year.

Daniel was left wheelchair bound and was even pronounced clinically dead for 27 minutes after the horrific attack during which his jugular vein was lacerated.

In the years since, his mother Liz had been

“his voice, his carer, his nurse, his reader, his arms and his legs

?.

Speaking to Northside People earlier this year, Liz described her son as selfless and

“someone who would brighten up your day

?.

“He just wants to help people and make them happy,

? she said.

Daniel was laid to rest in Glasnevin Cemetery after a funeral mass in the Church of the Annunciation in Finglas on Wednesday, October 3.

His family had asked that in place of flowers donations be made to the Cuàn Aiobheann in St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park.

Daniel is survived by his mother Liz, stepfather Dave, brother Alan and younger sister Nicole.