MEADHBH MCGIVERN, the Leitrim teenager who missed out on a liver transplant nearly three months ago before eventually undergoing the 14-hour life-saving procedure last month, has returned to Ireland.
McGivern returned to Ireland on an Irish Air Corps Learjet yesterday after being transferred by ambulance from King’s College Hospital in London to RAF Northholt from where she was flown to Baldonnel.
She is now recuperating at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, south Dublin.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning, her father Joe said the 14-year-old was “doing quite well” and added that it was ”nice to be back on home soil again.”
There had been fears that McGivern would be forced to return to Ireland on a commercial flight but they were averted and in any case her father said that if it had come to that he would not have put her through such an ordeal.
“She has got the gift of a new life,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t “throw that back at the donor” by taking a risk.
McGivern’s case sparked controversy in July after she missed out on the liver transplant following an administrative blunder which meant the Air Corps jet was not available to transport her to London in time for the op.
The Health Minister James Reilly subsequently ordered an inquiry by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
Joe McGivern today admitted it had been a “roller coaster” full of mixed emotions but added how happy he was to have his daughter back on home soil.
There were no indications of when Meadhbh may be allowed to leave hospital.
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