In 2011 Paul O’Neill, from Carbury in Kildare, underwent a bowel operation that, unfortunately, did not go to plan.

Paul was rushed to the Emergency Dept in Connolly Hospital and from there was referred to Beaumont Hospital where he came under the care of Colorectal Surgeon, Mr John Burke. A further two major surgeries were required in 2016 to repair his lower bowel and to convert his Colostomy to an Illyostomy which was a 10 hrs operation. In 2018 Paul had a further operation to reverse the Illyostomy and finally become ‘bag free’.

He says, “Thanks to Mr Burke, I got some normality of life back. There is one more surgery to be taken care of - an incisional hernia – and I will be done. I can’t thank him enough but putting me right again and repairing the damage that had been done elsewhere and essentially, for saving my life. I am delighted to nominate him for this award and to recognise what he has done for me”.