DOM'S WISH - Support Orla McDermott Keenehan and Children

Please support Orla, Lachlan and Eden to carry out the necessary upgrades to their home as planned before Dom's diagnosis.

We are asking our community to please support the family of the late Dominic Keenehan after his sudden passing in July 2023. Dom was diagnosed with cancer in June and passed away one month later at the age of 38. Leaving behind his pregnant wife Orla McDermott and their 14 month old son Lachlan. After Dom’s diagnosis St Farnan’s GAA club suggested a fundraiser to support him, instead Dom's wish was that this would be done for his family after he was gone to help towards the much needed renovations of their home.

Orla has asked that 10% of all funds raised will be donated to the North West Hospice.

Dom and Orla were together 18 years. They met in IT Sligo in 2005 and after 13 wonderful years together were married in 2018. After years of renting they finally decided to buy their first home and in 2021 moved from Westport back to Orla’s home place in Aughris, Co. Sligo. Dom was so excited to start a family, all he ever wanted was to be a dad. After 5 months in their new home Orla fell pregnant with their first child, their son Lachlan arrived in May 2022. Dom and Orla were granted planning permission to renovate their house and work was scheduled to begin in April 2023.

During their first Christmas as a family, Dom noticed a dull pain in his side and was referred for tests. In January 2023 the doctors believed that Dom’s pain was caused by gallstones. During this time Dom and Orla were delighted to find out they were expecting their second child. Unfortunately Dom’s pain worsened and further tests suggested that he had an autoimmune disease called PSC. He was told that he would need a liver transplant in 15 years but no treatment was required at the time. Unfortunately Dom’s health deteriorated rapidly and in March he was referred to St Vincent’s hospital in Dublin and placed on the top of the transplant list. Dom waited for 3 months but no suitable liver became available.

In June after further tests were carried out it was discovered that Dom had bile duct cancer, a very rare and aggressive cancer. He was told the cancer was terminal and was given 3 months to live, Orla wasn’t due to give birth to their second child for another 4 months. Knowing that Dom would never get to meet their baby, they decided to find out what they were having. On the 18th July, only one month later, Dom sadly passed away surrounded by his loving family. His baby girl Eden Dominique Keenehan arrived on the 6th of October.

Please support Orla, Lachlan and Eden during this difficult time.