‘Countless lives will be saved’ as a result of Dylan undergoing treatment
By Aideen O’Flaherty
THE funeral of Dylan O’Neill, who died last month at 21 years of age while undergoing treatment for a rare genetic condition, will take place in St Mary’s Priory in Tallaght village this Saturday, November 9, at 11am.
As previously reported in The Echo, Dylan, a past pupil of Coláiste de híde from Ellensborough in Tallaght, was an avid sports fan who supported Liverpool and played with Thomas Davis GAA Club from childhood.
Dylan O’Neill
In December 2018, he was diagnosed with adult metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), just five months after his older sister Serena (25) had been diagnosed with the condition.
Dylan travelled to the Manchester Royal Infirmary in June to prepare to undergo a bone marrow transplant, a pioneering treatment for the condition which doctors hoped would slow the progression of the disease, while Serena followed shortly afterwards.
The young man sadly passed away in Manchester on October 18, but his father, Noel O’Neill, said his son’s death “will not be in vain” and that “countless lives will be saved” as a result of him undergoing the treatment.
In his death notice, published on RIP.ie, Dylan has been described as the “beloved son of Noel and Sandra and cherished brother of Serena and Natasha.
“Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family, grandparents Noel and Mary O’Neill and Thomas and Sue Wynne, uncles, aunts, cousins, Dylan’s girlfriend Laura, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends, especially those within the Thomas Davis GAA family.”
In the death notice, the family added that they would like to take this opportunity to thank most sincerely everyone who has supported the family during this difficult time.
“As there are too many of you to thank individually, please accept this message as a sign of our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for everything that you have done.”
Dylan will be buried in Bohernabreena Cemetery on Saturday, Vovember 9, following his Requiem Mass, and it is requested there are to be family flowers only at his funeral.
