Community rallies to help young Tipperary family complete their home after a life-altering diagnosis.
In this article we cover:
- Declan O’Halloran’s MSA diagnosis and its impact on the self-build
- What costs the fundraiser aims to cover
Like many young Irish adults, Declan moved to Australia in 2008, where he met his wife, Joanne Kenneally, from Middleton, Co. Cork. They got married in 2017 and have two children, Ava (3) and Levi (3). Together, they always planned to return home to Ireland to live in Declan’s home village of Newcastle, Co Tipperary.
In 2021, shortly after the birth of their son Levi, Declan began experiencing troubling symptoms that were initially suspected to be Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Despite his declining health, he and Joanne, a nurse, pressed ahead with their plans to move back to Ireland, secure planning permission and build their family home. But after their return in 2022, Declan’s symptoms worsened.
Eventually, in May 2024, he was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and progressive neurological condition that affects movement, balance, speech and other bodily functions. There is currently no cure, and the life expectancy is typically around 10 years from the onset of symptoms.
As a construction supervisor, Declan initially took on the self-build project with their savings and support from family, but the rapid progression of his illness has made it impossible for him to continue working. With no mortgage available due to his health status and costs rising, the family is facing an uphill battle to complete their home.
Friends and family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Declan and Joanne finish building their house, with plans to adapt it for Declan’s future care. Time is critical, as they are currently renting accommodation that is no longer suitable for his needs. With support from the community, the family hopes to complete the project and create a safe, accessible home where Declan can be with his loved ones.
The fundraiser aims to cover construction costs, adapt the home to support Declan’s health needs and offset ongoing medical expenses.
If you’d like to donate to the fundraiser, go to the ‘Do It For Declan’ GoFundMe campaign page.
