Fundraisers this weekend for ‘miracle' man Cormac

Fundraisers are being held this weekend for a young Multyfarnham man who narrowly escaped death following a fall from a cliff in New Zealand last month.

Cormac O’Brennan (20) suffered a serious head injuries when he fell 20m off a cliff on January 4. 

The apprentice electrician, who moved to Christchurch last September, was brought back to life three times by the paramedics who were the first responders at the scene of the fall.

Doctors removed a portion of Cormac’s skull to ease the pressure on his brain, but thankfully he suffered no spinal injuries in the fall.

Cormac’s sister Aisling told the Westmeath Examiner this week that the doctors treating him in Christchurch say it is a “miracle” he is still alive. 

“They say that he shouldn’t be hear at all. They’ve never seen anything like it,” she said.

Cormac has begun rehab and doctors have told his family that it could be September when he will be fit enough to return to Ireland.

“They warned us that it will be a long recovery time. 

“He is talking now and I’ve spoken to him briefly on the phone twice. 

“He is still mixing up his words sometimes and what he says mightn’t make sense. 

“They are working on his short-term memory and getting him walking and putting pressure on his hip.”

While Cormac continues his road to recovery, a family member will be with him at all times to provide support. 

His father Paul has been by his bedside since the fall, while his mother Helen has been over and back a number of times. 

In order to help the Brennan family with costs of Cormac’s rehabilitation, as well as the expense that will be incurred during the family’s stay in New Zealand, two fundraisers have been organised for this weekend.

This Saturday evening, February 23, a number of local acts, including Ireland’s Got Talent contestant Declan Colgan and Fallen Lights, are performing at an event in the Annebrook Hotel, while an auction will also take place on the evening. 

On Sunday morning, a 5-a-side football competition is taking place in Springfield. It kicks off at 10.30am, food will also be served and there will be a raffle.

Aisling says her family have been overwhelmed by the response from people. 

In addition to this weekend’s fundraisers, a GoFundMe campaign has also raised over €7,000 and the O’Brennan family have also received a number of private donations.

“It’s great to have such support,” she said.