Irish father of two receives tragic diagnosis – young family returns from Australia to build their dream home

The family of an Irish father of two has launched a fundraiser after he received a devastating diagnosis in the middle of moving his young family back to his hometown of Tipperary.

Declan O'Halloran, known as Denis, was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare, progressive neurological disease, in 2021 after experiencing symptoms believed to be related to MS as he prepared to move back to Ireland with his family after nearly 16 years in Australia.

The 39-year-old moved to Australia in 2008, where he met his wife Joanne, who is also from Ireland. They married in 2017 and had two children, Ava (5) and Levi (3).

According to the fundraising page Do it for Declan, the couple had always dreamed of returning to Ireland and settling in O'Halloran's hometown of Newcastle Village. The couple bit the bullet and emigrated to the Emerald Isle in 2021.

During the strenuous move, the father of two began to experience symptoms such as unsteadiness on his feet and speech problems, which led to a diagnosis of MS in Australia. However, after returning to Ireland, a neurologist confirmed that it was something more serious.

After returning from Australia, Declan and Joanne set about building a home for their two children. They put their savings and income into the home build project as they were unable to get a mortgage due to Declan's diagnosis. They hoped that with treatment, Declan's health would improve and his life would soon return to normal.

However, Declan's condition worsened and he eventually had to give up his job. The couple's dream of building a stable home has since become increasingly difficult as they have had to survive this difficult time without an income.

Declan was now unemployed and continued working on the family dream home while waiting for treatment for his MS. However, on May 29, 2024, he received the tragic news that his actual diagnosis was MSA.

MSA is caused by degeneration or shrinkage of nerve cells in several areas of the brain. This can lead to problems with several body functions, cause sufferers to lose coordination and balance, become slow and stiff, and experience changes in speech and swallowing.

There is currently no cure or specific treatment for MSA, and the disease carries a short life expectancy of around ten years, meaning daily activities are already becoming more challenging for the Tipperary father.

Declan and his wife Joanne relied on family support to move forward with their home building project, but rising construction costs and Declan's deteriorating health made it an uphill battle.

Now relatives and friends of the young family have turned to GoFundMe in the hope of raising funds for the tragically deceased father as he copes with the devastating diagnosis.

The organisers of 'Do it for Declan' stated on the crowdfunding website: “We, the friends and family of Declan and Joanne, have come together to help them complete their home. We hope to raise enough money to complete the house as quickly as possible so that Declan can enjoy life in their home alongside his young family for as long as possible.”

“The funds raised will be used to complete the home to ensure it meets his future needs and will cover Declan’s current and future medical expenses.”

“This is a young family whose lives have been turned upside down and who now need our help.”

So far, in less than 48 hours, over €20,000 has been raised for Mr O'Halloran and his young family as they struggle to complete the construction of their new home, which is currently uninhabitable, but over €150,000 is needed to complete the work.

For more information or to donate to Declan's fundraiser, visit GoFundMe here.