A heartbroken family are asking for the Irish public to help get their brain damaged son home.

Ciaran Kelly (32), from Bray, Co Wicklow, has been living in Vancouver and is currently on a life-support machine.

His family received the devastating news last week that he had suffered a cardiac arrest and was in intensive care in a Canadian hospital.

The current cost of his medical care in the ICU in Burnaby Hospital Vancouver is $15,000 (€10,410) per day.

Hours after receiving the news, the Kelly family flew to Vancouver to be with their son.

They are now being forced to return home as they cannot afford to stay there, or to pay Ciaran's hospital fees.

"The stress and worry of what is actually happening is unbearable for us and feels so terribly cruel," they said.

"Currently we have no status in Canada and we will be left with no other option but to return to Ireland.

"Both the Irish and Canadian governments cannot assist us financially in anyway. Therefore, we are left with no other option but to appeal to the kindness and generosity of the public to help us bring Ciaran home. "

Due to Ciaran's condition, the family will require a special type of medical aircraft to bring him back to Ireland.

According to the GoFundMe page set up, they need to raise €100,000.

"We cannot express the urgency of this situation at this horrendous time. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for any donation you can contribute as it will bring us one step closer to bringing Ciaran home," they added.

You can donate here.

Online Editors