The emotional moment Cork dad John is reunited with his partner Yvonne, and sons Oscar and Tristan in Cork Airport Credit: C103's Cork Today Show

An Irish family who were split apart for more than a year while their son received life-changing treatment in the USA enjoyed an emotional reunion just weeks ahead of Christmas.

Parents Yvonne Cahalane and John Forde have been living on two different continents as their two-year-old son Tristan received medical treatment for a rare form of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome.

The family made the difficult decision to split their family in two, with Yvonne and Tristan moving to Denver, where the little boy has been receiving cannabis oil treatment for more than a year.

Dad John remained in Dunmanway, Cork for work while the couple’s other son Oscar joined his mum in the US in April.

The video, which was captured by C103’s Cork Today Show shows the magical moment the family reunite after their difficult year apart in Cork Airport.

Speaking on the show, Yvonne said: "It was exhausting but every minute was worth it. I think I'm still in shellshock mode but I'm delighted to see so many friendly faces."

Expand Close The emotional moment Cork dad John is reunited with his son Oscar Credit: C103's Cork Today Show / Facebook

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Whatsapp The emotional moment Cork dad John is reunited with his son Oscar Credit: C103's Cork Today Show

Tristan’s condition has massively improved since the beginning of the treatment in the US and mum Yvonne is actively campaigning to made medical use of cannabis to be legalised in Ireland. It has been almost three months since Tristan last suffered a seizure.

The little boy returned home to Cork just in time to turn on the Christmas lights in his hometown, where a fire truck was at the ready to accompany him and his brother to the event.

Expand Close The emotional moment Cork dad John is reunited with his partner Yvonne, and sons Oscar and Tristan in Cork Airport Credit: C103's Cork Today Show / Facebook

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Whatsapp The emotional moment Cork dad John is reunited with his partner Yvonne, and sons Oscar and Tristan in Cork Airport Credit: C103's Cork Today Show

"They were amazing, they had the fire truck ready to take us with the boys into town and they were all out on the street - it was lovely, it was such a lovely welcome home."

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