The family of a Cork Naval Officer who was involved in a bike accident are said to be "ecstatic" after he recently returned home to Cork.
Naval Service Chief Petty Officer, Donal Goulding was on his annual cycling holiday in Spain with friends, before being hit by a vehicle on a road on the Costa Blanca last month (April 8). He was taken to hospital, along two of his friends. They were taken to Vinalopo Hospital in Elche.
Having been in a "critical" condition, Donal Goulding was soon place in an induced coma.
Now, Mr Goulding has returned to Cork, having been taken via air ambulance, where he will be closer to his friends, family and colleagues.
Following this, a fundraiser was set up to support Donal's family, raising over €100,000 at the time of writing. €3,000 has been donated by the Ballincollig Crusaders Cycling Club, which Goulding is a "proud member" of.
The man behind this fundraiser, was a close friend of Donal Goulding's, David O'Leary.
Sharing an update on the welfare of his friend, David said "the steady improvement we are already seeing in Donie is incredibly reassuring and gives us all so much hope".
He continued: "Upon landing at Cork Airport, Donie was transferred safely by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. In terms of his current condition, he still has his tracheotomy in place, but we are thrilled to share that he is breathing entirely for himself without any difficulties", Mr O'Leary said.
"To say the family is ecstatic to be back on Irish soil would be an understatement. Being home in Cork means they finally have the immediate, hands-on comfort and support of friends and extended family to lean on for the road ahead".
"The family wants to extend their deepest, eternal gratitude to all of the doctors, nurses, and consultants in Alicante. The medical care Donie was afforded there was exceptional, and it gave him the foundation he needed to make this journey home. Now, they look forward to seeing Donie's continual improvement under the dedicated care of his new medical team here in Ireland".
