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Calls for heart screening after four boys die in a week
CALLS have been made for mandatory heart screening of all schoolchildren
after four young boys died playing sports in one week.
The latest victim was 13-year-old Patrick Devlin who collapsed during
a GAA training session in Ardboe in Co. Tyrone on Saturday.
Efforts to revive him were made with a defibrillator that was donated
to the club by the family of Cormac McAnallen — the Tyrone senior
football captain who died of a mystery coronary condition three years
ago.
The latest death came as mourners gathered for the funeral of 10-year-old
Patrick Breen from Dregish also in Co. Tyrone. He died after a GAA training
session last week.
Just hours earlier 16-year-old Tony Parker collapsed and died during a
PE class in Moate in Co. Westmeath.
And 16-year-old Pakistani student Zeeshan Mohammed collapsed while playing
football in a schoolyard at the Marist College in Athlone in Co. Westmeath.
All four boys are believed to have died from SADS — Sudden Arrhythmia
Death Syndrome — which kills between 60 and 80 young people in Ireland
each year.
Brendan McAnallen, father of Cormac, said four similar deaths in Ireland
in one week should prompt official action.
He said: “Every young person should be screened because every young
person plays sports not just athletes.
“No matter what you are doing if you are under 40 years of age you
are at risk.”
GAA Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy said: “Everyone is finding
it difficult to comprehend that another young player has died participating
in our games. It definitely does make one have some reservations about
the future.”
Patrick Devlin collapsed during a break in training in the Ardboe O’Donovan
Rossa Club.
Club spokesman Neil Coney said: “He was at training at the time
but was standing around when he collapsed. He was a very likeable young
fellow. He just loved football and always wanted to play.” |
