Community Rallies to Support Féile O’Sullivan After Tragic Accident

URGENT UPDATE: A community in Allihies on the Beara Peninsula is uniting in support of Féile O’Sullivan, a 13-year-old girl who lost both legs in a devastating farm accident on July 2. Described as a “great girl,” Féile is now facing a dramatically altered life, and her hometown is stepping up with overwhelming generosity.

Just days after the accident, local emergency services and Cork University Hospital (CUH) played a crucial role in saving her life. Féile is currently receiving treatment in Dublin and is being closely supported by her mother, Maureen, as they navigate these challenging times together.

In a stunning show of solidarity, a fundraiser initiated by the local Garnish GAA committee has already raised over €333,000, but community leaders stress that much more will be needed to support Féile’s recovery and rehabilitation. Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “It was a freak accident, it happened in a split second. It’s very tough on her.”

Féile’s passion for sports, including soccer, rugby, and horse-riding, is well known in the community. The fundraising page highlights that while the accident has changed her circumstances, it has not altered her vibrant spirit. “This accident hasn’t changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs,” the page reads.

Councillor Harrington praised the heroic efforts of local first responders, ambulance crews, and the air ambulance service that transported Féile to CUH. “In the beginning, it was touch and go as to whether she was going to live or not. She’s over that part of it now, which is great,” he said.

After spending a week in CUH, Féile was transferred to CHI at Crumlin, with plans to move to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin. This transition means months away from home for both her and her mother, who is a teacher and children’s officer with the club.

“Her whole life was turned upside down in one split second,” Harrington added. He noted that Féile is deeply touched by the community’s response, saying, “She is so taken aback by what so many people are doing for her, giving her money and sending emails with messages of goodwill. She is so grateful, unbelievably grateful. She’s a great girl, to be fair to her.”

The Garnish GAA committee is actively organizing further fundraising events and is calling on anyone interested in helping to reach out. “People are being brilliant. There’s fundraisers running here now for the next few months,” Harrington said. “Anybody who wants to run a fundraiser—a coffee morning, cake sale, vintage tractor run—reach out to us, and we’ll link into the GoFundMe page.”

As the community rallies around Féile, they are also considering necessary adaptations to her family home and the acquisition of specialized medical equipment to support her recovery.

You can donate to the Stand for Féile fundraiser by clicking here. This is an urgent call for support as the Allihies community comes together to uplift one of their own in a time of crisis.