The Dillon Quirke Foundation has saved over 30 lives since it commenced cardiac screening for SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) two years ago.

The figure was revealed by Dan Quirke, whose son Dillon collapsed and died on August 5, 2022 during a Tipperary SHC game between his club Clonoulty/Rossmore and Kilruane McDonaghs at FBD Semple Stadium. Aged just 24, Dillon was a regular on the Tipperary senior team at the time.

The Dillon Quirke Foundation was subsequently set up in honour of him and also to raise awareness around SADS.

"It's been amazing really," Dan told RTÉ’s Nationwide programme.

"When we set up the foundation we'd hoped to screen 5,000 young kids in our first year, but as of the end of August we have screened nearly 19,000 and we'll have 20,000 reached by year end.

"It's been a huge solace to me as Dillon's dad, and also to the family, that we can do that."

He added: "More than 30 procedures have taken place and we've saved lives.

"Realistically, as a family and a foundation we think screening should be mandatory in this country. We feel that kids deserve to be screened because we can save lives."

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