North Longford rallies behind young dad lucky to be alive after crane touched powerlines

A north Longford community are rallying to the cause of a Donegal father of one who suffered horrific burns after the crane he was operating touched powerlines outside Ballinamuck last month.

Dillon Feely, from just outside Donegal Town, suffered the life-changing injuries on August 1.

The 27-year-old was operating a truck-mounted crane while working to install high speed broadband when it struck an overhead powerline.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and tended to Dillon before he was airlifted to St James' Hospital for life-saving treatment.

Despite those efforts, the father of one's injuries were so severe doctors were forced to amputate the Donegal man's right leg.

Wedding bells ring for long serving Longford GAA club player and his beautiful bride

A gofundme page was set up within a week of Dillon's accident has set a target of €50,000 to help cover the costs of extensive medical bills and with the young man's continued rehabilitation.

The response resulted in over€112,000 being raised, courtesy of over 1,600 donations.

Now, a small band of locals from north Longford have come together to row in behind that effort by organising a fundraising night in Dillon's Bar in Ballinamuck this Saturday (September 30).

“Dillon's injuries were so severe that the community just felt helpless,” said one of the organisers behind this weekend's event, Susan Murphy.

PICTURES | Plenty of talking and walking in Granard at County Longford Green Ribbon walk

“Dillon is lucky to be alive and we just decided on running this fundraiser to help with his continued rehabilitation.”

Fellow organiser Margaret Dillon said the local community were very much united in showing their support for someone whom she described as a “very nice young man”.

She said: “It (accident) happened right beside my mam's house.

“It is a quiet country lane and to see fire brigades, ambulances and the like, it's not something you see every day of the week.

“Everyone is rallying around to see how he is doing.”

The event itself gets underway from 9:30pm. Music on the night will be provided by Nite Fever and admission is optional.

All donations will go directly to Dillons rehabilitation.

“There will be a raffle and spot prizes on the night and all support is much appreciated."

Longford councillors slam massive Edgeworthstown housing development plan as 'ridiculous'