A Northern Ireland man who was given just 24 hours to live on Tuesday has received the heart of his murdered nephew. Mr Mark Robinson (22), who died on Tuesday after he was repeatedly stabbed and beaten in a weekend attack close to his home in Derry's Galliagh area, signed an organ donor card after visiting his uncle, Mr Lornie McMonagle, in hospital two weeks ago.
Mr Robinson's brother, Warren, said: "After Mark's death, we expected to be attending two funerals this week, but now that our uncle has received Mark's heart, at least something good will come out of what has been a tragedy for the family." He added: "When Mark visited our uncle in the City Hospital, he immediately picked up and signed the organ donor card in the hospital. The heart transplant took place last night and although it's early days yet, it's looking hopeful."
Mr McMonagle was brought to Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the transplant, Mr Robinson said. "If Lornie lives with Mark's heart in him, in a way it will keep Mark alive as well. Mark had also donated his other organs, so we will be getting word back from the transplant medical team about that . . . It's not just Lornie he'll be helping, he'll be helping other people as well."
RUC detectives say they are still trying to establish a motive for the murder.