Nightclub burns victim making slow but steady progress

Date Published: 13-Feb-2013

NUI Galway student Matthew Sheridan – who received extensive burns in an horrific incident on Halloween night – is making an “excellent” recovery in hospital.

And family and friends of Matthew have thanked the people of Galway for their care and kindness.

The second year medical student is still recovering in the National Burns Unit in St James’ Hospital, Dublin after receiving life-threatening burns when his Halloween costume caught fire in a Galway City nightclub.

A spokesperson said the student and his family – who are from Dublin – are “so deeply grateful” for the love and support shown by Galwegians following the incident, and to his classmates for an €8,000 donation to the hospital.

And Odhran Shelley, Consultant Surgeon and the Director of the Burns Unit said: “We are delighted when patients make excellent recovery following injury, and greatly appreciate the support of family, friends and communities, who have a key role in supporting the individual to recovery.”

It is understood his continuing recovery will be a “slow process”. Class-mates and friends from Galway regularly visit him in hospital and take him out.

Meanwhile, his fellow NUIG students have raised funds for the Burns Unit, which has been described by the hospital as a “windfall”.

“The people of Galway have really rallied around with support, and NUIG students have raised almost €8,000 for the Burns Unit,” the spokesperson said.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune