Maghera schoolgirl makes ‘amazing’ recovery following serious car accident

A Maghera school girl, who suffered serious head injuries after being stuck by a car while exiting her school bus, has been described as a ‘true fighter.’

Mary O’Neill (11) and her older brother Fintan (14), both students at St Patrick’s College, Maghera were involved in the accident at the Staffordstown Road outside Toomebridge on the evening of January 17.

Both siblings suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision. While Mary remains in hospital recovering, Fintan has since been discharged from hospital and has returned back to school on a part-time basis.

However the local community were heartened last week to hear that Mary had felt well enough to leave hospital to visit the family home for a few hours.

Since the accident, members of Mary and Fintan’s local GAA club, Kickham’s Creggan GAC have pulled together to support the family. Members have come together regularly to pray the Rosary and in March, a fundraising breakfast raised £40,000.

Posting a message onto their Facebook page on Tuesday, Kickham’s GAC said: “Our community received extremely heart-warming news yesterday with an update on Mary and Fintan and the O'Neill/McAteer families. The fighting spirit is strong. Keep the prayers and belief going people, the results are evident.”

News of Mary’s recovery has also reached St Patrick’s College.  The school posted this message on to their Facebook page on Wednesday.

“What a true fighter. Mary is such a brave little girl. Her continuing recovery is amazing.”