Dr David Hickey, the surgeon who performed Ireland’s first kidney/pancreas transplant operation, at the funeral of Mairead Whalen, née Ward, the recipient, holding a picture taken of Mairead and his team after the operation in 1991.

Renowned surgeon speaks at Mairead’s funeral

Published: Tue 30 Dec 2025, 9:52 AM

The renowned surgeon, Dr David Hickey, who performed Ireland’s first simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant on Mairead Whalen, then Ward, in 1991, attended Mrs Whalen’s funeral and spoke at her graveside before Christmas.

In his oration, Dr Hickey spoke of Mairead’s visit to his office and of how determined she was to see a transplant programme in Ireland. She was not going to be ignored, he remarked.

Dr Hickey’s pioneering efforts, along with patients like Mairead, laid the groundwork for the national pancreas-transplant programme which has migrated from Beaumont to St Vincent’s Hospital. Their work has given numerous families hope, more years, and better quality of life.

Mrs Whalen’s cousin John Gaffney of Gaffney’s pub, Delvin, also addressed the gathering at the graveside. He spoke warmly of his cousin, who had suffered from diabetes from an early age, and proudly of the legacy she had left as a trailblazer for those in need of organ transplants.