Paul Molloy leaves Beaumont Hospital after live organ donation from uncle Micheal Gleeson
He went in sick, and came out feeling better. I went in healthy, and came out feeling worse,
Micheal Gleeson said of the simultaneous surgery he underwent with his nephew, Paul Molloy, as the Offaly Independent reported.
Paul Molloy, owner of the Offaly milk company Boora Bainne, left Beaumont Hospital on his 34th birthday after receiving a live kidney donation from his uncle, Tullamore man Micheal Gleeson. Molloy, a 34-year-old from Blueball, received his end-stage kidney disease diagnosis in July 2024 after a routine procedure revealed very high blood pressure. He had experienced no prior symptoms before doctors identified the condition.
Hemodialysis routine before the July transplant
Molloy started hemodialysis in February 2025 after his kidney function declined. Professor Declan De Freitas, a consultant nephrologist and transplant physician at Beaumont Hospital, explained that dialysis draws blood out, cleans it, and returns it to the body because patients cannot survive without functioning kidneys. Dialysis takes over the process, but it is not as good as the real thing, according to Professor De Freitas, who noted that fluid and dietary restrictions make travel difficult.
Molloy underwent four-hour hemodialysis sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, requiring him to set aside entire days once travel and waiting times were included. The physical toll left him unable to stay warm and forced him to step back from his work on the farm, relying on family help and additional staff to manage daily operations.
Medical evaluations at Beaumont Hospital
Before any transplant discussions, Molloy had not yet placed himself on the list for a kidney transplant. His uncle Micheal, along with brother Martin and sister Claire, sat down to discuss putting themselves forward as living donors, according to the Offaly Independent report. Micheal first visited Beaumont Hospital in October 2025 to begin medical and psychological evaluations.
Living organ donation offers the primary benefit of a reduced wait time, according to Professor De Freitas. Over several months, Micheal underwent rigorous testing and spoke with doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists regarding the physical and psychological risks of parting with a kidney. He admitted that he did not think twice about the decision initially, though he later reflected on whether he should have involved his own four children in the discussion in case they required a kidney in the future.
Molloy and Gleeson recover after simultaneous surgery
Surgeons operated on Molloy and Gleeson simultaneously on Monday, July 20, transferring the organ directly between them. Both men were walking by the following day. Gleeson was discharged home on Friday, and Molloy returned home on Saturday, during a week when theirs was the only donation procedure performed at the hospital.
Live organ donation recoveries typically span six weeks for donors and about 12 weeks for recipients. Gleeson stated that his primary fear throughout the process was that the kidney might fail. Twelve weeks post-surgery, both men shared their recovery details over breakfast in Offaly, expressing strong praise for the surgical, nursing, and ancillary staff at Beaumont Hospital.
Financial support concerns for living donors
While Gleeson has no regrets about the donation, he raised concerns regarding the Living Organ Donor Reimbursement Scheme, which is currently capped at €15,000 and limited to a 12-week window. He suggested that authorities extend the financial support period to six months so that donors do not lose out while taking time off work to recover their strength.
Professor De Freitas described living donation as a massive, selfless gift received with deep respect. Looking ahead, Molloy plans to travel, return to farming, and resume normal daily routines that kidney failure had previously taken away.
Frequently asked questions about the Offaly kidney transplant
What specific diagnosis did Paul Molloy receive?
Doctors diagnosed Molloy with end-stage kidney disease in July 2024 after a routine medical procedure identified dangerously high blood pressure.
How long did Paul Molloy require dialysis before his transplant?
Molloy started hemodialysis in February 2025 and underwent the procedure three days a week until his uncle donated a kidney in July.
What financial scheme did Micheal Gleeson suggest reviewing?
Gleeson called for a review of the Living Organ Donor Reimbursement Scheme, suggesting the current 12-week cap and €15,000 limit should extend to six months to better protect donors from financial loss during recovery.