'Hateful handwritten letter' sent to organ donation campaigners Mac Gabhann family

The family of Dáithí Mac Gabhann have received a 'hateful handwritten letter' following their successful campaign to reform Northern Ireland's organ donation law through Dáithís law.

The DUP leader hit out at the abuse saying those behind it "had no heart".

In a post on social media the Mac Gabhann family said they were extremely disappointed" to receive a "hateful handwritten anonymous letter" in the post on Wednesday.

They said the matter had been reported to the police.

"Our family and campaign will not tolerate such behaviour and if it continues, further action will be taken," they said in a social media post.

Politicians took to social media in support of the Mac Gabhann family.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson tweeted: "Such hatred directed against this wonderful, community spirited family is utterly disgusting.

"It will not detract from all that they have achieved through their campaign. I pray that Dáithí gets his new heart. "Sadly, the person who sent this doesn’t have a heart!"

While Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill tweeted: "Thinking of you all. Stay strong xx"

Daithi's Law passed a vote in the House of Commons last month meaning Northern Ireland will now adopt an opt out approach to organ donation.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The six-year-old has been on the list to get a heart transplant for around five years

The law which was passed in Westminster last month will go live in June.

In a statement the PSNI said: "Police received a report of a letter received by a family in Ballymurphy this morning (Wednesday). The letter contained sectarian remarks and is being dealt with as a hate incident.

"The recipients of the letter have received appropriate advice from local police."

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