The Mac Gabhann family of west Belfast, known for their tireless advocacy for organ donation, faced a devastating ordeal this week when their family car was stolen in the early hours of December 17, 2025. The theft, which occurred outside their home on Whitecliff Crescent, sent shockwaves through the local community and drew widespread attention due to the unique challenges faced by the family’s youngest member, Dáithí.
Dáithí Mac Gabhann, just a young boy, has become a symbol of hope and change in Northern Ireland. For seven years, he has waited for a life-saving heart transplant. Alongside his parents, Máirtín and Seph, Dáithí has inspired ‘Dáithí’s Law,’ a landmark piece of legislation passed in 2023 aimed at increasing organ donation rates across the region. According to BBC News NI, Northern Ireland had previously been the only part of the United Kingdom without this type of organ donation system, making the Mac Gabhann family’s advocacy all the more significant.
The events of December 17 unfolded quickly but left a lasting impact. As the family slept, thieves made off with their car—packed with Christmas presents and, most crucially, Dáithí’s wheelchair. The gravity of the situation hit home when Máirtín awoke to find the vehicle missing. "Just that utter shock of the car not being there is hard to explain," he told BBC News NI. At first, he hoped it was a prank, but neighbors’ CCTV confirmed the harsh reality: the car had been stolen around 03:50 GMT.
The loss of Dáithí’s wheelchair was particularly devastating. As Máirtín explained, his son "can’t live without, can’t go to school, get on with his day, or even leave the house" without it. The family’s daily routine was thrown into chaos. "Our whole day then changes because Dáithí can't go to school, he can't go outside, he can't go anywhere," Máirtín shared with BBC Radio Ulster. The timing, so close to Christmas, made the ordeal even more painful. "We’re absolutely devastated, especially at this time of year," the family posted on their Donate4Dáithí page, adding, "We won’t let this ruin the magic for Dáithí, but it’s hard not to feel that something really special has been taken from us."
The theft also had immediate emotional consequences. The family, already dealing with the stress of Dáithí’s health and ongoing campaigns, now faced the loss of cherished holiday moments. Máirtín missed his son’s Christmas school play because he was dealing with the aftermath of the theft. "I'm gutted to imagine him looking out into the audience and not seeing his dad there," he admitted, describing how he broke down in tears when a cousin sent him a video of Dáithí’s smiling face during the performance. "Presents can be replaced... but memories can't be replaced."
Despite the adversity, the Mac Gabhanns refused to let the incident darken their spirits. "Our Dáithí has been through so much in his young life that we will not let these actions affect our joy of Christmas," Máirtín insisted. The family’s resilience shone through as they tried to shield their two sons from the full emotional weight of the experience.
As news of the theft spread, the local community in Ballymurphy and across west Belfast rallied around the family. The outpouring of support was immediate and heartfelt. "Our community have wrapped their arms around us. Thank you," the family wrote on social media, expressing gratitude for the messages and practical help they received. Councillor Michael Donnelly and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were also singled out for their swift response and assistance.
The PSNI took the case seriously from the outset. Officers from the Auto Crime Team quickly began tracking the stolen vehicle, which was later spotted in the Andersonstown area. In dramatic scenes captured on social media, the suspect driver attempted to evade police by driving up a grass embankment at the Kennedy Centre. According to The Irish News, police blocked the vehicle and, in the process, two police cars and a car belonging to a member of the public were damaged.
Sergeant Quinn from Woodbourne’s Local Policing Team provided further details: "A report came in around 12:00 GMT of a suspicious vehicle in the Falls Road area, on police attendance it was noted to be the stolen vehicle. In an attempt to stop it, two police vehicles and a car belonging to a member of the public have been damaged." The police moved swiftly, arresting a 23-year-old man on suspicion of burglary and several driving-related offenses, as well as two women, aged 35 and 43, on suspicion of handling stolen goods. All three remained in custody as of Wednesday afternoon.
There was a measure of relief when the wheelchair was found and returned by police later that day. The family celebrated Dáithí’s reunion with his essential "set of wheels," as they called it, and posted their thanks online: "Thank you to the PSNI, who knocked the door a wee while ago and returned these set of wheels for the big man." According to UTV, the wheelchair had been dumped out of the car into someone’s house, but was safely recovered. Some of the stolen Christmas presents were also retrieved, though the emotional scars of the incident lingered.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Máirtín showed remarkable composure and empathy. "I managed to look one of the people arrested in the eye and I'm not carrying any anger towards them, I hope those that did this can find a better path in life," he told BBC News NI. He described the day as "surreal," noting that nothing like this had ever happened to his family before.
The Mac Gabhanns’ story is a reminder of the challenges faced by families living with chronic illness, and the ways in which a community can come together in times of crisis. It’s also a testament to the enduring spirit of a young boy who, despite waiting years for a new heart, continues to inspire hope and change far beyond his own home.
In the end, while the family lost some gifts and a sense of security, they gained a renewed appreciation for their neighbors, the police, and the simple joys of being together. The stolen wheelchair’s return meant Dáithí could get back to school and, perhaps most importantly, back to being a kid—something no thief could ever truly take away.
