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Broadcaster Gareth O’Callaghan shares health status after severe car accident | BreakingNews.ie

Celebrity broadcaster, Gareth O’Callaghan, recently gave a health update to his fans following a serious car crash that left him hospitalized. The 59-year-old was involved in the accident back in August 2020 and has spent the last few months undergoing numerous surgeries and treatments. In a heartfelt post on social media, the presenter explained the impact the crash has had on his health and thanked his followers for their well wishes and support throughout his recovery. This article will delve deeper into Gareth’s health update and shed light on the impact of car accidents on mental and physical health.


Broadcaster and author Gareth O’Callaghan, well-known for his show on Classic HitsFM, has given an update on his health for the first time since he was involved in a serious car crash almost two weeks ago. Along with his wife Paula, and her daughter Emma, the family was involved in a car crash on Horgan’s Quay in Cork 12 days ago. The father of three has been recovering at Cork University Hospital (CUH) since the collision, where he was admitted for a broken back and a ruptured lung, among other injuries.

On March 17th, five days after the incident, the broadcaster took to social media to let the public know what had happened. The family was in heavy, slow-moving traffic on Horgan’s Quay at 2.45 pm when a car smashed directly into the back of theirs, destroying it in seconds. Following scans and further tests in CUH on Sunday night, he was told by the surgeons that he has a broken back, a ruptured lung, and some other injuries. Thankfully Paula and Emma, who managed to get free from the wreckage, are recovering at home from bad bruising and shock. They were able to collect some of their belongings from the wreckage.

On Friday morning, O’Callaghan posted a photo of himself in hospital and of the destruction caused to their SUV, sharing that he has been allowed to get out of his hospital bed for the first time. He thanks all the first responders who helped them last Sunday week. Mrs O’Callaghan also thanked the public for their outpouring of support. She said, “Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love and support for Gareth, my daughter and I. The crash was horrific, but we’re getting there. Gareth has a long road ahead, but we’re in it together.”

Gareth O’Callaghan is a famous Irish presenter, author, and writer. He is an accomplished professional known for his frankness and open-minded approach. In 2018, the broadcaster had announced his retirement following his diagnosis with the neurodegenerative illness, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), which has no cure. His return to radio came after a five-year gap, and he now presents a show every weekend. However, his injuries have been described as “very serious,” and as a result, he said he will have to take a break from his radio show “until I know what comes next.”

Throughout his career, O’Callaghan has been a truly inspiring and passionate broadcaster. He began his career in broadcasting in the mid-’80s and played an influential role in the Irish media industry. He was a key player in the launch of commercial radio in Ireland in 1989, when he worked for Classic Hits FM, later moving to 2fm in the 90s.

In 2015, O’Callaghan published his first book “The Weekend Dad”. His second book titled “I Forgot to Die” was released in October 2017. It is a powerful account of O’Callaghan’s life story and his battle with depression, self-doubt, and above all Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a very rare and degenerative neurological disorder. The disease affects various functions of the nervous system, ultimately giving rise to a set of problems which are quite complex and disabling, making life very difficult for those affected. Gareth’s diagnosis of MSA was a massive shock to him, and he announced his retirement from radio soon after.

Gareth has openly discussed his battle with the illness in the hope of raising awareness of this rare condition. He also set up a charity under the umbrella of the Irish Hospice Foundation called MSA Trust Ireland.

Throughout his career, Gareth O’Callaghan has always been an inspiring and passionate broadcaster. He is renowned for his passion and commitment to the industry, and his ability to connect with his audience. He is an author, writer and a great communicator, with a genuine ability to engage with people. With his diagnosis of MSA, O’Callaghan has become a beacon of hope for people with challenging illnesses, using his experience to raise awareness, funds, and inspire others.

We wish Gareth O’Callaghan, and his family a speedy recovery from the accident, and we hope to see him back on radio soon.


As we come to the end of this article, we are all rooting for Gareth O’Callaghan and wishing him a speedy recovery. Though he has faced some challenging times in recent years, his indomitable spirit continues to shine through. We can only hope that this latest health update marks the start of a brighter chapter for the Irish broadcaster, and that he can soon return to doing what he does best – entertaining and inspiring us all. Until then, let’s keep him in our thoughts and send him all our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

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