Austin Darragh
Austin Darragh | |
---|---|
Born | Practitioner | 27 April 1927
Years active | 1954–2002 |
Known for | Irish Cancer Society |
Spouses |
|
Children | 5; including Paul |
Austin Darragh (27 April 1927 – 4 October 2015) was an Irish medical practitioner, entrepreneur, broadcaster and writer. He is notable for being the sole founder of the Irish Cancer Society in 1963, and being the radio doctor on The Gay Byrne Show.[1]
Early life and history
Darragh was born on 27 April 1927
to a teaching father, and he spent most of his childhood life in the1987 kidnapping ordeal
In 1987, Darragh's son-in-law John O'Grady, who was a dentist, was kidnapped by Dessie O'Hare's gang.[1] The gang had intended to seize Austin himself, but Darragh had moved three years previously from the house, which was occupied by O'Grady. Due to O'Hare demanding a ransom of IR£1.5m and not getting it, O'Hare chopped O'Grady's pinky finger on each hand with a hammer and chisel.[4]
Death
Darragh died at his home, Tara Beg located near the Hill of Tara in County Meath, on 4 October 2015 , aged 88. He was buried in a plot at Rathfeigh Cemetery where his son and wife are also buried near his residence.
References
- ^ a b Clavin, Terry (September 2023). "Darragh, Austin". Dictionary of Irish Biography.
- ^ "Doctor and entrepreneur whose life was touched by tragedy". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
- ^ "Our sympathies to family of Austin Darragh, founder of the Irish Cancer Society". www.cancer.ie. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
- ^ "Notorious Des O'Hare to leave jail". Irish Examiner. 10 December 2002. Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2017 – via archives.tcm.ie.