Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Sunday 17°CMonday 16°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Lead StoriesNews

Donegal man horrifically injured abroad seeks help to get home

written by Rachel McLaughlin May 4, 2017
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

A young man from Raphoe was involved in a horrific accident in Laos is appealing for help to get home for vital medical treatment.

Jonathan Dunne, aged 25, was travelling the world and volunteering when his dream adventure turned into a nightmare.

WARNING: Some images contain graphic content.

On the 29th March 2017, in the small town of Vang Vieng, Laos, Southeast Asia, Jonathan was involved in a motorbike crash involving a Tuk-tuk and another 16 year old motorbike driver. The other driver sadly passed away in hospital days after the horror crash. Jonathan was thankfully wearing a helmet, which he believed saved his life.

Jonathan sustained serious injuries including several broken bones in his leg, major skin loss, a broken shoulder and total loss of movement in his right arm. He faces the uncertainty about his arm injury being permanent if it is discovered that it is associated with nerve damage.

The young man is currently out of hospital recovering, but has been forced to appeal to friends, family, fellow travellers and strangers to support him as he tries to get home. As well as extreme physical injuries, Jonathan is facing rising medical costs and legal fees.

Jonny out of hospital

Jonathan has set up a GoGetFunding page to try and raise €5,000 to pay for his transport back to Ireland and to cover fees and specialist treatment. (gogetfunding.com/help-bring-jonny-home/)

The former UnitedHealth Group worker quit his 9-5 office job 13 months ago to travel the world.

In his online appeal, Jonny wrote about how he pursued his dream of travelling before tragedy struck: “I wanted to see all the beautiful places the world had to offer, experience many different cultures and have fun with like-minded travellers along the way,” he said.

Volunteering in Borneo teaching English to local children

Volunteering in Borneo teaching English to local children

“On the 29th March 2016 I left Ireland alone with a one way ticket and since then have explored many amazing places such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia as well as volunteering with abandoned animals on a ranch in Antalya, Turkey and helping teach English to children in Borneo.

Jonny went on a 3 month volunteering trip in Antalya, Turkey where he looked after abandoned animals on a ranch.

“In October 2016 my trip brought me to a magical little town called Vang Vieng in Laos. I fell in love and decided I would stay for a little while,” he said.

Prior to the accident, Jonny worked as a DJ in Sakura Bar. He celebrated his 25th birthday in Vang Vieng, Laos with all his workmates and friends.

Jonny’s 25 Birthday

The tragic accident immediately turned Jonathan’s life upside down. His incredible adventures have become a desperate nightmare for him as he battles his injuries and attempts to appeal to kind-hearted locals and the Donegal community to help him in any way possible.

“I would really appreciate any help that can be given to bring me back home to Ireland, help with medical costs and legal fees here in Laos and also for specialist treatment for my arm when I do return home and aftercare such as physical therapy.

“I am blessed to have wonderful friends here in Laos looking after me, but ultimately I need to come home as soon as possible to seek proper medical treatment in Ireland.

“Any donation large or small would be much appreciated in helping with my recovery or even just a simple share on your Facebook page,” he said.

Jonathan has raised almost €1,700 of his €5,000 target at the time of publishing. His fundraising page has been gaining momentum as his story is heard by more people.

If you would like to help bring Jonny home, click the link here: https://gogetfunding.com/help-bring-jonny-home/

 

Donegal man horrifically injured abroad seeks help to get home was last modified: May 4th, 2017 by Rachel McLaughlin
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
accidentappealfundraiserjonathan dunnelaos
Rachel McLaughlin

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

€1,000 college fees hike a “suckerpunch” for...

25 minutes ago

Charles Ward opens first 100% Redress Party...

3 hours ago

Falcarragh Summer Cup launch new memorial cup...

4 hours ago

Letterkenny drug-driver put off the road

4 hours ago

Stunning response to community fundraiser for tragic...

5 hours ago

Alert: Windyhall road in Letterkenny to be...

5 hours ago

Pvt Sean Rooney’s inquest hears Defence Forces...

5 hours ago

Traffic advice issued ahead of annual Conwal...

6 hours ago

Blaney family celebrates 100 years as Donegal...

20 hours ago

Rory Gallagher Festival gets green light for...

23 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.