A WELL known Tralee musician and soccer player, needs help in Canada with his medical bills, after sustaining second and third degree burns from a chip pan fire accident.

Ruadhan Hennessy, a former resident of Gallowsfield and Blennerville, has been living and working in Canada for the past two years.

When a chip pan caught fire in Ruadhan’s kitchen last week, he quickly removed it from the room, but in doing so slipped on a pool of water on the way out the house.

The slip caused oil to fall on both his legs. Splashback also landed on his chest and neck causing second and third degree burns. As his skin began to peel soon afterwards, it became clear he was in need of urgent medical attention.

The pain and stress of suffering such an accident is one thing, but what has transpired since has put Ruadhan and his wife Siobhan along with her two children, one of whom is autistic, in a more precarious position.

When Ruadhan came to Canada on a two year visa, he had travellers insurance which covered him until his visa expired in June.

Ruadhan and Siobhan applied for permanent residency with Siobhan sponsoring him so he could continue to live and work in Canada legally.

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However, due to his work permit taking up to 3-4 months to process, they have not received it as of yet. Now, health insurers in Canada will not cover his skin graph operations without a work permit.

Due to the injuries, Ruadhan has had to take time off work without pay and is now looking at mounting bills reaching upwards of $10,000 (€6810.59)

Ruadhan, is a well known face on the soccer pitches of Kerry having played for a number of clubs over the years, he is also an accomplished lead guitarist.

Both of these talents he has brought to Canada and achieved success with both on the pitch with local side, Calgary Foothills Darts, and on the stages of Calgary, with his band ‘Blades of Steel’ who are currently in the process of recording an album.

Friends of Ruadhan’s have set up a ‘Go Fund Me’ page to help with Ruadhan’s climbing medical costs and the current situation he faces. You can donate to it HERE