WATCH: Laois boy who beat leukemia turns on Christmas lights
Published 5th Dec 2025, 22:33 GMT
Mountmellick tree lit up by Cathail and his mam Carer of The Year Sarah Dooley
A little Laois boy who has beaten leukaemia, with his mam were special guests to turn on Mountmellick Christmas lights on Late Late Toy Show night. Cathail Houlihan and Sarah Dooley switched on the tree, which is promised to be replaced by a bigger, permanent structure in 2026, answering community wishes after the town's famous old tree had to be dismantled for safety reasons.
There was a special cheer for another local little boy going through cancer treatment, Leon Westman, and a remembrance of Christmas Tree Committee members who passed on this year, Brian Lynch and Trish Kelley. Chair Paddy Buggy spoke, with ecumenical prayers from four local church leaders.