'I love my superhero legs', says boy who 'inspires everyone around him'

Image caption, Dáibhin had to have both his legs amputated last year By Keiron Tourish North-west reporter, BBC News NI Published 30 June 2026 Just over a year ago, four-year-old Dáibhin's life changed when he was rushed to hospital with a high temperature. Doctors discovered he had sepsis, and a month later he needed a double amputation. Now, fitted with prosthetic limbs, he is enjoying playing with his nursery classmates. "I love my superhero legs and all my friends," he said. "They're amazing!" At the end of term, Dáibhin's school dedicated a day to him, with his classmates dressing up as superheroes in his honour. His mum, Gemma McConnell, said he had the time of his life enjoying lemonade and cake and playing in the bouncy castles in his own superhero outfit. But in May last year she thought her world was falling apart when Dáibhin woke up with a temperature she couldn't bring down. Image caption, Dáibhin's mother Gemma said she feared her son was going to die at one point during his illness "We took him to A&E and his arm started going purple," she said. "A doctor then told us that he needed to go to resuscitation." Dáibhin was put on life support in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where doctors said he had sepsis. It was caused by meningococcal disease , external , a serious bacterial infection which most commonly affects children under five. Meningococcal bacteria causes most childhood cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and Ireland. "At one stage we thought we were going to lose him," McConnell said. "It was frightening thinking that he could die. "We were told to get our family and the priest to the hospital. He was given loads of transfusions." In June, Dáibhin had a double amputation. His mum said she was glad he was alive but it was a very difficult time. 'It doesn't bother him at all' Image source, Family handout Image caption, Dáibhin started nursery last September But since then, Dáibhin has got on with life - and started nursery as planned last September. "He just flies about. It doesn't bother him at all," McConnell said. "He loves school and all his friends." She added that his friends included him in everything - and he was "really excited" for the day dedicated to him at school, Steelstown Primary in Londonderry. She said it was "an amazing idea" and she was grateful for the support her son had received. "It's unbelievable. He loved every moment. "To think at one stage we thought we were going to lose him when he was on life support. I was really afraid." Now, Dáibhin is heading for Primary One in September and "can't wait". Image caption, Dáibhin's school paid tribute to his courage and resilience following the operation School principal, Catherine Dourish, said that few could have imagined what would happen to Dáibhin. "In May last year, he was a happy, healthy little boy eagerly looking forward to starting nursery," she said. "Then, in a moment, life changed dramatically as he became