A Dublin man who suffered a traumatic spinal injury said his independence has been taken from him, as he has been told he is not eligible for disability allowance.

Eoghan Gorman was left paralysed from the shoulders down after a mountain biking accident in 2021, when he was just 23 years old.

“I only got my final discharge in July just passed there, July 2024,” he told Lunchtime Live.

“So, that was... I don’t even know how many years; I lost count it got to that many.

“They did all they could really and with this injury, unfortunately it’s not curable, but it's not something you can really work past either.

“You’re kind of set, whatever happens and the amount of damage you’ve done is permanent and there’s no real rehabilitation.”

Doctor holding documents in front of crying wife and patient in hospital room. Image: Hanna Kuprevich / Alamy. 18 October 2019

While Mr Gorman was initially afforded a disability allowance during his hospital stay, it has since been cancelled after a recent means test found that his partner Saoirse, who he lives with, earns more than €386 a week.

This puts the couple above the allowance threshold under guidelines set out by the Department of Social Protection.

“Anyone I’ve talked to doesn’t understand how it’s justified because Saoirse, she just works a standard office job, she’s by no means a millionaire,” Mr Gorman said.

“Ireland’s not getting any cheaper, and I only think people realise if you have a disability or if you’re in a scenario like mine, how expensive it actually becomes for just additional things.

“Like, all medication isn’t covered by a medical card or even by some schemes.”

Travel pass

Mr Gorman’s travel pass was also cancelled alongside his disability allowance.

“Everything is gone,” he said.

“They’ve taken everything from me.”

According to Mr Gorman, his condition prevents him from finding employment, and so he no longer has any ability to achieve financial independence.

Main image: Eoghan Gorman. Image: Supplied.