THE family of Connemara pony enthusiast Colm Costello (28) has been overwhelmed by the support offered since the popular Ballinamore man was hospitalised last August.

“Colm was over in America with Niamh, his girlfriend, visiting his aunt and just wasn’t feeling well when he got home,” explained his father Paul. Referred from Cavan General Hospital to St Vincent’s, Colm was placed in an induced coma as doctors, with the help of Oxford University, narrowed down the cause of his illness to a rare autoimmune disorder.

Since then, Paul and his wife Mary, have undertaken almost daily round trips to Dublin to visit Colm, whose hospital room is filled with get well cards. Colm had also undergone a liver transplant in the same hospital 10 years ago, however his family have stressed that this is in no way connected with his current condition.

“He’s always been quietly proud of having undergone a transplant and would have a Mass said every year for his donor,” said his proud father. Colm’s uncle Sean and grandfather Eddie are looking after the Connemara ponies owned by the keen exhibitor, seen here in 2015 at Mohill Show with Killaneen Boy.

A fund-raising dance and auction takes place tonight (Saturday) in the Commercial Hotel, Ballinamore with a wide range of prizes and stallion nominations donated by local businesses and over 50 Connemara pony owners. Donations can also be made to a GoFundMe page and updates on Colm’s progress can be followed on the Colm Costello Recovery Fund Facebook page.