An 80-year-old man who spent five months in hospital battling Covid-19 has received a hero's welcome home in Co Offaly today.
Joe Kelly from Killeigh spent 51 days in intensive care and his family were told he had a 50-50 chance of survival. Today, 127 days after he was admitted to hospital the 80-year-old returned home.
Family, neighbours and friends lined the road to welcome him back. Among those gathered were his four children, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. "A long road but we got there.
He beat it. We didn't think he would but he did. He’s such a strong man. He’s our hero," said his daughter Jackie Kinahan. There were emotional scenes as Joe Kelly greeted his family for the first time in months. "We thought we’d be