Claire Murray with her dad Mick

It is nearly a year since Perth woman Claire Murray died in a Singapore hospital, after complications caused by her second liver transplant.

The Irishwoman’s first liver transplant failed due to her heroin addiction. That addiction had at first barred her from a fresh place on Western Australia’s organ recipient list.

Her plight split Western Australians – some thought she deserved another chance, while others condemned the mother-of-two to her fate. What began as a young woman’s need for a life-saving procedure spiralled into a debate about drug addiction, government spending and healthcare policy.

Amid the vitriolic editors’ letters and talkback rants, few people took account of Claire’s story.

She was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and was subsequently prescribed dexamphetamines, which help with concentration.

Claire’s father Mick, who originally hails from Balgriffin in Dublin, felt that his daughter’s early encounters with prescription drugs led to her eventual struggle with heroin.

Mick spoke to the Echo a week before his daughter passed away.

“She was on these [prescription drugs] for a period of 12 to 18 months.

“We’re convinced that this was the beginning of Claire’s drug addiction, because it went downhill from there.

“Claire was on the methadone programme when she was admitted to hospital the first time for her failed liver.

“She had to go off that immediately for the liver transplant to happen,” he said at the time.

In need of a second liver transplant, Claire and her family were eventually given a $258,000 interest-free loan from the WA government. It was not enough to spare Claire’s life.

On April 1 2010, the young mother died in Singapore hospital after surgery to remove blood that had clotted around her heart.

Since their daughter’s death, the Murray family’s loss has been compounded by ongoing doubt over the repayment of the government loan. Just days after their daughter’s death, they were told that they had two years to repay.

The Claire We Care Fund is the legacy that remains. The registered charity aims to help families in crisis, to promote organ donation and to create a drug awareness program for the young.

On April 1, the charity marks the first anniversary of Claire’s death with a fundraising ball in Perth’s Convention Centre.

Tickets for the ball cost $150 and are available until March 25 by emailing michaelmurray@iinet.au

Those wishing to donate to the Claire We Care Fund can also do so by money transfer to BSB number 01-63-55, Account number 369844377. All donations are tax deductible and the ABN number is 97152447838.

By Luke O’Neill

Claire Murray pictured with her dad Mick before she flew to Singapore.

Claire Murray, the young Irish Australian mother-of-two who underwent a controversial ‘live liver’ transplant in Singapore last month has died.

Claire, the daughter of Dubliner parents Mick and Valerie, made headlines when she was refused a place on the waiting list for a donor organ in her native Western Australia because she is a heroin addict. Claire was given a new liver last year but the organ failed after she succumbed to her addiction.

The Murray family was given a $258,000 interest-free loan by the WA government to cover  the costs of a live liver transplant in Singapore, which comes with significant risks to both donor and recipient.

Claire’s aunt Carolynn donated part of her liver but after coming through the operation two weeks ago, Ms Murray was rushed back into intensive care on Tuesday after developing a serious infection.

She dies on Thursday at noon, Singapore time.

Claire’s dad Mick, who is from Balgriffin, is well-known to the Perth Irish community through his involvement with the Shamrock Rovers soccer club and played for them in the ’80s and early ’90s.

Claire is survived by her two young children.

A support account has been set up for Claire’s family to help them repay the loan to the Western Australian government.

Claire We Care   ABN 97152447838   BSB 016355   Account no 369844377

by Billy Cantwell

Claire Murray, pictured above with father Mick, from Balgriffin in Dublin, has undergone a life-saving transplant operation.

Perth mother-of-two Claire Murray has received a potentially life-saving ‘live liver’ transplant and is said to be recovering well in hospital.

The 24-year-old would have died within months had she not had the operation, but she now has a lifeline, while friends and family have set up a fund to help her along the way called the ‘Claire We Care Fund’.

Claire was originally refused a place on the waiting list for a donor organ in her native Western Australia because she is a heroin addict. She was given a new liver last year but the organ failed after she succumbed to her addiction.

The Murray family were then given a $258,000 interest-free loan by the WA government to cover the costs of the procedure, which came with significant risks to both donor – her Dubliner mum Valerie – and recipient.

Claire’s plight divided WA. Many callers to talkback radio and letter writers to local newspapers have supported the WA Department of Health decision not to offer Claire a second transplant.

Claire’s father Mick, from Balgriffin in Dublin, said that it had been prescription medication that had led to his daughter’s initial drug addiction.

“Claire was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and she was prescribed dexamphetamines at a very young age,” he said.

“She was on these for a period of 12 to 18 months. We’re solidly convinced that that was the beginning of Claire’s drug addiction, because it spiralled downhill from there.

“Claire was on the methadone programme when she was admitted to hospital the first time for her failed liver. She had to go off that immediately for the liver transplant to happen.

“Ten days after the liver transplant Claire was (discharged) from hospital. People will argue that Claire did get support, and she did. She talked to drug and alcohol counsellors. They’ve written to me and I’ve got documentation to say that there was,” he said.

Mr Murray says his daughter “fell through the cracks”.

“I have asked the question was the ADHD responsible and if that was who was responsible for that? Was it the medical authorities, and if it is the medical authorities are they obliged to fix it, and did they fix it with the first transplant? Yes, they did and we’re very grateful for that.

“(But) should Claire have been put into a rehabilitation centre? Yes, she should. Did she still have an addiction? Yes, she had. Where can we go from there? We can ask them if, genuinely, after spending that time and money, do they believe that my daughter doesn’t need another chance,” he asked.

Mr Murray is well-known to the Perth Irish community through his involvement with the Shamrock Rovers soccer club and played for them in the ’80s and early ’90s.

Those wishing to donate to the ‘Claire We Care Fund’ can do so by money transfer to BSB number 01-63-55, Account number 369844377.

All donations are tax deductable and the ABN number is 97152447838.

Dubliner Mick Murray, pictured in a Perth hspital on Monday with daughter Claire, is hoping to donate part of his liver to save her life.

Perth mother-of-two Claire Murray  will travel to Singapore with her Dubliner mum, Valerie for a potentially life-saving ‘live liver’ transplant.

The 24-year-old will die within months if she does not have the operation. However, she has been refused a place on the waiting list for a donor organ in her native Western Australia because she is a heroin addict. Claire was given a new liver last year but the organ failed after she succumbed to her addiction.

The Murray family has been given a $258,000 interest-free loan by the WA government to cover  the costs of the procedure, which comes with significant risks to both donor and recipient.

It’s understood that Channel Nine has negotiated an exclusive deal with the family for the Sixty Minutes current affairs show. As a result, the Murrays are restricted from speaking to other media.

“It’s our last chance,” Claire’s dad Mick Murray told the Irish Echo from Claire’s hospital ward before the Channel Nine deal was sealed. “Claire looks fine but her blood tests are telling a different story. She is deteriorating day by day.”

Mr Murray said he was prepared to offer his life for his daughter, who has two young children.

“I’m 55 years of age so I’ve lived a good full life. It’s for one of your kids. I never gave it a second thought,” he said.

However, it later emerged that Claire’s dad was an unsuitable donor. Claire’s mum Valerie did match as did her aunt who is also travelling to Singapore for the operation.

Claire’s plight has divided WA. Many callers to talkback radio and letter writers to local newspapers have supported the WA Department of Health decision not to offer Claire a second transplant.

Online polls were running three-to-one against Claire receiving any help from the WA government.

Mr Murray says prescription medication led to his daughter’s initial drug addiction.

“Claire was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and she was prescribed dexamphetamines at a very young age,” he said.

“She was on these for a period of 12 to 18 months. We’re solidly convinced that that was the beginning of Claire’s drug addiction, because it spiralled downhill from there,” he told ABC Radio.

“Claire was on the methadone programme when she was admitted to hospital the first time for her failed liver.
“She had to go off that immediately for the liver transplant to happen.

“Ten days after the liver transplant Claire was (discharged) from hospital. People will argue that Claire did get support, and she did. She talked to drug and alcohol counsellors.

“They’ve written to me and I’ve got documentation to say that there was,” he said.

Mr Murray says his daughter “fell through the cracks”.

“I have asked the question was the ADHD responsible and if that was who was responsible for that? Was it the medical authorities, and if it is the medical authorities are they obliged to fix it, and did they fix it with the first transplant? Yes, they did and we’re very grateful for that.

“(But) should Claire have been put into a rehabilitation centre? Yes, she should. Did she still have an addiction? Yes, she had. Where can we go from there? We can ask them if, genuinely, after spending that time and money, do they believe that my daughter doesn’t need another chance,” he asked.

Mr Murray, who is from Balgriffin, is well-known to the Perth Irish community through his involvement with the Shamrock Rovers soccer club and played for them in the ’80s and early ’90s.

by Pádraig Collins and Billy Cantwell