A brave Irishman has returned home after a 66-day stint in hospital battling Covid-19.
Thomas (Tom) Gallagher, 54, from Dunmore Road in Waterford, told how he felt like kissing the tarmac as he made a triumphant return to his home on Tuesday.
He was seriously ill and had to be admitted to intensive care twice as he fought the deadly virus in University Hospital Waterford.
Thomas' neighbours and friends came out to give him a warm welcome, as he arrived home.
Thomas told WLR FM: "I felt so proud to come up the road with my brother in the car and to see all my neighbours and friends out on the green.
"And my family here, all waiting for me. It made my day. I was looking forward to it, to be honest, my daughter kept saying to me, 'Dad, you're not going to have a big do now' and I kept saying no but in the back of my mind I wanted to be with people, you know.
"Even when I was in hospital like, all they kept saying to me was, 'Thomas you can't take in oxygen and talk at the same time!' I'm used to talking.
"I was going to get out and do impressions of Pope John Paul but I said I'd better not", he joked.
Thomas revealed he has lost weight after being on a ventilator twice and feels tired but is delighted to be recuperating at home.
However, he admitted his lungs "took a fair good hammering" during the ordeal.
Thomas said: "I was strong enough to get through it and thanks to the staff, all the medical staff, from the consultants down to the cleaners.
"I pass that hospital ten times a day but I have a different respect for it now.
"When you come that close to death, you have a different outlook on life. I'll grab my second chance now with both hands.
"It's a great feeling today to be home."
