Letterkenny teacher Jamie Timoney was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December 2023, having experienced symptoms for several months.

On a December morning in 2023, the day started out like any other for Jamie Timoney. The Letterkenny man walked into his classroom to teach English at Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Claregalway, Co Galway, as he did every day.

At some point, Jamie had a class of sixth year students, no doubt preparing for their mock Leaving Cert exams coming up after the Christmas break. As the class wrapped up and students headed out the door, one boy made a comment to Jamie that would change his life in that moment.

“He said, ‘Sir, no offence but you look terrible’,” says Jamie. The comment wasn’t intended to be cheeky – rather, the student was genuinely concerned for Jamie’s health.

Thinking this was an odd comment, Jamie relayed it back to the other teachers in the staffroom jokingly. However, Jamie knew from the silence in the room that it was no laughing matter.