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14th Jul 2016

WATCH: Tipperary Dad given trip to Australia as a birthday present, his reaction is solid gold

Conor Heneghan

“Fu**in’ Australia!”

Oliver Brereton, originally from Rathcabbin in Tipperary, turned 70 years old on Wednesday and his family wanted to get him something extra special to mark the occasion.

Oliver’s two sisters have lived in Australia for decades having moved there at an early age and though he’s always dreamed of paying them a visit, his job as a mechanic (the go-to man within a 20-mile radius we’re told) has kept him too busy and he’s never had time to make the trip.

To mark his 70th, Oliver’s family, now living in Shinrone in Offaly, clubbed together and all chipped in for a three-week holiday to Australia in September so Oliver could visit his sisters and their extended families.

On Wednesday, they sat him down and presented him with what was a pretty decent present. This is guaranteed to put a smile on your face…

At first, Oliver reacted with plenty of humour – joking about having to survive such a long trip without a fag – but the emotional significance soon became clear as he realised he’ll soon be reunited with his sisters, probably, as his daughter Amy tells us, for the last time.

Oliver’s reaction is solid gold and will strike a chord with the many Irish people who haven’t seen their own siblings or family members in a long, long time because of the impact of emigration on this country.

We hope he has a lovely trip.

Cheers to Amy Brereton for sending this our way. Got a story for JOE? Hit us up on Facebook or Twitter, send it to our WhatsApp number 087-4001102 or mail [email protected].

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