Donegal-based senator Eileen Flynn speaks of surviving …

Eileen Flynn addressing the Seanad this week. (Photo: Oireachtas)

The senator, who lives in Ardara, spoke of how on October 22, 2000, only nine days after her mother had passed away the van in which she and her uncle were travelling was diverted underneath an 18 foot bus following a collision with another vehicle on the Kylemore Road in Dublin.

"I was left in intensive care for five days. I spent nearly two years of my life in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, in St. Joseph's ward and I know exactly how lucky I am to be alive today.

"It is not a sad story; 23 operations later, I am still here and I am so lucky to be able to tell this story. I know what consequences a collision can have on an individual. I am nearly 34 years of age and still today I suffer chronic pain.

Donegal-based senator Eileen Flynn has spoken of surviving a catastrophic road accident at age 10 during a debate on road safety in the Seanad. (Photo: Halfpoint - stock.adobe.com)

"I suffer with my back and all the left side of my body. I genuinely support the campaigns for people to slow down and to be cautious on the road. I support any positive action for better road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and for drivers,” she said.

Decades after her miraculous survival Senator Flynn passed her driving test in Donegal.

“Thankfully, I built up the courage. I have to drive because I live in rural Ireland. I did the driving test in Donegal and passed it first time. There was a long wait for it. I now drive from Donegal to Dublin,” she stated.