LETTERKENNY Town Mayor Jean Crossan joined a representative group to welcome show-jumper John Hannan to Letterkenny last Saturday.

John suffers from a genetic disorder called alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency and is traveling the length of Ireland on horseback in a bid to raise awareness of this condition. He has traveled from Mizen Head with six horses and a team of supporters.

The horses arrived in Letterkenny on Friday night and were stabled and cared for by Mr Seamus Mc Caffrey from Corkey, Manaorcunningham.

"We really need to raise awareness of this condition and let people know that screening for the condition is available free of charge from Beaumont Hospital. It is hoped to arrange an information seminar in Letterkenny in the near future," Mayor Crossan said.

Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency, which is genetic in origin, causes emphysema in affected individuals, and may also cause cirrhosis of the liver. Unfortunately, little is known of this condition in Ireland and experts feel many people die of it unknown to themselves or their doctors. If a person is a smoker and develops emphysema in most cases it is assumed that the cause is smoking.

In Ireland at the moment there are 79 diagnosed with the condition but some believe there may be thousands of sufferers. It is important that the condition is correctly diagnosed as early as possible, so that appropriate care may be given.

Information on the condition is available for the Alpha-1 Foundation at Beaumont Hospital (01-8093871) or at www.alpha1.ie